Kristin Peterson, Inveneo CEO and Co-Founder

The Haitian education system had its challenges before the January 12, 2010 earthquake. Eighty percent of schools were private. Both public and private schools were under-resourced in basic infrastructure – from classrooms to teachers – and had little, if any, access to information and communication technologies (ICT).

"It wasn't easy for young people to get an education in Haiti, and forget ICT. Haiti didn't offer it formally, we had to leave the country to learn," explained Jerry Joseph, a young Haitian ICT expert.

 
A temporary classroom in post-earthquake Haiti

After the earthquake, what educational infrastructure that did exist was decimated – half the nation's schools and the three main universities in Port-au-Prince were destroyed or badly damaged in the earthquake. While other organizations focus on repairing basic school infrastructure, Inveneo and Microsoft are working closely together to build Haiti back better.

We've partnered to build a model for future school computer lab deployments at 40 schools throughout Haiti, combining Microsoft's innovative approach to expanding educational access and Inveneo's technical know-how in implementing ICT in schools cost effectively over the long term. In fact, we've already started with school site assessments to gauge the readiness of educational organizations to incorporate ICT into their existing infrastructure.

Our 2011 Commitment

At Inveneo, we are committed to bringing real opportunity to Haiti in 2011 through a rural broadband connectivity program we are deploying in partnership with local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Haitian entrepreneurs.

Our partnership with Microsoft is one component of this program, which is supported by an innovative collective of organizations whose focus is ICT entrepreneurial capacity building, rural economic development, and education through ICTs. The collective includes the USAID Global Broadband and Innovations Alliance, NetHope, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, The EKTA Foundation, and Google, in addition to Microsoft.

Together, we will build a connectivity model that will reach and serve clients (schools, NGOs, enterprises and others) cost effectively, through:

• accelerated deployment of a high speed, broadband wireless network in rural population centers
• training and certification of Haitian IT entrepreneurs (like Jerry) to deploy, operate and support this network
• a sustainable business model of local network ownership and operations for the broadband wireless network
• deploying new, appropriate technology in education to increase ICT knowledge and usage

The net effect of our efforts will be broadband Internet connectivity that stimulates economic growth, develops stable professional jobs, and supports decentralization of the Haitian economy. We also believe that the innovative tools and solutions we are offering in partnership with Microsoft will together transform education in Haiti, bringing about a brighter future for Haiti's youth.

Kristin Peterson is a co-founder and CEO at Inveneo.

Frank Schott, Global Program Director, NetHope

One year later, another chance to reflect upon the international humanitarian response to the earthquake’s devastation in Haiti. There are many stories to tell; some that are filled with inspiration and courage and others that are filled with disappointment and failure. Though there will undoubtedly be a great deal of focus on the latter this week, I’d like to share at least one story of hope and promise in Haiti.

This story begins with a young man named Jude Antenor. On January 12, 2010, Jude’s life was rocked by the destructive earthquake that racked his city. Jude was lucky to be in a building that did not collapse, but his cousin had her leg severed. He also lost many friends and some of his teachers from his school, Ecole Superior Informatique d'Haiti (ESIH). Prior to the earthquake, Jude had distinguished himself as a bright computer science student at ESIH but struggled to find his first job in the IT field due to a lack of work experience.

As Jude struggled to find full-time employment, in other parts of Port-au-Prince and surrounding regions, it was becoming very clear to NGOs that there was also a significant lack of qualified IT professionals in the country. The IT shortage had been a problem prior to the earthquake and was only exacerbated after the devastating quake. To address this problem, NetHope – a collaboration of 32 NGOs working in more than 150 countries – launched the NetHope Academy training initiative in September in partnership with Haitian organizations, other humanitarian groups and large tech companies including Microsoft, Cisco, Accenture and Voila.

The NetHope Academy provides IT skills training and on the job work experience to unemployed Haitians, like Jude, to build in-country technical expertise. NetHope Academy interns spend three weeks in intensive boot camp-style classroom trainings, and then they’re placed within IT teams of NGOs working to rebuild devastated areas of Haiti.

Back to Jude, who heard about the NetHope Academy last summer. After competing against 300 applicants for 36 coveted spots, Jude earned a spot in the program. He was assigned as a part time intern to CHF International, one of the largest humanitarian organizations in Haiti and a NetHope member. Jude’s first weeks on the job were good for Jude and even better for CHF. Jude worked hard, often staying several hours past the time that his part time shift was supposed to conclude. That hard work paid off when CHF International asked Jude to move to a full-time position where he will be paid for the long hours he is putting in.

Jude is only one story. The NetHope Academy has 36 interns working at 14 large NGOs, with a goal of providing full-time employment for every intern upon completion of the program in March. Thanks to great partners like Microsoft and other organizations, Jude and others like him are getting a chance.

Frank Schott, Global Program Director, NetHope

Frank has spent almost 25 years in the technology sector. Since 2005, Frank has served as a NetHope Global Program Director in charge of the Field Capacity Building and Emergency Response initiatives.  During his time with NetHope, Frank has worked closely with member agencies, corporate partners and NetHope staff to design, develop and deliver ICT related programs which are shared by the humanitarian sector.

As the year comes to an end it’s a great opportunity to both look forward to the coming year and review what’s happened over the past twelve months.

We thought it would be interesting to highlight the top stories on the blog for 2010 as voted by our readers through their visits.

It presents an interesting review of the year.

#1 Software donations: Microsoft Office 2010:

#2 Celebrating U.S. Veterans

The six  organizations are:

• Able-Disabled Advocacy, Inc., San Diego, CA; San Diego VetWORKS
• Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA; Project Succeed
• Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont Inc, Charlotte, NC; Elevate America's veterans initiative
• Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Panama City, FL; Mission: 21st Century (M:21c)
• Per Scholas INC., New York, NY; Microsoft Veterans Employment Project
• Veterans Inc., Worcester, MA; Veterans Inc. Employment & Training Program

#3 Elevate America community initiative

In September we announced the Elevate America community initiative, a new grant program to support nonprofit organizations offering employment services, including technology skills training and job placement, in local communities across the United States. Microsoft is committing $4 million in cash and $6 million in software and technology skills training curriculum to support nonprofits in the United States over the next two years. The nonprofit recipients will be announced in the New Year.

#4 Microsoft 2010 Citizenship report

#5 Haiti

It’s hard to believe that the tragic events in Haiti took place nearly one year ago, events that rallied the world. As Akhtar noted at the time:

“We are also seeing an inspiring outpouring of support from people in the United States and around the world.  Ordinary citizens are texting their support to the Red Cross and other organizations to ensure that there are enough funds for relief efforts.  An amazing amount of money already has been collected.  This is the time to come together and work in a coordinated fashion to support the relief efforts and ensure that the donated funds are put to the best use for the people of Haiti, both in the short-term and in the long run.”

• Other Haiti posts:
• Supporting Relief Efforts in Haiti
• Devastation and Inspiration in Haiti

Of course the critical relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti continue.

Finally…

On behalf of the Citizenship team at Microsoft we wish you a happy and successful 2011. We’re looking forward to talking with you over the next twelve months, and don’t forget you can keep in touch us via Twitter (@msftcitizenship) and Facebook and find more about our programs at the Microsoft Citizenship website

Have you ever heard the EU Digital Agenda?

If you are based in or interested in the European Market of almost 500 million people you probably should.

This strategic document covers the main directions of the ICT policy of the European Union for the next 5 years. One of its seven pillars talks explicitly about “Enhancing e-Skills” and suggests activities tackling the problem of the digital divide but also of employment. A recent EU study discovered that by 2014 nine from ten jobs won´t be accessible for applicants without sufficient IT skills. That´s definitely a call to action not only for governments but also for business and civil society towards better education and training of the relevant target audiences.

2.6.1. Digital literacy and skills

It is essential to educate European citizens to use ICT and digital media and particularly to attract youngsters to ICT education. The supply of ICT practitioner and e-business skills, i.e. the digital skills necessary for innovation and growth, needs to be increased and upgraded. In addition, given there are 30 million women between the ages of 15-24, it is necessary to improve the attractiveness of the ICT sector for professional use and in particularly for the production and design of technology. All citizens should be made aware of the potential of ICT for all kind of professions. This calls for multi-stakeholder partnerships, increased learning, recognition about digital competences in formal education and training systems, as well as awareness raising and effective ICT training and certification outside formal education systems, including the use of online tools and digital media for re-skilling and continuing professional development43. Based on the experience gained from the first "European e-Skills Week" (1-5 March 2010)44, the Commission will support the in 2010 and thereafter, national and European awareness raising activities with a view to promote ICT education, careers and jobs to young people as well as to foster digital literacy among citizen and ICT training for the workforce and the adoption of best practices.

Microsoft Austria has taken up on this challenge and initiated the National IT-Fitness Initiative, which enjoys broad support by Austrian government and institutions, including Austrian Ministry of Education, Austrian Ministry of Social, Labor and Consumer Interests, the Austrian Labor Market Service, the Federal Chancellery, the Federal Chamber of Commerce, the Austrian Industry Association and NGOs like the Austrian Computing Society or Seniorkom.at. Big players from the IT industry including HP, Cisco and T-Systems are also partners.

So far more than 31,000 Austrians have already participated in the IT-Fitness Check at the webpage www.it-initiative.at and took the opportunity to look for further learning opportunities at the web portal, including blended learning courses and free online trainings for improving their e-skills. The webpage offers tailored services and information for three areas of life – school, work and spare time.

Recently the initiative shared its latest initiatives at a press conference with the Minister of Social, Labor and Consumer Interests. The Austrian Labor Service revealed a new IT training initiative for unemployed people and the partner seniorkom.at announced new trainings for seniors, where students are teaching seniors as part of their education at school. A pretty smart approach in my humble opinion.

Federal Minister for Social, Labor and Consumer Interests, Rudolf Hundstorfer and Petra Jenner, GM Microsoft Austria at Press Conference IT-Fitness Initiative

At this press conference Microsoft Austria also launched the "FIT Your Town Contest", looking for the "IT-fittest" city or municipality in Austria. The competition will last until end of January 2011. Based on the zip-code of the participants of the self-check test, the winning city will be detected and awarded with a full featured PC including hard- and software and the consultancy for the start of a “Smart-Mice” Kindergarten which includes training and support for the special “Smart-Mice” software from Microsoft.

You will find the IT-Fitness Initiative also on Facebook.

Thomas Lutz is the PR and Public Affairs Manager at Microsoft Austria

Enter the Tech for Good Contest for Nonprofits and Libraries in WA State

After more than ten years of working in and around the nonprofit sector in Washington State, there is no doubt in my mind that technology is helping organizations to increase their impact in our communities. There is also no doubt in my mind that surfacing and sharing the successful examples of this impact is hard! But sharing examples of your successful use of technology with other nonprofits is so important. It can help others in the sector be inspired and learn from your examples, and can help demonstrate to funders and stakeholders the social return on technology investment.

That’s where the 2011 Tech for Good Contest comes in. Sure, sharing successes takes time and effort… But if you take the time to tell us how you are using Microsoft software to create impact in your communities, we will make it worth your effort!

About the Contest

Together with TechSoup, Microsoft is excited to announce the 2011 Tech for Good Contest for nonprofits and public libraries in Washington State. Submissions open today and are accepted on a rolling basis until just before midnight (Pacific time) on Tuesday, January 18^th. Share how you’re using Microsoft software to engage your stakeholders and make a difference in your community, and you could ring in the New Year with some great prizes!

The winners will receive a $5,000 unrestricted cash grant, up to $100,000 worth of donated Microsoft software, consulting services donated by NPower Seattle, and more!

Submissions Open: December 20, 2010, 9 a.m. Pacific time

Submissions Close: January 18, 2011, 12 a.m. Pacific time

Public Winners Announcement: by February 7, 2011, 10 a.m. Pacific time

Shout it from the rooftops!

It’s the time of year for resolutions and new beginnings. Let’s resolve to surface more examples of how Washington’s nonprofits and public libraries are using technology to create meaningful impact in our communities. I hope you’ll enter and shout your tech success from the proverbial rooftop!

Read the full contest rules and prep your contest entry at www.showyourimpact.org/microsoft. I look forward to learning from your tech success!

And don’t forget your nonprofit can avail of software donations from Microsoft. Find out more here.