06 September 2000

Bonn, Germany: A Chinese proverb says: "Teach thy neighbour everything you know yourself". This is what Gérard Guillerm, a French information technology (IT) specialist and UN Volunteer in Kyrgyzstan practices every day. Working in a team of 20 UN Volunteers, he sets up computer facilities and Internet connections for local communities. IT activities started in January 1998 in nine pilot municipalities in the south-west corner of the sparsely populated Central Asian country. The aim is to link up the communities into an electronic communication network, thereby enabling them to exchange valuable information on local developments.

"By now all nine communities have been connected to electronic mail, which greatly facilitates the exchange of experiences and advice," explains the French UNV. "Since the start of the work, both planning and completion of community projects have been considerably accelerated," he adds. Results are striking. With the help of the network and exchange of information, a school was set up in one community and public baths built in another. Wells were drilled in several villages, connecting them to potable water. The Kyrgyz Government has welcomed the operations as part of its own decentralization efforts.

In Bishkek, the official seat of government, UNVs set up an internal network allowing for the circulation and use of data-processing resources of the national non-governmental organization, "Forum of Local Municipalities". The Forum has conducted a public media campaign to encourage other people to take an active part in managing their villages.

The work of the UN Volunteers is not limited to the installation of hardware and programming of software for specific community needs. Gérard has also taken active part in the training of 15 national volunteers working in the nine municipalities. "They have set up an electronic guide for local project initiatives as well as an information centre, providing electronic data on geography, demography, industry, agriculture, education and health," he says. The work of the national UNVs is being supported by the management expertise of three international UNV specialists from Nepal, Ethiopia and France. "Their collaboration is harmonious and functions admirably well," he says of the work of national UNVs and international specialists.

During daily training seminars, the administrative staffs of the different municipalities are coached on the use of computers. Classes are organized in cooperation with the national universities, which are providing teachers and computer-equipped rooms. Participation rates at seminars are high and represent all age categories," Gérard notes. Many community employees have also made use of evening classes." The French UNV recalls the scepticism of the administrative employees towards the training in data processing. "Today, they are the first ones to complain when the electronic mail does not function or the Internet connection is too slow," he says.

The project will end in December 2000. Project coordinators hope to find sufficient funds to continue the programme, and expand it to other areas. The ultimate goal of the project is to link all 456 communities within one large computer network, notes Gérard. To date, the UNV programme and the Danish Trust Fund have financed the project.