The Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP), www.globalknowledge.org, is a worldwide network committed to harnessing the potential of information and communication technologies for sustainable and equitable development. Today, the GKP consists of 91 members from 40 countries across the world. While the GKP was established in 1997, this has been the first year that they have adopted the regional approach. According to the GKP, "A region-specific approach allows the identification of common regional positions which can form the basis for effective advocacy, knowledge sharing and thematic discussions at the global level. In turn, issues from the global level as well as from the other regional discussions can give interesting input into the regional debate". SAF joined the GKP in the spring of 2004 and was elected as focal point for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in January 2005.

SCHOOLNET STUDENTS/TEACHERS SUPPORT VICTIMS OF THE ASIAN TSUNAMI DISASTER

The Science and Arts Foundation, with support from the SchoolNet council, organized a photography and video exhibition in the city of Tehran from the 22nd to the 27th of January 2005. The exhibition presented photos and video images of Bam by a number of well-known Iranian artists. The message from the exhibition was one of compassion and support from a nation that has experienced the trauma of disaster. In addition to the exhibition, students and teachers from the SchoolNet program have also expressed their concern and sympathy for peers living in affected parts of Asia.

BAM PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION PILOT PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS IS NOW COMPLETE

SAF's "Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program for Bam Teachers" was created by Dr Kamran Saedi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist based in London, in order to address the needs of the teachers themselves and to support their efforts to help children with their traumatisation. The project was funded by CISCO and World Vision. Over 150 teachers participated in the pilot program, which was based on group therapy, with successful results. When rated by the mental health professional team on a 1 to 5 scale for individual improvement, over 75 per cent of the participants received a score of 3 or higher (1 = no improvement; 5 = great improvement). The next phase of the program will aim to provide continued psychological advice and support for teachers, help teachers manage stress, both related to the trauma of the earthquake and as a result of the demands in the workplace, and encourage teachers to influence their work place and promote a supportive environment that encourages the wellbeing of its staff and pupils. SAF is now seeking funds to extend the project to all teachers in Bam. TO VIEW A FULL REPORT OF THIS PROGRAM, PLEASE VISIT:http://mind.schoolnet.ir/FINAL-REPORT.pdf

SAF PARTICIPATES IN COMMEMORATING ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT HANSHIN-AWAJI EARTHQUAKE

To commemorate the anniversary of the great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake that took place in Japan on the 17th of January 1995, the United Nations and iEARN Japan (jEARN) held a conference on the 18th of January 2005 at Yume Butai Conference Center on Awaji Island. Mojgan Momeni, a representative from the Science and Arts Foundation and director of SAF's Paint Shop in Bam, was invited as the keynote speaker. The title of her lecture was "Disaster Relief in the Information Age". An exhibition of artwork by Bam children, along with a number of her photographs of life after the earthquake in Bam, was displayed in the conference hall. In addition, a video conference was held between students from the Bam paint shop and students in Japan. The students from Bam extended their greetings and gratitude to the Japanese school children who supported them by helping to set up the paint shop. Dr Badaoui Rouhban, Chief of the Section for Disaster Reduction at UNESCO, opened the conference by welcoming participants. To view SAF's activities in Bam, including the Paint Shop, please visit: http://bam.schoolnet.ir.

THE FIRST SCHOOLINUX SEMINAR HELD IN TEHRAN

The first SchooLinux Seminar was held on the 20th of January 2005 at Roshd 16 High School, Naziabad, Tehran. Organized by SAF's SchooLinux e-Club (http://linux.schoolnet.ir), over 300 students and teachers, mostly from Tehran and Isfahan, participated in the event. The seminar brought the idea of open source software, particularly the Linux operating system, to the attention of the participants. Two lectures on open source and free software as well as a workshop on the installation of the Linux operating system were presented. In addition, the film "Open Source Revolution" was shown and a live CD of Linux was distributed among the participants. The seminar was supported by the Science and Arts Foundation, the Education Department of Tehran and Roshd 16 High School. The concept of open source software is considered vital to the development of Information and Communication Technologies in Iran and the seminar created a positive impression among participating students and teachers.

SAF SPONSORS WORKSHOPS AT THE ZAHEDAN IT CENTER

On the 30th and 31st of January 2005, 3 workshops were held at the Zahedan IT Center. Workshop titles included Linux and Open Source Software, Networking and Entrepreneurship. Each workshop was held in two sessions for a total of four hours. The Linux and Open Source Software Workshop was supported by the SchooLinux e-Club and a live Linux CD, including educational material, was distributed among the audience. The Entrepreneurship e-Club supported the Entrepreneurship Workshop and distributed an educational CD to participating students. The Networking workshop, supported by the Sharif University of Technology Computing Center, brought the technical aspects of networking to the attention of participants. Over 50 individuals participated in the workshops and found the material presented valuable and an opportune occasion for enhancing their knowledge of ICTs. Currently, the Zahedan IT Center is developing at a rapid rate. The Zahedan e- Shop is in the final phase of development and will be launched shortly. Additionally, a talented group of individuals are taking part in Java programming training at the Center. The group's aim is to work on developing projects through outsourcing from cities such as Tehran.

To view the programs of the Zahedan IT Center, please visit: http://zitc.saf.ir.

Source: Science and Arts Foundation, Newsletter No. 44, Jan-Feb 2005
http://www.science-arts.org
http://www.saf.ir