PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The CCN#3 “Open eTraining Network for the Millennium Development Goals” to SatElections is a pilot project dedicated to the development of a broadband satellite network in support to both the training (eTraining service) and the electoral needs (Electoral Data Transmission) of the Independent Electoral Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (IEC-DRC).
The capabilities of such network will be also expanded with the provision of additional services in the field of Capacity Building. In order to overcome the severe logistic problems of DRC a logistic support has also been envisaged through the following activities:
- The provision of UPS (Uninterruptable Power System) systems to the three eTraining sites of Kikwit, Kananga and Mbuij Mayi,
- The development and installation of a self contained solution through a Learning Tele Centre facility (prefabricated structure),
- The provision of a Tele Surveillance system in order to monitor the pilot sites considered as the most vulnerable.
All the service and associated applications will be run for a 12 months pre-operational pilot period.
The pilot project will contribute to conceive, develop and validate a full ICT based solution in response to both training and electoral data transmission needs of the IEC-DRC, and further complementing the offer with eGovernment services. The whole portfolio of applications will be provided taking into account the actual operational challenges of the target environment.
The CCN #3 proposal to the SatElections Project “Open eTraining Network for the Millennium Development Goals” intends to carry out the following activities:
Electoral Data Transmission (EDT)
The EDT services will utilise a broadband satellite network in order to respond to the Electoral needs of the IEC-DRC and cope with the electronic delivery of voters’ registrations (with biometric data), candidates’ cards, voting papers and results. They include specific security features protecting the authenticity, confidentiality and integrity of the data.
eTraining
The eTraining activities intend to respond to the needs of the IEC via:
- The transmission of the eLearning modules to the training centres and their usage via the Administra Training Platform, in order to train the operational personnel working for the electoral cycle;
- The completion of the eLearning content catalogue, already started with the production of both the Effective Electoral Assistance Module and the Electoral Administration modules.
Capacity Building (CB)
The Capacity Building application will expand the capabilities of the SatElections system with the provision of additional services in support to Capacity Building (such as community information, edutainment, public health information and Internet access point) for the benefit of the local communities living in the neighbour of the training sites of the IEC-DRC.
Pilot activities
The pilot activities will run for a 12 months period offering the above mentioned services (i.e.: Electoral Data Transmission, eTraining and Capacity Building). End users’ feedback will be gathered in order to demonstrate and validate a sustainable business model.
Logistic support
The logistic support activities will help to resolve the severe logistic problems which affected the initial phase of the original SatElections pilot. The following activities will be carried out:
- Provision of UPS to the three pilot sites of Kikwit, Kananga, Mbuij Mayi,
- Migration of the Astra2Connect terminals over the Intersat Africa Astra2Connect service platform,
- Development and validation on the field of a self-contained “Learning Tele – Centre” facility (prefabricated structure) to provide a one stop solution to the issues of installation, telecommunications, electrical power supply, security monitoring, drinkable water provision and air conditioning, especially conceived for the most isolated rural areas in Sub Saharan countries,
- Provision of a Tele Surveillance system in order to monitor the pilot sites considered as the most vulnerable.
Figure 1 – Aggregate Pilot Network
click for larger image
Challenges
The project intends to represent a solution answering the real needs of a community that is going to face for the second time elections. The actual legal and administrative framework of the DRC presents several shortcomings related mainly to the following issues:
- Elections were held once in 2006,
- The administrative system still needs to be designed and developed,
- The logistic problems represent a huge challenge in the activities related to the preparation and execution of the electoral cycle.
In this context, the IEC-DRC has expressed interest in having a unique interface for ICT via a provider able to solve problems and manage activities in a one stop solution.
Plan
The User and System requirements have been defined. Next steps will cover the production of a consolidated procurement plan together with the provision of six pilot sites for the start of the eTraining services.
Consolidated PSA and PilUP documents will be also finalised. The audio visual production of the additional training contents will be also realised. Pilot operations for the eTraining are expected to start early February 2011.
A Critical Review Meeting will take place in conjunction with the SatElections Pilot Committee meeting in Brussels. Then system development activities will be realised in order to qualify the pilot network and go ahead with the commissioning of the pilot system.
It is planned to start pilot operations for the EDT and CB in June 2011. Operations will last 12 months. Finally, the outcomes assessment will be carried out and the project will be completed by July 2012.
Current Status
A new organisation (INEC) replaced unexpectedly the original SatElections partner (IEC) in May 2011. INEC has still not yet confirmed its interest in pursuing the activities started by IEC.
Due to the lack of response from INEC, the consortium – led by Openet – has proposed to close the SatElections activities in DRC and to shift the focus of the collaboration pursued in the pilot activities from the national stakeholders in DRC to international organisations active in the Central and South Africa.
In this respect, Openet has proposed the following three main activities:
- A new electoral eTraining service to support the African member countries of the “Economic Community of Central African States” (ECCAS), conceived in collaboration with the “Ecole de Formation en Afrique Central Electoral” (EFEAC) based in DRC and with the “European Centre for Electoral Support” (ECES) based in Brussels.
- Extend the scope of the eTraining and Capacity Building activity with a satellite radio based service in DRC to stimulate the implementation of strategies against climate changes and in favour of food security and rural/farmer subsistence. The activity will be conceived in the frame of the “Communication Initiative for Sustainable Development” programme in cooperation with FAO and the Italian Ministry of “Environment and Territory”.
- Support the “Rally to Read” initiative, pursuing eLearning/Educational assistance to very remote and rural schools in South Africa The above three activities have been negotiated and agreed with ESA on Feb 2012. For more info about the progress status click here “Satellite way for education (Sway4edu)“.
Companies
