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ealth Telecommunications Organisation is organising the second Connecting Rural Communities Conference in Nigeria scheduled to take place between 10th -12th October. The CTO are also pleased to announce that the event be hosted by the Ministry of Communications. This is the second in a four-event series which focuses on the development of information and Communications Technology (ICT) – and in particular the progress which is being made on connecting rural communities. With the rapid projected development of rural communications in developing countries there has never been a greater opportunity for ICT companies to stake their claim on this lucrative market. The first Connecting Rural Communities conference took place in January and was proud to have the support of the Indian Department of Telecommunications and the invaluable assistance of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. The event emphasized the sharing of practical experiences while highlighting the role of place and place- based innovation in local development, rural health, education, culture and environment, with attention to implications for rural policy and governance. Government initiatives, regulatory strategies were also discussed that could allow businesses to advance in rural communities. Connecting Rural Communities 2006 is a must-attend event for anyone involved in the ICT industry featuring presentations from high-level industry professionals and public sector representatives. The agenda will cover several topics essential to enhancing your company’s understanding of the market, including: • Latest regulatory initiatives for promoting ICTs in rural areas • Marketing strategies to drive rural revenues • Best practice case studies of successful rural communications projects • An overview of the variety of current and upcoming ICT technologies for connecting rural communities • How ICTs can be used to deliver e-health, e-education, e- agriculture, e-government and e-commerce to rural areas • Future financing mechanisms for setting up rural communications • Governments’ plans to expand rural ICT access • Developments on mobile Communications • Satellite communications less

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Global Action: Africa Edition, in partnership with the African Regional Youth Initiative sent a call in August seeking writers to fill 10 Development Analyst positions. Positions begin October 2006 for a period of 6 months or one year. The Development Analyst position is designed for members of organizations and/or networks in Africa. Youth and women are encouraged to apply. Development Analysts should have knowledge of development issues at community, national, regional, and international levels, gained from relevant academic studies or other experiences. Analysts will also present the work of the Forum for Global Action to promote civil society collaboration on the continent. This position is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys writing, is proactive, and is able to clearly articulate (in English or French) their views on development in Africa. Articles will appear on the Forum's weekly newsletter and blog, as well as other publications and conference materials. In addition, the Forum for Global Action will work with Development Analysts to publish opinion pieces about global issues in other local and national publications. This is a great chance for somebody energetic to play an integral role in a fast-paced, creative and driven organization that is in the midst of expanding its scale of operation for a greater impact in Africa and beyond. To apply: Please send your resume to lfortinsky@africani nitiative.org. Also, please include a writing sample of no more than 200-300 words. Applications should be submitted no later than October 15, 2006. less