[CFP] Web2ForDev International Conference, Rome, Italy, 25-27 September 2007

Web2ForDev International Conference on "Participatory Web for
Development: Networking, collaborating and exchanging knowledge in
agriculture, rural development and natural resource management"

Rome, Italy, 25-27 September 2007
http://www.web2fordev.net/

**** CALL FOR PROPOSALS ****

Web2ForDev 2007 is the first conference devoted to exploring
the ways in which international development stakeholders can take advantage
of the technical and organizational opportunities provided by Web 2.0
methods, approaches and applications. The conference will promote the
adoption and dissemination of appropriate, low-cost and replicable
Internet-based applications by actors in agriculture, rural development, and
natural resource management. It aims to inspire participants to use and
develop their own information management and communication systems based on
these applications. The conference targets agriculture, rural development,
and natural resource management stakeholders, particularly those from
developing countries, experienced with or interested in the potential of Web
2.0, including technology intermediaries, policy makers, information and
communication specialists, software developers, application and system
providers and information service providers. Participants are expected to
have experience and understanding of information and communication
technologies (ICTs) and to be in a position to understand, adopt and
disseminate the showcased applications and approaches.

In particular we encourage proposals that are:
* Thematic case studies: 15/20-minute presentations on
examples of projects and processes that are adopting Web 2.0 tools and
methodologies, and that evaluate their impacts, benefits and challenges;

* Thematic showcases: 15/20-minute presentations on Web 2.0
tools and methodologies developed for knowledge exchange, collaboration,
learning and networking;

* Panel discussions: 30-minute exchanges that provide an
overview of one or more crosscutting issue (see the list below); these will
be debated by a group of panellists and facilitated by a chairperson.

The sessions should offer practical examples of Web 2.0
concepts and applications in knowledge exchange, collaboration, learning and
networking in the sectors of agriculture, rural development, and natural
resource management. Experiences and case studies from sectors other than
development (e.g. education, private sector) that show potential for adoption
can be presented. The focus is on innovation in common practices,
opportunities, needs, and issues that participants may address more
effectively with the adoption of Web 2.0 tools, methodologies and approaches.

**** THEME, TOPICS AND CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES ****
The theme of the Conference is "Participatory Web for
Development: Networking, collaborating and exchanging knowledge in
agriculture, rural development and natural resources management".

There are three conference tracks dealing with the following
main topics:
* Shared virtual spaces, remote collaboration, and knowledge
sharing
* Appropriate technologies for on-line publishing
* On-line information retrieval and access

Cross-cutting issues speakers may want to address in their
presentations, and particularly in panel discussions, are:
* Institutional capacity (IT infrastructure, human resources)
* Management
* Low-bandwidth access
* Intellectual property issues
* Disabling and enabling environments (infrastructural,
connectivity, legal, cultural, human)
* Direct and indirect cost
* Security
* Visibility and promotion

**** DEADLINES ****
Submission of proposals: 30 April 2007
Notification of acceptance: 15 May 2007
Submission of draft presentations, scripts and materials: 15
June 2007 Submission of final scripts: 31 July 2007 Submission of final
presentations (slideshow, multimedia or other): 31 August 2007

**** HOW TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS ****
* Fill out the proposal form for a case study or a showcase.
[http://www.web2fordev.net/fileadmin/docs/showcase_casestudy_proposal.doc]

* Alternatively, fill out the proposal form for a panel
discussion. [http://www.web2fordev.net/fileadmin/docs/panel_proposal.doc]

* Submit your proposal by email to proposals@...
by 30 April 2007.
* Acceptance will be notified by 15 May 2007.
The content of the proposals will be treated with the utmost
confidentiality by the Steering Committee members and peer review panel.

In case of acceptance, please note:
* All work presented at the Conference (e.g. slideshows,
handouts, flyers, brochures, pdf and MS Word documents, animation and videos)
constitutes the original work of the author/presenter, and he/she is the
owner of the copyright.

* All presenters and authors will retain non-exclusive
intellectual property rights in their work.
* Presenters and authors agree to their Conference materials
being disseminated freely on the Conference Web site and by other means
during and after the Conference. A statement will be published prohibiting
the use of any of the presentations for commercial purposes. Any part or
whole of the works used for non-commercial purposes must carry due
accreditation.

**** SPONSORSHIPS ****
Accepted presenters or panellists from developing countries
may apply for sponsorship to attend the Conference. Sponsorships will be
granted at the discretion of the sponsoring agencies and will be subject to
availability of funds.

**** ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ****
To get updates on the event you may join one of the following
DGroups:
* English: http://www.dgroups.org/groups/web2fordev/index.cfm
* Français: http://www.dgroups.org/groups/web2pourdev/index.cfm
For more information on the event you may visit our
conference web site at http://www.web2fordev.net