Microsoft's "ICTs for NGOs" Day

As part of its aims to strengthen its role and contribution to the NGO sector, Microsoft, together with SANGONeT will be hosting a one-day seminar on Tuesday, 20 April 2010, at the Diakonia Centre in Durban, to discuss ways in which NGOs can use ICTs more strategically.

In the State of ICTs in the South African NGO Sector 2009 [1]survey, conducted by World Wide Worx on behalf of SANGONeT, and sponsored by Microsoft and the NDA, it was found that technology is increasingly impacting on all aspects of the NGO sector.

The study showed that for the first time NGO decision-makers are becoming adept at cutting edge tools like mobile applications and social networking services. However, these are mostly being used in their personal capacity, with half of all respondents using local social networking services, but only 6% of them using it in pursuit of the goals of their organisations. The benefit of the pervasiveness of the personal use of advanced tools will be a faster adoption of these tools and methodologies, going forward. It is anticipated that many new platforms and applications, primarily focused on mobility, will become the mainstay of technology adoption in the NGO sector.

So, how do NGOs start using these tools effectively in their work?

By means of its products, building relationships and partnerships with strategic roleplayers in the NGO, government and private sectors; and to provide leadership and guidance to the Southern African NGO sector as far as ICT issues are concerned, Microsoft seeks to answer that question.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how ICTs can be used more strategically in your organisation.

If you would like to attend this event, please contact Nhlanhla Kunene at SANGONeT on telephone: 011 381 3408 or email: nhlanhla@sangonet.org.za [2] .

Seminar Agenda

09:30-10:00	Registration
10:00-10:15	Welcome	David Barnard, SANGONeT
10:15-10:45	NGOs & ICTs: Challenges & Opportunities	Matthew de Gale, SANGONeT
10:45-11:00	Coffee Break
11:00-12h30	What Microsoft Offers to NGOs	Microsoft & SANGOTeCH
12h30-13h00	Case Study: Creating A Sustainable Knowledge Centre	Ahmed Ismael , Siyafunda CTC
13h00-14h00	Lunch
14:00-15:00	Windows 7: Why NGOs should adopt	Microsoft Expert