OneWorld to inaugurate info-service for farmers

New Delhi: OneWorld South Asia (OWSA) � the South Asian Centre of the OneWorld Network - works towards use of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) for promoting sustainable development and human rights in all the five South Asian countries.

OWSA aims to strategically position ICT tools, ranging from the Internet, mobile telephones to community radio, to enable the poor to communicate on developmental issues and work towards realisation of a better quality of life embodied in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Lifelines India is an initiative to use the power of voice as the primary means of information dissemination to the grassroots communities. It facilitates exchange of information among the marginalised communities such that it helps in improving their quality of life. It aims to provide connectivity, content and capability via a phone-based service.

Lifelines India is an IVRS based service for marginalised communities to get needs based information and knowledge from their village through a phone. OneWorld South Asia (OWSA) with support from British Telecom and CISCO systems are piloting the service in North India in partnership with other civil society organizations. British Telecom and CISCO Systems have supported the initiative as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programme which assumes that access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) can improve people�s lives and open doors to education, jobs, entertainment and interactions.

The pilot phase is concentrating on the agribusiness sector by providing information related to agriculture to the farming community. This service has the potential to be replicated in other crucial sectors of health, education, livelihoods, disaster alerts and so on. OneWorld South Asia has facilitated the development of technology solution and is also implementing the service through local partnerships.

A background note on the service is attached for your reference

OneWorld South Asia takes the pleasure of inviting you for the opening of Lifelines India on 28th September 2006, at the Jacaranda Hall, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, between 1000hrs � 1300 hrs followed by lunch.

Please send your confirmation to TN Anuradha at:
t.n.anuradha@oneworld.net

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