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Open your mind to Ubuntu

Young people at the CYP Africa Centre Technology Empowerment Centre trying out Ubuntu

ICT4YD – Opensource Breaks the Shackles of ICTlessness

18 July 2008

CYP Africa Centre in its efforts to promote the use of ICT by young people provides free Internet access on OpenSource platform, Ubuntu

"Open Your Mind to Opensource - Ubuntu" is how the IT Cordinator themed the Open Source Month programme, and indeed, the mystery is vastly solved in the minds and hearts of the over 120 young people who have already participated in this month's unique offering by CYPRCA of free internet browsing, free Office Application usage and free ICT education - all on the platform of the FREE Ubuntu and Open Office. 

The ICT for Youth Development (ICT4YD) programme - currently in its pilot state - is an initiative that allows the Commonwealth Youth Programme Regional Centre for Africa test various approaches to meeting the ICT needs of young people across the Region. Under the programme's ambit are several initiatives including assistance to community schools, training institutions and youth development centres in the development and use of Open Education Resources (OERs) through collaborative efforts. The ICT4YD platform has so far brought together some 25 institutions to discuss mutual collaborative efforts in tutor and institutional capacity building.  

The whole month of July has been dedicated to bringing young people to realise the alternatives to closed software, as well as their use and availability. Ubuntu and Open Office, FREE and readily downloadable software have been installed. Any one using the TEC this month has access to Internet browsing, Word Processing Applications, Spread Sheet Applications and all other types of office applications the general public is used to. The only difference is that - they are FREE. 

ICT Initiatives

CYP is using information and communications technologies (ICT) as a mechanism to bridge the digital divide so that young people have access to ICT, irrespective of where they live or their socio-economic status. Improving young people’s ICT skills is also another way to reduce poverty and enhance their marketability and employability.

The over 120 young people who have assessed the facility are surprised that such FREE software were even available. According to Choolwe, a beneficiary from Handsworth, a community near the Centre, "my friends should here about this! I am wondering why anything could have been free when it offers the same package as what we used to pay for".  

At the start of this initiative, Brian Sikute, IT Coordinator, CYPRCA said, "spread the news, this programme will open the minds of all to the availability of alternatives apart from pirated software"  

"According to some conservative estimates, over 53% of softwares used across the world are pirated versions. Most of this is used in developing countries, and this is simply because people can't afford the proprietary (closed) softwares", says Victor Mensah, YESL Programme Manager. "Ensuring that people know that there are other alternatives, will give consumers the power to choose and make ICT cheaper in the long-run", he adds. 

Apart from the Open Source month, CYPRCA will seek to promote alternative and sustainable ICT for use in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and other fledging youth enterprises/organisations.  

The Open Source Month ends on 30th July 2008.

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