Cambodia Forum - Ict Platform Report

Accelerating Research + Collaboration with ICTs

Report to the Cambodia Development Research Forum

Prepared by:

Mark Surman, Innovation Fellow [email protected] 215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 400 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2C7 +1 (416) 644-1033 www.socialinnovation.ca May 30, 2006

Cambodia Forum: Accelerating Innovation + Collaboration with ICTs

Table of Contents Background...............................................................................................................3 Partner brainstorming and capacity check-in..................................................................3 Next steps: charting a course......................................................................................4 Imagine: collaboration and innovation...........................................................................5 Current situation........................................................................................................5 Things we can do.......................................................................................................6 Where it could go.......................................................................................................7 Working together: accelerating with ICTs.......................................................................9 The basics: shared online platform...............................................................................9 Idea #1: simple online communication amongst partners..............................................10 Idea #2: single access point for Cambodian research....................................................10 Idea #3: cheaper, faster Internet access for researchers...............................................11 Idea #4: sharing advanced, high end infrastructure .....................................................11 Idea #5: improved ICT skills amongst ALL partners......................................................12 Additional ideas........................................................................................................12 The way forward.......................................................................................................13 Risks and issues to consider ......................................................................................13 Appendix A: Partner brainstorm and capacity overview..................................................14 Appendix B – ICT priorities identified by partners..........................................................15 Appendix C – Reports from each of the partners...........................................................16

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

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Background In late 2007, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) invited all of the people and organizations that it works with in Cambodia to an 'All Partners Meeting'. This day long event provided an opportunity for partners to share information about their research, discuss common themes and issues and identify opportunities for collaboration. It ended with a clear call from all attending: we need to collaborate like this more often! As a result of this meeting, IDRC's partners formed the Cambodia Development Research Forum. Coordinated by the CBNRM Learning Institute (LI) and the Cambodia Development Research Institute (CDRI), the Forum's initial focus will be: convening yearly gatherings to share research results; stimulating new collaborative research through a small grants fund; and improving the effectiveness of member organizations through joint initiatives. The Forum's first meeting will take place in June 2008. As a part its efforts to improve the capacity and effectiveness, the Forum will undertake an initiative to promote the accelerated use of information and communication technologies amongst members. In order to under lay the ground work for this effort, IDRC asked the Centre for Social Innovation to: ●

Conduct a diagnostic of online networking, collaboration and other ICT enabled opportunities amongst Cambodia Development Research Forum partners.

●

Based on this list of opportunities, develop a series of 'accelerated ICT platform' options for review by the Forum members.

●

Provide remote support to the Forum during the planning and implementation phase of ICT initiatives that they select.

This report provides both an overview of ICT challenges and opportunities and a set of options for consideration by Forum members. It is an intended as an input to the Forum process and as a springboard to further planning and action. Partner brainstorming and capacity check-in While the idea of an 'accelerated ICT platform' was introduced early in the Forum discussions, there was no clear picture of what this might include. In February 2008, Mark Surman from the Centre for Social Innovation in Canada along with Hein Mallee and Jacqueline Loh from IDRC's Singapore office traveled to Cambodia to discuss the ICT platform idea. This trip included in depth interviews on both existing ICT capacity and future opportunities with 12 Forum members. It also included two meetings to discuss the overall Forum concept and to prioritize ideas for joint work around ICTs. Based on these discussions, there is clear enthusiasm for the idea of a Forum ICT platform, especially if it can collectively benefit and increase the capacity of all Forum members. There is also a strong interest in using the Internet to share research results with peers and policy makers. Many member also want to improve their own internal ICT capacity. However, there is also caution. While all Forum members already use computers and the Internet in their work, ICT capacity remains uneven amongst the partners. Most of the capacity that does exist is in Phnom Penh, with very poor Internet access and computer skills available in the provinces. Members expressed concern that taking on joint ICT efforts that were too complex could widen

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

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these gaps. As one Forum member said in an interview: 'keep it simple'. This is the bottom line. Forum members should work together on the accelerated use of ICTs, but these efforts should start small and grow from there. More importantly, they should focus on activities that are reasonably straight forward to implement and have the potential to significantly benefit all of the Forum members. The ideas outlined below have been selected with these criteria in mind. Note: detailed research the February meetings are included in Appendix C of this report. Next steps: charting a course With a collection of simple 'accelerated ICT' ideas now on the table, it is up to the Forum members to decide whether and how to move ahead with these ideas. A small amount of funding to cover these efforts has been included in the IDRC grant provided to underwrite the base workings of the Forum. However, additional funds will definitely be needed if the Forum is to take on serious efforts in shared ICT capacity building or creating a joint repository of Cambodian development research. Members will consider these issues at the inaugural meeting of the Forum at the end of April 2008.

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Imagine: collaboration and innovation Imagine a world where the ideas and skills needed to help Cambodia develop are not only easy to find, but are also being turned into action. This world has been created in part through years of collaboration amongst Cambodian research organizations. These organizations regularly share results and collaborate on projects, creating a cohesive web of knowledge about development challenges and opportunities. This knowledge has gained respect with policymakers and even businesses. They see that research can help them make better decisions, and acting accordingly. While this access to knowledge does magically usher in development, it does make development efforts easier, and and more likely to succeed. The good news is that this world is possible. In fact, it is very much within our reach. The creation of the Cambodian Development Research Forum is one step towards creating this world. Making simple, strategic investments in accelerate ICT use amongst Forum members is another. The diagrams below show how these ICT investments fit into changing the development landscape in Cambodia. Current situation At present, all of the Forum members use ICTs in their work. Some are simply using computers and the Internet in for basic word processing and emails. A few have moved on to more advanced applications like research databases and information sharing on the web. Despite this baseline capacity, all of the Forum members also have challenges with ICTs:



web site







Policy makers

research not shared

Forum Member













scattered documents



unreliable, expensive Internet

Forum Member

hard to engage policy makers

 

high ICT staff turnover



uneven ICT skills

  Forum Member

The Forum members universally struggle with expensive and unreliable Internet access, even in Phnom Penh. In the provinces, Internet access and electricity vary between poor to non-existent. Infrastructure challenges are exacerbated in many organizations by a lack of skilled ICT support staff and by poor practices in areas like document sharing. As a result of all this, there is little Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

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information flow within the research community and it is very difficult to provide well packaged research results to policymakers. Note: an overview of current capacity and needs is included in Appendix A. Details for each organization are in Appendix C. Things we can do While there is no magic wand that can address all of the ICT challenges faced by Cambodian research organizations, a number of simple actions could have a real and positive impact. A first step is to creation a web site and e-mail list for the Cambodia Development Research Forum. This would give all partners an easy way to publish and share information. An online library to store and access Cambodian research results would help with this even further.



web site





Forum Member







Policy makers

Forum Web Site!

Online library



Email list

Good, affordable Internet



Forum Member



more skilled ICT staff available

ICT skills + support

 Forum Member

Setting up these basic information sharing tools could be accompanied by efforts to improve core skills and infrastructure. A joint ICT support unit (or even just one person) could be created using the e-rider model, offering all Forum members access to basic tech help as well as assistance with developing in house technology and web strategy plans. At the same time, partners could join together to negotiate with Internet providers for better rates and service quality. Twelve organizations – all of whom buy expensive leased Internet lines – represent a significant negotiating block. If successful, the Forum members could also work with ISPs to get better service for Internet traffic within Cambodia, essentially creating a Cambodia Research and Education Network (C-REN). All of these things are straight forward and have been done in other places. Given adequate resources and people, all should be achievable within a reasonably short time line. Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

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Where it could go Of course, the real story is not about simple improvements to ICT capacity, but rather what these improvements mean for the members of the Forum. Introducing basic information sharing tools and an online library will dramatically improve access to current research by and for Cambodian researchers. It will also make it easier to access, synthesize and package research results for policymakers: a stated goal of Forum members. Providing ICT capacity support will help further, making it more likely that researchers will share their information with each other. It also increases the likelihood that Forum members will improve their own ICT capacity and move on to advanced activities such as running their own web sites.

 good ideas shared

better global connections

web site



Forum Web Site!



Forum Member





Good, affordable Internet

Online library



policy makers engaged

Policy makers



Email list

forum members collaborating

research accessible + well used

 web site



more partners have web sites

Forum Member

Forum Member



ICT skills + support



more skilled ICT staff available

However, the bigger potential of an accelerating the ICT capacity of Cambodian development researchers is in the ideas and applications that we can't even imagine yet. Open ended access to research networks in the 1970s and 1980s led to many unexpected innovations in North America and Europe, including the Internet itself. Building basic information sharing infrastructure, investing in ICT capacity and working with ISPs to create a Cambodian Development Research Network (CREN) will hopefully lead to exactly these kinds of surprising innovations in Cambodia. Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

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Working together: accelerating with ICTs As noted above, the February meetings in Phnom Penh included the prioritization of joint ICT activities that might be undertaken by the Forum. In addition to a basic online platform, which was taken as a given, the top ideas included: ● ● ● ● ●

Simple online communication amongst partners Single access point for Cambodian research Cheaper, faster Internet access for researchers Sharing advanced, high end infrastructure (e.g. GIS) Improved ICT skills amongst ALL partners

These ideas were drawn from the in-depth discussions held with each of the Forum members. They were then prioritized at a meeting of most partners (see Appendix B). Each idea is elaborated below to allow for further review and consideration at the upcoming CDRF meeting. The basics: shared online platform Vision: A simple, modern, dynamic web site and e-newsletter for the Cambodia Development Research Forum. This site will provide a window into the work of each individual partner and an overview of the Forum as a whole. It will also raise the profile of development research amongst policymakers, the media and others. The site will be in Khmer and English. Features: 1. Front page with regularly updated news from partners and a brief description of the Forum. 2. Quarterly email newsletter for researchers summarizing most interesting news. 3. Email + print newsletter for policymakers highlighting research results from partners. . 4. Directory of all partners. Can link to partner web site, or act as mini-site for partners who don't have site of their own. 5. Simple document repository for Forum materials, supplemented by full featured online research library (below).

Benefits: 1. All partners have a channel to profile themselves and their work. 2. Everyone can see the 'big picture' of Cambodian development research, making it easier to identify opportunities for collaboration. 3. Development research is constantly on the mind of policy makers and others who receive newsletters. 4. Forum has basic e-infrastructure needed to communicate with members and the work it is doing.

Approach: The online platforms will be maintained by experienced Participatory Development Communication (PDC) staff at CBNRM-LI, with these people acting as editors and animators. The PDC staff essentially act as 'ICT Acceleration Activists', helping partners to learn about online communication and to contribute their own content to the site. The site itself should be built using an existing software like Drupal (works in Khmer already). Systems like this allow non-technical users to post their own content and make it easy to add new features in future. Lead partner: CBNRM-LI as managing partner for the site, with all partners contributing their own news and documents to the site. At least one full time PDC + a part time overall coordinator should be dedicated to this effort.

Financing: The existing 'programming' and 'services' line items in the Forum budget should cover basic web site creation. However, additional (or reallocated) resources will be needed for staffing.

Risks and obstacles: Setting up a web site and e-mail newsletter is easy. Getting partners to contribute interesting content is difficult. Motivating policymakers (and even other researchers) to read this material is hardest of all. The bulk of web site resources should go into editing, animating and promoting site content. A PDC approach will help here. Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Cambodia Forum: Accelerating Innovation + Collaboration with ICTs Idea #1: simple online communication amongst partners Vision: A simple way for Forum members to communicate with each other online. This allows researchers to ask for help and information when they need it. It also offers a regular flow of information about 'what's going on' in the Cambodian development research community. Features: 1. Basic e-mail list with searchable web archive of all postings. 2. Any member of the Cambodian development research can sign up and post.

Benefits: 1. Researchers have easy access to each other when they need help and advice. 2. Over time, creates a sense of community amongst researchers in Cambodia.

Approach: Set up simple email list(s) to start. Allow Forum members to post so they can communicate with each other. Also, include email contact info in web site directory. Partners: Run by CBNRM-LI as part of basic web site activities.

Financing: Should be possible to cover this from main web platform budget.

Risks and obstacles: This is a low cost / low risk approach using simple technology. Expansion only happens if there is demand. Idea #2: single access point for Cambodian research Vision: Cambodia Development Research Online Library that houses locally produced research, especially from Forum members. The library would make it easy for researchers and students to find useful research by Cambodians about Cambodia. It would also ensure results and (possibly) data sets produced by Cambodian researchers would be archived for posterity. Features: 1. Digital repository of research results from all Cambodian researchers (or possibly just Forum partners?). 2. Online search and retrieval of research results in PDF or plain text format. 3. Indexing of all materials in 'federated' open access catalogues such as the IDRC digital library. 4. Offline, walk-in access and printing through CDRI library and other sites run by partners. 5. High profile link from main Forum web site.

Benefits: 1. Forum partners have a place to publish and share their research results online. 2. Students and emerging researchers have access to current research results, improving their skills and the relevance of their own research. 3. Professional researchers save time by having results from colleagues 'at their fingertips'. 4. Cambodian research results are well archived and protected for posterity.

Approach: The Cambodia Development Research Online Library could be built on top of the existing CDRI library catalogue, which is running on top of widely used open source library management / open access software. This would, of course, depend on whether CDRI is interested in taking on this expanding library role and on financing. Offline access could be offered directly at the CDRI library, which is already well used by students. Library hours could be extended to include the weekend as a part of this Forum initiative. Partners: CDRI as host for the library (if willing), with all partners benefiting and contributing by providing research results.

Financing: Even if CDRI will host, new funds will be needed to extend the platform and cover increased operating costs.

Risks and obstacles: Partners may be concerned about consultants or commercial interests using their research to make a profit (this has already been flagged). This risk can be managed either by using a license that limits use of research results to non-profit, educational purposes or by holding back more detailed data sets and only publishing final reports. Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

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Cambodia Forum: Accelerating Innovation + Collaboration with ICTs Idea #3: cheaper, faster Internet access for researchers Vision: This idea has two parts. 1. Forum partners secure cheaper, better quality Internet access by negotiating with with ISPs as a consortium / buying club. 2. Work with ISPs to create a Cambodia Research and Education Network (C-REN) that leverages existing infrastructure to create a high speed network for researchers and educators within Cambodia. Features: 1. Standard discounted rate / improved service quality for Internet services purchased by Forum partners based in Phnom Penh. (short term) 2. Improved service for Forum partner offices based outside Phnom Penh. (medium term) 3. High speed / low cost network connecting research and education institutions in Cambodia. (long term)

Benefits: 1. Fast way to address with the problem of slow, expensive Internet service. This was the biggest ICT challenge identified by Forum partners. 2. Significant acceleration of what partners can do with ICTs is C-REN can be created. Allows video conferencing, shared GIS and other high end applications.

Approach: 1. Access consortium: Forum members approach the major ISPs as a buying block, offering to move all of their business to one provider if they can get a good deal / better service. 2. C-REN: Create a high speed 'virtual network' between research and education institutions. This network is high speed / low cost as it only handles traffic within Cambodia. This avoids international bandwidth bottlenecks and high costs. Existing Internet infrastructure is used. ISPs simply need to agree to set up their routers in a particular way to make this happen. This is a model common in other countries. Partners: Led by iReach working with all Financing: Negotiating for standard rates partners as well as private ISPs. May also involve is a low/no cost activity. C-REN is relatively Ministry of Telecom. low cost as it uses existing infrastructure. A small consulting study would be required to assess feasibility and actual costs. Risks and obstacles: With the consortium model, the main risk is that the ISPs simply won't agree to offer discounts. However, it is worth trying to get these discounts. There is nothing to lose. With the C-REN, the major risk is that it is not possible to build the right partnerships between the ISPs, government and research sector. The best way to manage this risk is to ensure there is up front support for the idea from high profile people. Idea #4: sharing advanced, high end infrastructure Vision: Once a C-REN is in place, partners could share high end online infrastructure such as video conferencing and GIS systems. Features: 1. Video conferencing within Cambodia / amongst Forum members. 2. Video based education by Forum members. 3. Shared research tools such as GIS and advanced data management.

Benefits: 1. Lower cost through cost sharing. 2. Increased collaboration using tools like video conferencing. 3. Increased ICT use by Khmer only speaking researchers via video.

Approach: These new tools could be rolled out over the C-REN if and when it is in place. Lead partner: To be determined.

Financing: Additional funding needed.

Risks and obstacles: There is high demand for high end tools like video conferencing. However, the base infrastructure needed to make these tools useful just isn't available yet. The biggest risk is trying to push these tools into use too quickly. Don't do this now. Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

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Cambodia Forum: Accelerating Innovation + Collaboration with ICTs

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Idea #5: improved ICT skills amongst ALL partners Vision: Improve the capacity of ALL Forum members through shared training and access to technical support. At the simplest level, this capacity building should include training on how to use the Forum web site and how increase the impact of your research using online communications. It is clear all partners would benefit from this. The capacity building effort could be extended beyond this to include ongoing hands-on technical support and assistance available to all of the partners on an as needed basis. Features: 1. Training on Forum web site for all partners. Includes how to post materials and promote your organization on the web site. 2. Training on how to increase the impact of research through online communication and networking. 3. Ongoing shared tech support and assistance for partners using the 'e-rider' model.

Benefits: 1. ALL partners get to a similar level in terms of ICT capacity, moving the research community along together. 2. Internal teams at Forum partner orgs increase skill rather than using consultants. 3. Over time, increased skill leads to increased collaboration using ICTs. 4. Mitigates problem of ICT staff turnover. Forum members support each other.

Approach: As most partners are in or near Phnom Penh, training sessions can be offered face to face on a once or twice a year basis. This might be tied into the All Partners meetings. Shared tech support could be offered using the 'e-rider' model, which uses roving technology consultants to work on a one-to-one basis with organizations focused on a common theme or activity (see: www.eriders.net). These e-riders would have a mix of technology and communications skills. Partners: CBNRM-LI could coordinate this work as it has a strong PDC / IT team, and there are training resources its portion of the IDRC budge. If the e-rider position was created, it could be housed at CBNRM-LI, CSD or iReach.

Financing: The training component of this is already covered in the Forum project budget from IDRC. Additional dedicated funding would need to be found if the Forum wants to hire an e-rider / tech support person.

Risks and obstacles: The biggest challenge relates to the uneven ICT capacity amongst partners. This can be managed in two ways: through a peer mentoring approach to the training sessions and through the customized supported offered by e-riders. Additional ideas Many of the conversations also surfaced the need for individual capacity building and support for the Forum members. The bulk of these needs can be addressed by the concepts above, especially the 'e-rider' shared tech support and training service. However, there are some cases, such as moving the Council for Social Development's court case database online, which could warrant targeted funding and support. These opportunities are flagged in the individual interview pages in Appendix C. Also, one of the biggest challenges for all Forum partners is rural Internet access and technical support. There may be ways that Forum members can leverage the experience of iReach in addressing this critical issue. However, this opportunity it currently limited to the two locations where iReach is working.

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The way forward As noted above, the next step in this process is for the Cambodia Development Research Forum members to review the ideas outlined above. In addition to covering general issues related to the forum, this meeting will provide an opportunity: 1. Decide which of ICT ideas outlined above should be pursued; 2. Further elaborate on ideas that remain a priority; 3. Identify partners to lead the different elements. Based on this input, CBNRM-LI and CDRI will develop an action plan for the of the ICT acceleration strategy. They will also identify areas where additional resources are needed, and will work with IDRC to find ways to address these resource gaps. One likely strategy will be to jointly invite other donors to join the Forum. These donors would at the same time be encouraged to some component of the ICT strategy. Risks and issues to consider There are a number of risks to keep in mind as the ICT acceleration strategy and action plan are developed. At the technology level, the issues to consider include: ●

All members face significant capacity, financial and infrastructure constraints when it comes to ICTs. The Forum ICT platform idea needs to take these constraints into account. Stay simple!

●

The biggest risk is leaving partners with lower ICT capacity behind. Anything we do must to include both upfront and ongoing capacity building to ensure that they partners have the chance to engage. We need to invest in the ICT capacity of individual members.

●

ICT funds in Forum project are not organized around the priorities described in this report. Also, it is likely that these funds will not cover all priorities. CBNRM-LI and CDRI will need need to review the structure of Forum ICT funds.

Mark Surman will remain available to the Forum coordinators during the development of the action plan. He can assist in developing approaches that manage these risks. In addition, there are a number of issues to keep in mind around the overall development of the Forum. These include: ●

There is some risk of duplication or confusion between the networking activities of the Forum and the activities of DReST. This needs to be monitored during Forum start. Also further discussion should take place with the DReST team to integrate and learn from their activities.

●

There is still confusion and debate about the audience of the Forum. Is it just researchers and students? ... policymakers? ... local communities? This needs to be clarified.

These issues must be addressed to ensure that the both the Forum and the accelerated ICT strategy succeed. IDRC's Hein Mallee and Jacqueline Loh will be available to work with the Forum members on issues like these.

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

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Appendix A: Partner brainstorm and capacity overview The following is an overview of findings from the capacity and ICT brainstorm interviews. This table is based on the detailed notes provided in Appendix C.

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?

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



     

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       

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

   

 

  

 

  





 

iReach

CDRI

  

NPWSO

WB­EIA

  

CFO

CRCD

 

CSD

LCSW

   

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

iReach

NPWSO

CFO

CSD

CDRI

WB­EIA

CRCD

LCSW

CFDD

CelAgrid

CBRNM­LI

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

PMCR



CFDD

ICT ideas mentioned during interviews Internet access buying consortium  Library of locally produced research  A way to communicate amongst members Shared ICT training  Shared videoconferencing site  Sharing of tech resource people (e.g. GIS)  Research project web sites  Package research for decision makers  Access to academic journals  Info about the Forum  Archive old datasets and reports (library+++)  Shared tech support  Newsletter about Forum members  Directory of Forum members (w/ links)  Public access site / ICT lab for researchers Info on research events and seminars  Peer help desk for researchers  Collective blogs by Forum members 

 

CelAgrid

CBRNM­LI Current ICT use and capabilities Computers available to research staff Internet access available to research staff SMS / mobile coordination with field staff  In­house IT support staff Ad­hoc / outsourced IT support Web site (basic) Web site (advanced / database driven) Posts research results and reports online Internal library database Library database shared with partners and public Databases for info / evaluation management Unreliable or slow Internet access (raised in interview) Expensive Internet access (raised in interview)

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Appendix B – ICT priorities identified by partners On the final day of interviews in Phnom Penh, the majority of the Forum partners gathered at CBNRM-LI to talk about the ICT Platform. The first half of the meeting was spent providing an overview of the broad spectrum of what ICTs can do and looking at examples of ICT innovation from around the world. The second half was spent reviewing and prioritizing ideas that emerged in the interviews detailed below. The ideas were ranked as follows: Priority Ideas

Votes

Difficulty (1 - 10)

Remarks

Internet access buying consortium

8

7

Worth trying, even if it doesn't succeed

Library of locally produced research

7

5

House at CDRI if possible

Way to communicate amongst members

7

2

E-mail list

Shared ICT training

6

5

Use e-rider model

Shared video conferencing site

5

9

Don't do now

Shared of tech resource people (eg. GIS)

4

5

Merge w/ training

Research project web sites

4

6

Defer unless stronger demand

Package research for decision makers

4

4

Include in basic newsletter effort

Access to academic journals

4

2

Should be easy, maybe do

Info about the Forum

3

1

Include in web site

Archive old datasets and reports (library+)

3

8

Don't do now

Shared tech support

2

5

Merge w/ training

Newsletter about Forum members

2

3

Include in web site

Directory of Forum members (w/ links)

2

3

Include in web site

Public access to info site (w/ local versions)

1

9

Don't do

Info on research events and seminars

1

2

Include in web site

Peer help desk for researchers

0

7

Don't do

Collective blogs by Forum members

0

6

Hard to motivate people

While this was just a quick prioritization with limited discussion, it matches well with the needs and ideas that emerged during the interviews. Some merging and refinement took place in writing the concepts outlined earlier in this paper. Forum members will likely want to evolve these ideas further at their meeting at the end of April.

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Cambodia Forum: Accelerating Innovation + Collaboration with ICTs

Appendix C – Reports from each of the partners The following pages include detailed notes on interviews with 12 members of the Cambodia Development Research Forum. The organizations interviewed include: 1. Community Based Natural Resource Management Learning Institute (CBNRM-LI) 2. Centre for Livestock and Agriculture Development (CelAgrid) 3. Community Fisheries Development Division (CFDD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 4. Participatory Management of Coastal Resources (PMCR), Ministry of the Environment 5. Legal Support for Children and Women (LCSW) 6. Cambodian Research Centre for Development (CRCD) 7. Ministry of Environment EEPSEA Project 8. Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) 9. Center for Social Development (CSD) 10. Community Forestry Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 11. Livelihoods in Protected Areas Research Project (LiPA) 12. i-REACH Project Each organization was asked about their general hopes for the Forum, their current uses of computers, the Internet and other ICTs and about their ideas on how the Forum could use ICTs collaboratively.

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CBNRM Learning Institute (project co-lead)

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Mission: learning and research on community-based natural resource management Strong information gathering and communication part of organizational DNA Commitment to participatory / community based communication Two departments working in this area: Learning and Sharing and Communications Worked closely with Communications team manager Sothyro (last name) throughout our interviews He is likely point person / facilitator re: most ICT platform work within the Forum Experience gathering and sharing information w/in a network via DREST project (via email) Communications team has six people: 1 manager; 3 Participatory Development Communication (PDC) support people; and two IT support people PDC people are combination writer / facilitator /editor role that help with info sharing Opportunity: we could use this PDC approach to gather and share information for the Forum. This would mean hiring and dedicating a person to this task. Databases used for monitoring and evaluation Internal digital library in 1.0 version that houses CBRN LI images and documents Partners contribute library content and get local copy of database in exchange Database and library software written by Communications department staff Challenge: the Web and ICTs are still hard for people. They can't always use the advanced functions we give them in systems like our library database. Challenge: people often say 'yes, I will contribute to this online forum' and then they don't. This is what happened with All CBNRM eForum. Anything the Forum does with ICTs needs to be very simple, and in both languages. Also, should include ICT mentoring support for all partners. Critical task for Forum: engage partners and build ownership from beginning. Important note: The bulk of the ICT platform funds in the Forum project are assigned to CBRNM-LI. This implies that they will lead the Forum ICT platform process, or at least develop and host the Forum web site. However, they still need to discuss whether they are willing and able to take this on as an organization. Certainly, they would make a great ICT platform lead / facilitator if they want the job. Note: coordinator of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC CBNRM Learning Institute, Sothyro and Rona Tel: +855-23-994935 / [email protected]

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CelAgrid

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Mission: Supervise graduate students and undertake applied research in sustainable agriculture Two locations: Phnom Penh office and research farm 25km south of city City office has computers, Internet access, LAN and local server Farm location has occasional electricity and expensive dial up Internet Also a number of researchers working in provinces, email access via cybercafes Coordination with farm office and field staff happens mostly by SMS and mobile Full time computer science graduate working as IT support and database admin Databases used for crunching research data and internal tracking Forum should focus on: capacity building for young researchers and information sharing amongst research organizations However, noted that they are often afraid to share because people will steal their work / don't give credit Opportunity: CDRI could provide research analysis training for young people (note: this is not an ICT specific idea) Felt that Forum ICT work should focus on two audiences: research organizations and grassroots. We should also reach out to policy makers. (note: the question of audience for the Forum was a point of discussion with most people we talked to) Opportunity: short policy briefings or other materials that summary research results from a number of different Forum members. The ICT component of the Forum should include: a library of Cambodian research and access to academic journals. (comment added by CelAgrid after the fact) Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC Khieu Borin, Director, Centre for Livestock and Agriculture Development Tel: +855-23-223640(0) / Mobile: +855-12-828942 / Email: [email protected]

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Community Fisheries Development Division (CFDD)

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Mission: government program to establish and strengthen community fisheries This includes research on livelihoods with IDRC and building community fisheries networks in three provinces. People in these networks meet and share experiences. Ly started the meeting with the question 'what is the Forum?' This is when we realized we'd really need to back up on this question for most or all of our meetings. Jackie explained and then we were able to jump into the conversation. Forum should focus on: sharing our research results and discussions on common research issues (e.g. gaining the trust of the communities we work with) Also mentioned training on research methodology and research quality (not an ICT issue) On ICT front, it is difficult for CFDD to cover access costs and get support This includes quite basic issues like the cost of licensing / updates for anti-virus software Internet access (and cost) are shared across the Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries Access is very unreliable. Often down for many days at a time. File and document sharing w/in the organization now relies on simple Ministry intranet, which is inaccessible when Internet is down. This makes it difficult to collaborate internally. Opportunity: Forum could use ICTs to provide a place for us to publish research results. ICTs could also update us about research by other members of the Forum. Used to have Australian ICT volunteer. This was very helpful, especially in dealing with viruses. Now rely on ad hoc hiring of outside IT support people. Some of the provincial offices we work with have computers, but Internet access and skills are poor. ●

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Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC Follow up: Mark or Jackie to send Ly information on free anti-virus software Ly Vuthy, Chief of Community Fisheries Development Office Fisheries Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tel: +855-23+215796, 011 660 840 / Email: [email protected]

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Participatory Management of Coastal Resources (PMCR)

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Mission: community based research on management of coastal research Includes information sharing that helps local people to connect to gov't and take action Techniques include study tours, workshops and training for people at local level Also, bring decision makers to meet local people. "Decision makers don't read long documents." Not clear on the idea of the Forum beyond 'just networking'. Jackie explained. The Forum idea is very good, but we need to remember that people often hide their work, especially the failures. Forum should focus on: keep it simple, focusing on annual meetings and research capacity building. Significant questions about which 'level' the Forum should work at: local communities; researchers; students; policy makers? Also, question about the connections between RLNBRM / DREST network on the Forum. Tension between functional (research skills) and thematic (natural resource management) focus on research networks / Forum. Suggested Forum could start by expanding to other orgs doing research in NRM rather than other orgs that have IDRC funding. The Internet is very useful for our research team, but not for the locals we deal with. Also use databases to crunch research and outsourced GIS support for maps. All-CBNRM not a positive experience with eForums. Would not want something like that. Part of the problem was that it was all in English. Opportunity: use video to capture stories from grassroots research, and then package these to show to policy makers and back to the community. (idea: iReach has skills in this) Make a link between the research we publish as a Forum and the IDRC open access repository. Be simple with the technology and focus on skills.

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Kim Nong, Deputy Director of Environmental Education Department Ministry of Environment Tel: +855-12-717223 (cell) / Email: [email protected]

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Cambodia Forum: Accelerating Innovation + Collaboration with ICTs

Legal Support for Children and Women (LCSW)

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Mission: legal support services to Cambodian women and children. Also involved in mainstreaming information about migration and human trafficking. Staff available to meet had limited English. Sothyro explained Forum idea in Khmer. Interested in the idea of an eForum and online discussion. Would like to get to know other research organizations. "Knowing other fields of development helps our legal work." We would like to share our research on migration and human trafficking with others. Run their own web site in English, Khmer, Japanese and French. Most info in English. At least half the staff use email, but mostly to communicate with other organizations. The problem with email is that the Internet is often down due to weather (2-3 times per week in rainy season). Tech support is outsourced, but expensive. We don't have money for this. When Internet up, they use Skype to talk to org director in London. The Forum should focus on: research capacity and cross disciplinary peer learning amongst members. Important for Forum ICT work to include strong translation component into Khmer. Opportunity: the Forum can be a synthesizer of information produced by its members. Somaly Chan, Program Manager (Acting co-director with Mrs. Poeung) Tel/Fax: +855-23-220626 / Mobile: +855-12-985 643 / Email : [email protected]

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Cambodian Research Centre for Development (CRCD)

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Mission: research network focused on CBNRM, climate change, renewables and water sanitation. Network consists mainly of experts outside of Cambodia, so heavily relies on Internet. Loose approach to network. Forms and disbands as needed for projects. They publish all of their own research on their website, plus some grey literature from others. Use SPSS to do research analysis and ArcView (outsourced) for GIS. Connectivity is a problem for collaboration on advanced applications like GIS. Opportunity: create an online method for researchers to ask each other questions / provide peer support. Especially useful in finding old research and reports. Opportunity: become a repository for datasets and reports from old research that are just sitting on people's hard drives. This is a major problem for Cambodian researchers. Opportunity: provide all Forum members with low cost or free access to academic journals, including those not funded by IDRC. Could happen through IDRC library or through EIFL. The Forum should focus on: sharing what all the researcher organizations are doing in their own little corner. Provide a regular map of what is going on. In terms of the web, the Forum should be a 'portal into research in Cambodia'. People would be willing to provide information about their own research if posting it to the web was easy. A Forum website would have the advantage of being much higher profile than my own. Opportunity: expand the membership of the Forum, and make sure to include other donors who fund research in Cambodia. This will be critical to sustainability. Roles for the Forum include synthesizer, radar, relationship building, navigational lens and archivist. Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC. Thanakvaro De Lopez Tel/Fax: +855-23-218370 / Mobile: +855-12-707401 / Email: [email protected]

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Ministry of Environment EEPSEA Project (now World Bank EIA project)

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Mission: Sideth's team in MOE now working on environmental impact assessmet framework funded through the World Bank. This project is just starting. The Forum should: connect researchers with each other. There is not enough of this in Cambodia. Opportunity: focus efforts on the annual Forum seminar (aka 'all partners'). Do an online journal or downloadable collection of papers based on this. It is important to involve other research organizations right from the beginning. It should not just be IDRC partners. Also worth noting that the research community is already networked in part through the annual seminars held at URPP every November. These cover social sciences, environment and culture. The Forum website should have a directory of researchers / who is doing what / events / seminars. It should also include a collection of locally produced research from Cambodia. Full text search is important. The EPPSEA web site is a good example to follow. It includes a regular newsletter and email alerts. Opportunity: create an annual online journal based on the work of the Forum members. ICTs have been a bit ad hoc for my new project. I showed up and there were no computers. We had to by them with project funds. We had to pay for Internet out of our own pockets. Note: member of existing DREST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC. Sideth Muong, Ministry of Environment Tel: +855-12-942084 / Fax: +855-23-219-287 / Email: [email protected]

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Cambodia Development Resource Institute (project co-lead)

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Mission: large, stable organization focused on development research in many areas. Need to improve own ICT capacity, especially around using strategically for research. Looking for advice and support on this. Despite this CDRI has strong foundation in terms of basic computer hardware and internal networking. This is managed by a very capable dedicated IT team. CDRI has two full time IT staff, an IT manager and an IT officer and a part time volunteer from Royal University of Phnom Penh. Video conferencing is a high priority for CDRI. Post their publications to the web, but only using simple HTML / PDF. Working through questions of when and how to share data and other materials. Right now they charge for some publications. Is planning to post all publications online for free, but not sure when. No policy for sharing raw data, so it doesn't happen. The Forum web site should have: publications; news; partner directory with links. Opportunity: provide access to international journals for all the people that use CDRI library. Also, would be good for Cambodian researchers beyond IDRC recipients to have online access to journals. (need to double check IDRC access okay in this regard, and also look at EIFL for broader access) 'The big problem is that people don't know what they do online. There is so much information available.' Still struggling with own internal data and knowledge management. Much information sits on different people's hard drives. Opportunity: CDRI has very strong library including digital repository of local research. However, it is only available on site. (idea: could be put online to meet the need for publishing locally produced research? Would need resources.) The physical library at CDRI is constantly used by students, about 50 a day. Many would like to have it open on weekends. (idea: use Forum resources to open on weekends ... given the importance to students, this would certainly contribute to the building research capacity in Cambodia) Also, CDRI library acts as local document repository for 1. The World Bank, 2. ADB, 3. IMF, 4. UN Research Institute for Social Development, 5. UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking Information Centre and 6. The Tonle Sap ILRC. Note: CDRI is using what looks like quite a good open source library management system called NewGenLib. Made in India, it acts as a traditional card catalogue, a digital library and an open access repository.See: http://www.newgenlib.com/Digilib.html Chan Sophal, Senior Research Manager, Poverty Studies and Research Networks Tel: +855-23-881384 / Mobile: +855-12-979298 / [email protected]

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Center for Social Development (CSD)

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Mission: well known Cambodian NGO working mostly on legal and human rights issues Extensive use of ICTs by CSD staff, especially in Phnom Penh HQ. However, staff in five provinces have no Internet in the office. These people coordinate with HQ via mobile phone and occasionally via cybercafes. This includes typical things like email, documents and skype ... but also extends to internal legal tracking database and other more advanced application. The CSD web site is content rich, with new material being added almost daily. However, it is still a static site using basic HTML. News clippings are posted as JPEGs. Opportunity: They are hoping to upgrade to an automated content management system in the near future. The site has an extensive section in Khmer, which is used heavily by students. However, there is a major challenge with translation which means the Khmer version often falls behind the English version. Opportunity: They also want to add a live version of their CourtWatch database to their website. CSD wants to become an exemplary ICT user and is looking for help with this. The Forum website should: act as a 'single clearinghouse' for research in Cambodia, including locally produced research results and a directory of researchers / research organizations. Many research orgs don't have own web site. This could be their platform. Website might also include a way that researchers and students can post draft research that others can comment on. The Forum needs to decide who it's audience is. At a minimum it should be students and researchers. Opportunity: the Forum could create a group blog to track each other's work. Sokleap, KEP Pilot Coordinator, Center for Social Development Tel: +855-23-364735 / Mobile: +855-12-222552 / Email: [email protected]

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Community Forestry Office (CFO)

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Mission: Formulate CF related policy and legal framework and support the implementation of community forestry on the ground. Research is only a an important part of the CFOs work. Main ICT project is community forestry database. Includes all community forests in Cambodia. This is used by local FA staff, NGOs, students and donors. The community forestry database is online at http://www.forestry.gov.kh/CFWeb/CFbyProvince.asp. However, CFO does not have a web presence for its publications and does not have an easy way to post materials to the Ministry web site. ○ Opportunity: offer CFO and other members their own page on the Forum web site. They would be able to update this page and add documents in an easy way. In the office, CFO has 10 computers for 20 people. They have Internet access provided centrally by the Forestry Administration. Support done informally by CFO staff, with outside help when needed. The Internet is used mainly for communication with outside partners, and not very much internally. Most of the local FA offices CFO works with do not have Internet. CFO communicates with them by phone. CFO is planning to build up its own GIS capacity within the next few months. This will happen by hiring an expert for six months to work with the team to build their skill. ○ Opportunity: if this works out, maybe contract for the expert could be extended by Forum to help members who want to do the same thing ... or CFO could become GIS support unit for the Forum. The Forum should: help us to see what others are doing and get their help. It should build a sense of collegiality. It is important that the Forum is open to all kinds of research organizations, and not just IDRC partners. Note: member of existing DReST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC Sokh Heng, Chief of Office, Community Forestry Office Forestry Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tel: 855-23-986332 / Mobile: +855-12-639961/ [email protected]

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008

Cambodia Forum: Accelerating Innovation + Collaboration with ICTs

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Livelihoods in Protected Areas Research Project (LiPA)

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Mission: To build capacity and skill on research, information sharing and intervention for improving livelihood of rural communities and maintaining sustainable ecosystem. Conduct participatory action research, supported by IDRC under coordinated by DReST. Already shares its research information with IDRC partners and others via this channel. They do not have a place to post their publications on the web. ○ Opportunity: offer LiPA and IDRC partners their own page on the Forum web site. They would be able to update this page and add documents in an easy way. The Forum website should: provide a place to post and share research with others. This should include both a national library for researchers and a community library with plain language materials. The approach for this should be 'learning by doing'. There needs to be a capacity building component. ○ Opportunity: the Forum could hire a shared ICT support person (an e-rider) who would be focused on running workshops and providing as needed support. Challenge: it should be recognized that it is hard to get people to share. This doesn't always happen well in our current project. People are busy. The sharing that does happen comes by email. The Forum should reach out to the public and policy makers. One idea would be to have a TV program like the Ministry of Environment does. There is a fair amount of internal information sharing about the research project, including a monthly report to the Director of the director of department of Nature conservation and Protection. However, this is information is not widely shared externally. Only about half of the team used computers actively. This is mostly related to English language skills. Staff in the provinces do not have computers or the Internet. Staff use own mobile phones to communicate. Internal staff do their own informal technical support. Major ICT project on horizon is to develop a database to support conservation zoning. This will need to happen once the Protected Area law is passed. Opportunity: shared Forum support person or more Forum members more experienced with databases might provide advice here. Note: member of existing DReST / rural livelihoods network supported by IDRC Sy Ramony LiPA Project team leader, and Chief of National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Office Tel./Fax: +855-23-21138 / Mobile: +855-12-832933 / Email: [email protected]

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Cambodia Forum: Accelerating Innovation + Collaboration with ICTs

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iReach

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Mission: consortium of organizations delivering telecentres+++ project in two Cambodian provinces. iReach is different than all of the others Forum members interviewed as it is not an individual organization or department. It is a consortium housed at the Ministry of Commerce with the Centre for Social Development and the Maharishi Verheydic (sp?) University as implementing partners. The project is experimenting with provincial telecentre networks connected by highspeed local wireless. Jackie and Mark travelled to both Kep and Kamchai Mer (sp?) to visit these projects. The core iReach team, the local projects and CSD all have strong ICT capacity. MVU is much weaker, although this is improving thanks to help from the local iReach team in Kamchai Mer (sp?). iReach also has access to a number of excellent international ICT advisors including Brian Unger and Sean O'Siochru. Given the nature of this consortium, the method of engagement with the Forum may need to be different than others above. For example, it may be that CSD (already a member) and MVU participate directly in the Forum beside / in addition to the main iReach project team. Opportunity: local iReach teams have strong technical capacity building experience. They could hook up with Forum members working in nearby areas to help out with technical work if there is geographic overlap. (note: the risk side is that this could distract from project work) During our time in Phnom Penh, Huor from iReach also introduced us to (name), who is a director at Telecom Cambodia and founder of IDRC-sponsored CamNet, the first ISP in Cambodia. We discussed at length the connectivity challenges facing both research organizations and the country as a whole. It was clear that the biggest challenges are related to the cost and availability of international bandwidth. There are also internal infrastructure problems, but these are less relevant to research organizations located primarily in Phnom Penh. Opportunity: the bandwidth challenges faced by Cambodian research organizations could be addressed in part by the creation of a high speed / low cost Cambodian national research and education network (C-NREN). This could be used for domestic collaboration amongst Forum members using advanced ICT applications. Similar approaches were used to build the original foundations of the Internet in the US and now exist in developing countries such as Ecuador. Huor's connections to major ISPs and Brians experience with research networks in Canada position iReach well to help the forum related to joint bandwidth purchases or creation of an NREN. Chea Sok Huor, Project Manager, i-REACH Project Tel: +855-11-811947 / Mobile: +855-12-811947 / Email: [email protected]

Prepared by Mark Surman, May 2008