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.