Web2forDev - Participatory Web for Development

Networking, collaborating and exchanging knowledge in agriculture, rural development and natural resources management

New deadlines

Because of significant and growing interest in the Web2forDev Conference (already over 80 proposals received by April 30), the Steering Committee has decided to keep the call for proposals open for another two weeks.

Call for proposals

Web2ForDev 2007 is the first Conference devoted to exploring the ways in which international development stakeholders can take advantage of the technical and organizational opportunities provided by Web 2.0 methods, approaches and applications.

The Conference will promote the adoption and dissemination of appropriate, low-cost and replicable Internet-based applications by actors in agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. It aims to inspire participants to use and develop their own information management and communication systems based on these applications.

The Conference targets agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management stakeholders, particularly those from developing countries, experienced with or interested in the potential of Web 2.0, including technology intermediaries, policy makers, information and communication specialists, software developers, application and system providers and information service providers. Participants are expected to have experience and understanding of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and to be in a position to understand, adopt and disseminate the showcased applications and approaches.

In particular we encourage proposals that are:

• Thematic case studies: 15/20 minute presentations on examples of projects and processes that are adopting Web 2.0 tools and methodologies and that evaluate their impacts, benefits and challenges;
• Thematic showcases: 15/20 minute presentations on Web 2.0 tools and methodologies developed for knowledge exchange, collaboration, learning and networking;
• Panel discussions: 30 minute exchanges that provide an overview of one or more cross-cutting issue; these will be debated by a group of panellists and facilitated by a chairperson.

The sessions should offer practical examples of Web 2.0 concepts and applications in knowledge exchange, collaboration, learning and networking in the sectors of agriculture, rural development and natural resource management.

Experiences and case studies from sectors other than development (e.g. education, private sector) that show potential for adoption can be presented. The focus is on innovation in common practices, opportunities, needs, and issues that participants may address more effectively with the adoption of Web 2.0 tools, methodologies and approaches.

Theme, topics and cross-cutting issues

The theme of the Conference is "Participatory Web for Development: Networking, collaborating and exchanging knowledge in agriculture, rural development and natural resources management".

There are three conference tracks dealing with the following main topics:

• Shared virtual spaces, remote collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Appropriate technologies for online publishing
• Online information retrieval and access

Cross-cutting issues speakers may want to address in their presentations, and particularly in panel discussions, are:

• Institutional capacity (IT infrastructure, human resources)
• Management
• Low-bandwidth access
• Intellectual property issues
• Disabling and enabling environments (infrastructural, connectivity, legal, cultural, human)
• Direct and indirect cost
• Security
• Visibility and promotion

How to submit proposals

• Fill out the proposal form for a case study or a showcase. 
• Alternatively, fill out the proposal form for a panel discussion.
• Submit your proposal by email to proposals@web2fordev.net by 14 May 2007.
• Your acceptance will be notified by 6 June 2007.

The content of the proposals will be treated with the utmost confidentiality by the Steering Committee members who will be in charge of the peer review.

In case of acceptance, please note:

• All work presented at the Conference (e.g. slideshows, handouts, flyers, brochures, pdf documents, MS Word documents, animation, videos) constitutes the original work of the author/presenter, and he/she is the owner of the copyright.
• All presenters and authors will retain non-exclusive intellectual property rights in their work.
• Presenters and authors agree to their Conference materials being disseminated freely on the Conference Web site during and after the Conference. A statement will be published prohibiting the use of any of the presentations for commercial purposes. Any part or whole of the works used for non-commercial purposes must carry due accreditation.

Sponsorships 

Accepted presenters or panellists from developing countries may apply for sponsorship to attend the Conference. Sponsorships will be granted at the discretion of the sponsoring agencies and will be subject to availability of funds.

Organizers

The conference is a joint venture by CTA, FAO, IICD, GTZ, ACP Secretariat, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Euforic, DGroups, CGIAR and IFAD. Read more about the Organizers.

For Conference-related announcements, join Web2ForDev Dgroup (English) or Web2PourDev Dgroup (Français)