Dear all,

We are pleased to inform you that in the context of the International Girls in ICT Day, CTA in collaboration with the African Youth Foundation (AYF) is organising an e-debate entitled “Enhancing Young Women’s engagement in ICT and Agriculture” on the ARDYIS discussion group (http://dgroups.org/groups/youth) from 16^th April – 7^th May 2014.

During the 3 weeks, several themes and questions will be addressed and some Key Matter Experts from different organisations will be participating in the debate and answering to youth’s questions.

Please find all the information on the e-Debate on this link (and below) : http://bit.ly/1iAJ89l

We count on your active and valuable contribution to the discussions. Please feel free to share this information with people in your network might be interested in the topic and invite them to our Dgroup: http://dgroups.org/groups/youth

Thanks and Regards,

Background

In 2011, the International Communication Union (ITU) launched the “Girls and ICT Day” to celebrate girls’ interests and strengths in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), and to encourage them to choose a career in this area. Since then, it is being celebrated on the 4th Thursday in April, through different events organised globally. In this context and in the framework of its ARDYIS project, the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), in collaboration with the African Youth Foundation (AYF) is organising an e-debate on Enhancing Young Women engagement in ICT and Agriculture.

Objectives

The objectives of this e-debate are to:

• Discuss the objectives and the use of ICT by young girls and women in the agricultural sector and share experiences from various ACP countries;
• Discuss the opportunities, challenges faced and perspectives regarding the use of ICT by young women in agriculture or ICT entrepreneurs offering services for the agricultural sector;
• Contribute to the celebration of the International Girls in ICT Day.

Target audience

The primary target group for this e-debate are youths (15 to 35 years) interested or involved in ICT or Agriculture, especially young girls and women. This includes women agropreneurs and women developing ICT solutions for agriculture. Organisations supporting young women in these activities are also targeted. Finally, any person or organisation interested or working in this area is most welcomed to join the debate. 

Where and When

The e-debate will take place from 16 April – 07 May 2014 on the discussion group of the ARDYIS (Agriculture, Rural Development and Youth in the Information Society) project: http://dgroups.org/groups/youth

Themes

Each week, the e-debate will be focused on a specific theme and questions.

Week 1: Understanding the use of ICTs in agricultural activities by young girls and women

• Question 1: How are young girls and women using ICTs in Agriculture? What are the tools used? For what purposes? What is the profile of the young women using ICTs in agriculture? (16 – 17 April 2014)
• Question 2: What are the challenges being faced by young girls and women in using ICT in agriculture, especially those living in rural areas? What information gaps do we have in this area and how can we bridge these gaps? What examples of national or regional projects supporting the use of ICT by young girls and women involved agriculture do we have? (18 – 22 April 2014)

Week 2: The use of ICTs for entrepreneurship by young women in Agriculture

• Question 3: Are young agricultural women entrepreneurs using ICTs in Agriculture to enhance their business? For which specific activities? Is it limited to using mobile phones or there are other channels used? (23 – 27 April 2014)
• Question 4: What challenges do women entrepreneurs face when using ICTs in Agriculture? How can these challenges be addressed so that more women entrepreneurs make use of ICTs?  How can they better use these tools in agri-business? Do we know projects or programmes supporting these kinds of activities? (28 – 29 April 2014)

Week 3 : Supporting women developing ICT applications for Agriculture

• Question 5: Young women from different ACP countries and regions are developing ICT applications for Agriculture. What examples do we have? What are the challenges faced? Are there more opportunities in this area? How do we increase our support to young women providing solutions for agriculture and address the challenges faced? Do we know projects or programmes supporting these kinds of activities? (30 April – 02 May 2014)

Week 3:  Conclusions and recommendations

Firstly, participants will be invited to share information on activities they might have implemented in the framework of the International Girls and ICT day. A review on the key points discussed throughout the debate will then be done. Participants will share their final ideas and recommendations to wrap-up the discussions. (05 - 07 May 2014)

Language

The e-debate will take place in English.

Facilitators

Ms. Twaambo Kapilishika - Dr. Paulyn Jansen, African Youth Foundation

Subject Matter Experts

The following subject matter experts will contribute to the debate and answer youth’s queries:

• Dhlamini Nodumo, Programme Manager - Information, Communication & Knowledge Management, RUFORUM
• Maureen Agena, Communication Consultant - ICT, Youth, Agriculture
• Tarikua G. Woldetsadick, Programme Coordinator (Jr), CTA
• Isaac Damptey, International Consultant, Women in Global Science and Technology (WISAT) & Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World
• Representative from Akirachix (TBC)
• Representative of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CAFAN)

Synthesis

A synthesis report of the e-debate will be prepared in English and French after the event and shared, including with ITU.

Join the debate

To follow or take part in the e-debate, interested participants have to be subscribed on the ARDYIS Dgroup. If not yet subscribed, kindly go to this link http://dgroups.org/groups/youth and register or send an email to ardyis-project@cta.int.

Mark your calendar and join us for this first e-debate series of the ARDYIS project! 

More Information

The objectives of the ARDYIS thematic e-debate series are to:

• support knowledge building of young people on ICT for agriculture issues;
• support their professional engagement in agriculture value chains;
• facilitate networking and the sharing of youth experiences on ARD and ICT within the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions.

The ARDYIS project is an initiative by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA). It aims to raise youth awareness and capacity on agricultural and rural development issues in ACP countries through ICTs. It is implemented in collaboration with an Advisory Committee which comprises FARA, AYF, CAFAN, SPC-PAFPNet, Yam-Pukri, ANAFE

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Download this announcement in pdf version: e-Debate: Enhancing Young Women’s engagement in ICT and Agricultur