Dear Colleagues, For those studying technology and social change, this might be of interest. RG Lentz (UT Austin) -------------------------------------- Summer Source Software Camp for NGOs Call for Participants 29th of August to 6th of September (travel days included), Island of Vis, Croatia See www.tacticaltech.org <http://www.tacticaltech.org/> for complete information. Deadline for applications: 25th July, 2003. Calling all eRiders - Tech Activists - Free and OpenSource software Developers - NGO Geeks! If you are… Working with technology and non-profits in Southeast, Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucases or Central Asia Interested in the use of free and open source software for civil society Ready to spend an intensive week of hands-on training with people from the region who share your interests …then we want you at the first Summer Source camp. Tactical Technology Collective Amsterdam and Multimedia Institute Croatia, in partnership with the Open Society Institute, invite you to Summer Source camp, a seven-day gathering of individuals and organizations working to implement free and open source software solutions for civil-society organizations (NGO's, activists, educators and independent media), from a practical, application-based perspective; you will do, not just debate. The camp will offer parallel tracks for implementers and developers with numerous shared sessions, from open talk to open practice, as well as a project flea market (an exhibition of free and open source software, tools and projects for NGOs). For both developers and implementers, the camp will offer a chance to meet and work on practical issues with potential project partners. In concert with a rich program, we will set aside time on the beautiful island of Vis, Croatia for relaxation and recreation. The gathering will serve as an oasis of sorts, providing pause and perspective in tandem with inspiration and informal interaction. You will stay in barracks at a camp site on the island, and excursions beyond the camp grounds will offer fresh vistas and opportunities to meet new friends. We hope to see you there! Participants The camp will host a total of sixty participants doing work in central and eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Caucuses, and Central Asia. We will also have a few select participants from Asia and Africa. We will work in a multi-cultural environment, with participants ranging, so far, from India, Indonesia, Singapore, Southern Africa, Poland, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Mongolia. The group will be composed of two distinct sets of participants: those implementers (non-profit ICT consultants, NGO technology service providers, NGO-friendly ISP staff, in-house IT staff) tasked with specifying and deploying technology solutions in NGO's, which would benefit from F/OSS training, and developers working to create new and better free and open source software platforms, applications, and infrastructure for NGO's. Ideally participants will already be familiar with Internet, free and open software (F/OSS) and NGOs, but we are also looking to grow the community working on these issues, recruiting those with knowledge and passion to bolster the success of the event. Agenda The aim of the program for implementers is to set up a NGOs’ free and open source software environment, and to be able to demonstrate the advantages of the use of free and open source software for civil-society organisations. Topics offered for this group will include process models for analysis and implementation, selecting and recommending toolsets, network options and backend solutions; hands-on implementation and use of different GNU/Linux distributions, internet and desktop tools; finding developers and resources; support and training for non-profits; case studies and success stories. Topics offered for developers will include technical skillshares; building developer communities around projects; collaborating with dispersed teams; funding and revenue generation; working with a non-profit user community; designing with users in mind; promoting projects to a user base; planning and managing a free and open source software project for non-profits; development cycle and business models; case studies and success stories. A substantial portion of the gathering will be devoted to shared sessions bringing implementers and developers together for discussion, brainstorming, practice, alliance building and visioning for the future. In addition, there will be free-form skillshares and a showcase in open access, content, services and tools. Evening programs will include music, lectures, discussions, screenings, and open content. Event Details and Application The Summer Source Camp will take place on the island of Vis in Croatia, from the 29th of August to the 6th of September (travel days included). Applications may be submitted via email. The application form can be downloaded at: http://www.tacticaltech.org>, or requested by e-mail at sumersource_participants@tacticaltech.org mailto:sumersource_participants@tacticaltech.org>. Deadline for applications: 25th July, 2003. IF YOU NEED A VISA FOR CROATIA PLEASE APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SINCE THE PROCESS MAY TAKE LONG. Later applications may still be considered depending on space availability. However, we strongly encourage you to apply as early as you can to make sure your application is considered. The fee for each participant is EUR 150. Participants may apply to a subsidy fund to cover participation fee and travel costs. We can> '> t cover all travel fees, but we do have a travel fund that can be used to help those who really need it to get there. If you need a subsidy to attend, please fill in the funding questions in the application form and it will be considered. All such requests will be evaluated on a needs and availability basis, therefore, the earlier you apply, the greater the chance of receiving a subsidy. Once participation has been confirmed, we will encourage participants to make flight reservations as soon as possible, as this is the end of summer season and flight availability may still be substantially limited. Flights should be booked to Split or Zagreb, Croatia. Participants will need to inquire about obtaining a Croatian visa from a Croatian consulate before confirming participation. Accommodations will be in barracks at the camp, with sheets and bedding provided. Breakfast and dinner (included in the participation fee) will be served daily. There will be additional food and shopping facilities within a 10-minute walk of the camp site. We are still open for proposals for the project flea market (exhibition of free and open source software software, tools and projects for NGOs) and a few applications for facilitators. If you are interested, contact us at sumersource_info@tacticaltech.org <mailto:sumersource_info@tacticaltech.org>. See www.tacticaltech.org <http://www.tacticaltech.org> for complete information. Organizers Summer Source Camp is being organized by Tactical Tech Collective (www.tacticaltech.org <http://www.tacticaltech.org>> ) and Multimedia Institute (www.mi2.hr <http://www.mi2.hr>), in partnership with the Open Society Institute (www.soros.org <htt://www.soros.org>).