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From 5 to 8 October 2009 the International Development Research Centre's Acacia program initiative will host the Acacia Research and Learning Forum (ARLF) at Le Méridien Président in Dakar, Senegal. This event will gather approximately 150 invited research partners for an opportunity to network with other researchers, strengthen their research capacity, and share their learning about the role of information and communication technologies in accelerating development in Africa.

The core objectives for the ARLF are:

1. To share, discuss, and document outcomes and lessons learned from Acacia-supported projects;
2. To provide capacity development and networking opportunities;
3. To explore future research priorities in information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) in Africa.

The ARLF will showcase some of the most innovative and influential research conducted in the field of ICT4D. The four-day event is broadly structured to:

-      highlight project results and outcomes;
-      debate issues related to ensuring equitable access and use of ICTs;
-      explore current thinking and work on open innovation and innovation systems;
-      address the implications of networked societies; and,
-      discuss ideas and issues for stimulating equality across networked societies.

The ARLF will consist of plenary sessions that will assemble all participants, as well as smaller tutorials that will allow for more in-depth exploration and discussion. By bringing together Acacia program staff, partner organizations, and others involved in the development community, this event will provide an excellent opportunity for interaction between ICT4D researchers, practitioners and funders.

There will also be space for participants to share their experiences and the results of their work, offer their opinions and views, and take responsibility for leading discussions on topics of interest to them. This involves moving away from traditional conference formats such as panel presentations. Instead, the ARLF will incorporate a range of interactive approaches for group gatherings such as small group discussions, speed sharing, chat shows, the debate format and open space technology.

For information on how to use this website to participate in the ARLF, including its great features, click on the “HELP” button.

Acacia has been supporting innovative research on the application of ICTs to social and economic development in Africa since 1997. Acacia's research program has been receiving partner funding from the Department for International Development (DFID) since 2006.

Acacia

Last updated 162 days ago by Jennifer Vincent