November 11, 2002

By Amy Glynn Hornick, News@Cisco

This week, News@Cisco brings you the thoughts and insights of Cisco Fellow and Chairman of the Board with the Internet Society Fred Baker as he travels through Africa to promote the Internet's role in fueling economic development.

"I believe the Internet can make life better for people throughout the world, and one of my goals is to help make the Internet available globally," says Baker. "An effective way to accomplish this is to increase activity in the areas of public policy, education and training."

Baker will stop at Cisco's 2002 Africa Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Africa Forum is a Networking Academy event designed for Academy Instructors in Sub-Saharan Africa participating in the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Initiative. The LDC Initiative reaches out to teach those in developing countries the IT skills they need to promote sustainable economic growth and further integrate both their communities and their countries into the world economy. The Africa Forum will enable participants to strengthen their knowledge of the Academy program, meet with top Cisco engineers, address quality assurance issues, share best practices in gender equity and student recruitment, and learn about new curriculum modules and technology.

Although LDCs are lacking many basic resources, often including food and medicine, the Internet represents economic strength and the opportunity to actively participate in the global economy. "These countries place a tremendous level of importance on the Internet," says Baker. "LDCs see the economic power that the technology makes available, and realize that if they don't get in the boat, it won't carry them downstream."

As part of the Gender Initiative Project, Baker will also head to the recently established Cisco Networking Academy (CNA) at the Makerere University's school for women in Kampala, Uganda. He plans to discuss options for opening a Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP^TM) instructor training program there. The Gender Initiative Project (http://gender.ciscolearning.org/) was established by Cisco and the Cisco Learning Institute (CLI) in April 2000 to address the current gender digital divide in the Internet Economy. This initiative seeks to increase female access to IT training and career opportunities by proactively promoting greater participation of women in information technology, beginning with the Cisco Networking Academy program. Baker will also be conducting a teacher training program at a conference for LDC CNA instructors in South Africa.

"Cisco is very interested in initiating a training program to engage all members of society in the growth of the Internet in Africa," says Baker. "My personal emphasis is on teaching teachers--of whatever gender--and therefore promoting education for all." Establishing CNAs in locations like Makerere University provides women with access to cutting edge IT skills and industry standard certification. This enables them to contribute to the development of the IT sector in their community and enhances their own economic well being. The Academy program offers personalized learning to help women overcome time and distance barriers often associated with continuing their education.

As someone who has been active in the growth and globalization of the Internet from the beginning, Baker's initiative, which includes interactions with some of Africa's most prominent business, political, and educational luminaries, promises to advance his technological and humanitarian goals. He is uniquely positioned to share his experiences and knowledge with Africa's leaders to ensure that the skills and education required to grow the Internet are made universally available. Log-on to News@Cisco for the next few days to read Fred Baker's journal updates revealing first-hand the challenges and successes of his travels.

Fred Baker is a Cisco Fellow and the Chairman of the Board of the Internet Society. This online journal entry is from his trip last month to South Africa and Uganda.

Amy Glynn Hornick is a freelance writer based in San Francisco, CA.