LocalFOSS

From 10th July through the 29th July, the Ethiopian FOSS network (EFOSSNET) ran series of workshops aimed at informing both the government and private sector decision makers of the benefits of Free and Open Source Software.

The workshops were divided into three core groups, these include training for network administrators and IT support staff in the use LINUX and FOSS server-side applications; information sharing and training of NGOs and other development workers on FOSS alternatives to assist them in improving programme delivery as well as creating awareness among policy/decision makers in the public, private and civil society arena on such areas of FOSS policy as non-discriminatory procurement and indicators for assessing applicability of FOSS tools.

The reaction to the workshops was "very postive" according to EFOSSNET secretary Abebe Chekol.

"The reaction was very positive from organisations Civil society such as the Ethiopia IT Professionals Association and international
organisations such as UNESCO, UNECA, etc and particularly from the government. We had the Director General of the Ethiopian ICT Development Agency who made the official opening address on the FOSS Policy Workshop on 21 July."

More workshops are planned for the future, focusing on the regional universities in a bid to increase awareness of FOSS amongst both IT professionals and students.

More information about EFOSSNET can be found at http://www.efossnet.org. Or you can email info@efossnet.org.