MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY TELECENTRES

TELECENTRES COME IN MANY FORMS-THIS CAN BE CONFUSING... n An MCT can be: n Community owned n Operated as a franchise or n Sponsored by an entity such as: –Regional Development –State or Central Government or –An international organization such as UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK A TELECENTRE IS? n Shops providing: ï Phone services only, or ï Phone services plus /Internet, or ï All of the above plus fax and photocopier ï All of the above plus a wide range of services and programmes.

What is a Multipurpose Telecentre? n An MCT is not just computers, Internet and n An MCT is a technology hub which provides social, economic and information support to many diverse services and programmes that come together in one location to share equipment, staff, and expertise.

Case Studies: Established MCT’s n Case Study - Indian Ocean Island n Case Study - Himalayan Community

WHAT SERVICES AND PROGRAMMES CAN THIS MCT OFFER? n Basic Services: n , Internet n Computer use n Photocopying n Scanning n Printing n Telephone access

Programmes and Services (cont’d) n Internet Service Provider (ISP) n Home page design n Information retrieval n Web page maintenance n Data base design n Video Conferencing connection

Programmes and Services (cont’d) n Government forms & information n On-line market prices n Youth Club n Computer Club n Business Club n Seniors Club n Arts/Craft Club n Disabled persons support n Meeting facilities n Office space for daily rental

Programms and Services (cont’d) n Toy library n Book exchange n Video library n Community paper production n Interpreting services n Community information board n Local events promotion n Labor market information n Small jobs information board n Passport photos n Photo restoration

Programmes and Services (cont’d) n Small business development n Business incubator n Job application assistance n Computer training n Internet training n Exam supervision n First aid training n Emergency training n Secretarial services n Word processing n Tourist information produced n Grant applications n Minutes/agendas n Bookkeeping n Phone answering n Printing/publishing books, papers

DON’T DUPLICATE SERVICES n MCT’s do not duplicate services, they seek to start new programmes and services which are not currently operating in the community. n Exceptions: n Basic services - , Internet, photocopying, facsimile and telephone

COLLOCATION: n MCT’S can join with: n Libraries n Technical training & education groups n Labor market providers n Agriculture n Post office n Banks/fee collection

COLLOCATION HELPS WITH SUSTAINABILITY : n THE MCT SAVES MONEY THROUGH: n Sharing buildings n Sharing equipment n Sharing staff n PROVIDES LONGER OPENING HOURS: n Giving the community longer access time to programs and services. THIS PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INCOME.

Community Input is Required: n The community can help the project by: n Finding a rent free/or cheap rental building n Providing volunteers to assist in the Centre n Becoming members and helping with other needs as and when required

SUMMARY n Information received during this meeting: ç Programmes and services identified ç Support has/has not been promised. ç Community agrees/disagrees to establish an MCT. ç Community prepared to pay/not pay a fee to use the MCT

THE MULTIPURPOSE COMMUNITY TELECENTRE STEERING/MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE n n THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING.