ArabDev

Its focus includes, using ICTs for:

• Poverty reduction.
• Skill development.
• Dissemination of developmental information.
• Creation of linkages between NGOs.
• Supporting developmental advocacy.

ArabDev, which is a member of the Association for Progressive Communications, has reported recent initiatives to spread free software among youth in the disadvantaged south of Egypt. The group reported working with two middle schools in the Al Menia governorate, and also with the Faculty of Computer Engineering of the Menia University.

For this project, the goal is to establish a "core group" of FLOSS users in the Minya Governorate, which could act as a south Egyptian "diffusion point".

So far, it has created computer labs or telecentres in some schools, which also offer their services to the community. In the Association for Progressive Communications report for 2005-06, it was stated that ArabDev reached an agreement with the Egyptian education department to collect fees, so as to make this venture sustainable.

• ArabDev
• Podcast on ArabDev team's attempt at popularising FLOSS through telecentres
• Computers and domestic violence in Egypt
• Children hungry for computer training held back by lack of PCs in Upper Egypt
• Playing games with computer education: ArabDev’s Menia initiatives