Australian Community Connectivity papers
Parallels can be drawn between the needs of Community ICT in New Zealand and Australia. Here you'll find a number of useful recent papers, case studies, community consultation and presentations from the Australian federal government. (Note: this page appears in both Digital Strategy and Community Computing Hot Topics.)
Ensuring that all Australians have the capabilities, networks and tools to participate in the benefits of the information economy is a priority of the Australian Government. Department of Communications, IT and the Arts (DCITA) is taking a policy lead in this area.
Key challenges identified are:
- Developing the networks and capabilities needed by people living in regional communities, Indigenous Australians, older Australians, people with disabilities and others facing economic or social barriers to participation in the information economy; and
- Strengthening collaboration and capabilities in nonprofit organisations and key sectors to facilitate their participation in the information economy.
This discussion paper
- explores the adoption and uses of ICT in community and social contexts in Australia and selected countries,
- highlighting approaches taken by governments and community groups and
- presenting examples of good practice. It
- identifies some of the impediments to more effective use of ICT to achieve community and social benefits. It
- is the first Australian government research to look at the relationships between social capital and ICT.
The paper is linked from
http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_and_technology/ consultation_and_submissions/ community_ict_transformation_discussion_papers_and_case_studies
or click on the title above to go there directly.
This discussion paper
- explores ICT adoption and use in the nonprofit sector as a priority for the Australian economy and society. It
- highlights examples of good practice that can transform community and all parts of the nonprofit sector. It further
- considers some of the issues and challenges facing the nonprofit sector's adoption and effective use of ICT.
The paper is linked from
http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_and_technology/ consultation_and_submissions/ community_ict_transformation_discussion_papers_and_case_studies
or click on the title above to go there directly.
In this set of 31 case studies, a cross-section of communities, nonprofit organisations and groups share
- their experiences-how they introduced ICT,
- the barriers and challenges they overcame and
- the lessons learned while using ICT to make their operations more efficient and to better connect with their clients, members and each other.
The paper is linked from
http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_and_technology/ consultation_and_submissions/ community_ict_transformation_discussion_papers_and_case_studies
or click on the title above to go there directly.
Consultation on these discussion papers took place from February to April 2005. A full summary of the comments and submissions received is outlined in this report. This report provides
- a précis of the main findings of the discussion papers and
- a summary of the key issues and
- main recommendations drawn from the submissions.
The paper is linked from
http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_and_technology/ consultation_and_submissions/?a=30002
or click on the title above to go there directly.
Abstract of presentation on "Community ICT Transformations: Next Steps"
Andrew Russack and Emma Mayhew, from the Department of Communications, IT and the Arts (DCITA) , Community Connectivity Section, presented at the 'Making Links' conference in Sydney, November 2005.
Current and future projects being developed by the Community Connectivity Section of DCITA include:
- an e-Strategy Guide for nonprofit organisations;
- a Community ICT e-newsletter and
- an online Community ICT community of practice; and
- scoping of a national ICT leadership/coordination model for the nonprofit sector.
28.03.2008 Website has been removed as it is no longer active
http://communityweb.ngogeeks.com/Stream_IT2005.html#i1