Glocal (Global+Local) Connectivity: Experience from DrikTAP to Banglarights


Abstract

DrikTAP was set up in April 1994 and has provided multifunctional electronic mail to link field workers, local organizations, technological institutions, international development organizations as well as governments, educational institutions and individuals. It was the largest node in Toolnet, a network for small scale development projects setup with the idea of fostering the exchange of information, experiences, expertise and solutions to technical problems between southern partners. This allowed organisations in Latin America, Africa and Asia to communicate via off-line email to each other and to national and international networks. DrikTAP, helped to introduce full-fledged internet in Bangladesh.

Having pioneered the introduction of email into Bangladesh, Drik continues to take the lead in new media, through not only the launch of the nation's first webzine Meghbarta, the country portal Orientation, online presentation Power of Culture, Positivelives and the country's first human rights portal Banglarights, but also through its broad band direct satellite link. It launches biannually Chobi Mela, the first festival of photography in Asia, and Drik Partnership, a global conglomerate consisting of some of the most innovative organisations in Asia, Africa and Europe. Its training programmes range from providing education for working class children to training the region's brightest young photojournalists through Pathshala. Since inception at 1989 Drik is promoting a more positive view of developing countries through grabbing the digital opportunity in photography, media and information dissemination services with the vision of changes. It always appreciates and practices the latest high tech in its projects for social justice, good governance and human rights development.

Online image bank 'Majority World.Com', use of Wi-Fi and 'touch screen' technology for e-health and e-governance are its ongoing projects. The main objective of the presentation is to encourage the audiences by the sharing its ICT success stories and pioneering experiences.

Biography

Shahjahan Siraj, Team Leader, Drik Multimedia
House - 58, Road - 15A, Dhanmondi R/A
Dhaka - 1209, Bangladesh
Email: siraj@drik.net
URL: www.drik.net/siraj

Shahjahan Siraj, team leader of Drik Multimedia department and ICT4D practitioner in Bangladesh. Drik is a social conscious world renowned media and photo resource centre based in Dhaka. Siraj designed the official website of Drik, Pathshala and Chobi Mela. The "Power of Culture: Bangladeshi Spirit" website is one of his favorites which is also translated into Dutch language. He has designed more than 30 websites, and involved a number of multimedia and audio-visual productions. His multimedia creation 'Bangladesh: Images and Impressions', is widely used for positive presentations of Bangladesh Worldwide which recognized as a successful initiative against the Western media stereotypes presentation about Bangladesh. It contains scores of famous photographs about the country's nature, history and cultural heritage.
Along with his designing and online management responsibilities, Siraj is the webmaster and moderator of Banglarights.net, is the country's first human rights web portal. A committed ICT practitioner Siraj is initiator of e-group the "unnayan-news". He also moderator of 'AMPGBD· Bangladesh Alternative Media Practitioners Group' and "south-dialogue", is a platform of human rights activist from Latin America, Africa and Asia. Before Drik, he worked in AVCom, is a prominent audio visual production house in Bangladesh and famous for its development documentaries.

Academically Siraj is M.Sc in Geological Sciences from Jahangirnagar University, but well trained in 'Multimedia and Communication' at home and aboard. He is also a member 'Bangladesh Multimedia Association', MirandaNet and 'TakingITGlobal'. Siraj would like to use ICT and digital opportunity for poverty alleviation, community development and to rise up social awareness for democracy, good governance and true leadership.

© 2003-2006 CIMAP| Last modified: 08/28/2006