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MirandaNet scholar, Shahjahan Siraj, writes about his plans for UnnayanNet in Bangladesh.
Machizo | Vision | Mission | Contacts | Plans | New Media Activism
I'd like to initiate a similar project to Web Wise Wapping under the title "ICT learning for working class children". Students for this project will be members of the 'Out of Focus' group. These are working class children whom Drik's managing director Dr Shahidul Alam has mentored over the last 10 years. He has taught them to visualise the lives of the deprived class through photography.
Let me mention that Drik is a pioneer of photography, media and ICT in Bangladesh. It introduced email into Bangladesh and continues to take the lead in new media through not only the launch of the nation's first webzine Meghbarta, the web portal Orientation, and the country's human rights portal Banglarights, but also through its broad band direct satellite link.
From the beginning, Drik has taken care of the 'Out of Focus' children and helps them become conscious and responsible media activists. Last year, using a video camera borrowed from Drik Multimedia, they produced two documentaries: "Shema" and "Lukman" with the aid of a Belgium filmmaker.
The children are now competent photographers and are also running a videotape copying business. Two members recently got scholarships from "Amotto Sen" (Indian Nobel prize winner in economics).
I think the ICT learning initiative for these working class children will be a positive initiative and example of what can be achieved in a country like Bangladesh. With regards to this, Drik multimedia is ready to co-operate and provide support and expertise.
Drik multimedia has given them a used computer while DrikISP donated an Internet connection to them. Drik itself also provides a classroom for their learning. The children are creative and sharp. Their achievements have been shown in local and international media. A member of the group joined the World Press Photo as a child jury in the Netherlands in 1998. Another member attended the Junior World summit in the USA. The Out of Focus concept has already spread to India where children from Calcutta's red lights district have been co-opted by local activists.
In Dhaka, the children have proved to be able and willing learners. They have been able top hold their own in a multicultural environment. They can speak English fairly well. Recently they worked on "Chobi Mela" (the festival of 15 international photo exhibitions, www.chobimela.org ).
See also the information about New Media Activism on MirandaNet.
If we can organise an e-learning initiative, it will be a milestone for this region. Please let me know what you think. If you'd like to know more I can provide you with additional information.
Best regards,
Shahjahan Siraj
- http://zonezero.com/magazine/essays/ shahidulchildren/p0en.html
- http://www.drik.net/html/outoffocus.htm
- http://www.drik.net/focus/outoffocus.htm
- http://kvc.minbuza.nl/bangladesh/
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