First Annual SANGONeT "ICTs and Civil Society" Conference and Exhibition 1-3 March 2005

The Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT) will host its first annual
"ICTs
and Civil Society" conference and exhibition from 1-3 March 2005 at the
Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg.

Although many local conferences these days focus on ICT-related issues,
very
little dedicated attention is given to the relevance of ICTs to the CSO
sector.

Since its inception in 1987, SANGONeT has been at the forefront of
providing
information communication technology (ICT) services to Southern African
civil society organisations (CSOs), including non- governmental
organisations (NGOs), trade unions, donor and other development
agencies.

Given the ever-increasing interest in and importance of ICT issues to
the
CSO sector, the conference will focus specifically on the ICT
challenges
facing the CSO sector, highlighting and promoting practical benefits,
opportunities and lessons learned to date.

This important event will provide an opportunity to both CSOs that are
ICT-enabled, as well as those organisations which are considering
introducing ICT solutions to their work, to discuss critical issues of
common concern and learn from one another's experiences.

The conference will bring together a large number of South African CSOs
to
discuss and debate a wide range of ICT issues in plenary and break-away
sessions, and to participate in technology demonstrations and practical
training sessions which will cover a range of topics to enhance the ICT
skills of participants. The varied and comprehensive programme will
cater
for all needs and interests, from basic introductory training sessions
to
the discussion of cutting edge developments.

The conference is aimed at senior staff and technical employees in the
CSO
sector as well as individuals who work with these organisations,
including
international funding agencies, the private sector and government.

Approximately 300 people will attend the event.

An important aspect of the event is the ICT exhibition that will run
concurrently with the conference. The exhibition will provide CSOs and
ICT
service providers with an opportunity to showcase their ICT products
and
services.

Refer to the conference website for the draft conference programme and
registration information - www.sangonet.org.za/conference2005

We look forward to your participation in this important civil society
event.