Subject: Conference on Information Technology in Asia: Information Equality in the Next Millennium The Asia Regional Conference of The International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Working Group 9.4 - on The Social Implications of Computers In Developing Countries At the Merdeka Palace Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. September 15th - 16th, 1999. Organised by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) **Important dates** 300-word abstract February 26th, 1999 Full papers March 31st, 1999 Notification of accepted papers by June 18th , 1999 Accepted manuscripts, by July 16th , 1999 Conference home page: http://www.unimas.my/cita99/biodiv/bswg6/indexf.html Theme The United Nations is greatly concerned about the imbalance in access to communication facilities. The information technology gap and related inequities between industrialized and developing nations are widening. Most developing countries are not sharing in the communication revolution. A new type of poverty - information poverty - looms. Information Technology has undoubtedly fuelled the startling pace of Asia's recent development. Yet, tremendous contrasts still exist throughout Asia in the extent and depth of IT use. For most Asians, telephone calls are a rare luxury and computers are unknown. Are the poor destined to be perpetual bystanders on the information superhighway? Will the next millennium herald an information age which is inhabited by a minority elite only or will the poor majority be allowed to share equally in the benefits of a wired society? Topics The IFIP 9.4 Asian Regional Conference addresses these questions. Contributions are sought, but are not limited to, the following topics Policy - national IT policy endeavours - diffusion of IT - barriers and facilitators - electronic government and information equality - policy-making processes and information provision Technology - IT for small and medium sized enterprises in developing countries - rural and remote access to the Internet - IT infrastructures in developing countries - appropriate technology for information equality - technology transfer Economy - micro-economy and IT for development - new opportunities for employment with IT - IT and income inequalities - aid funding for IT in development - IT, globalisation and development Culture - IT and cultural preservation - IT and gender issues for development - First World communities and IT - cross-cultural comparisons Education - IT and education for the masses - Institutional capacity building - IT for distance learning and poverty alleviation Welfare - social justice through information access communications and social equality - information equality - electronic government and information equality - NGOs and IT in development Health - health and welfare telematics Environment - environmental protection and IT Submission Categories 1. Papers 1.1 Research Papers A full length original and previously unpublished paper describing conceptual or empirical research (12 to 15 pages). 1.2 Case Studies and Practitioner Papers Original descriptions of IT implementations which highlight aspects of the conference theme (12 to 15 pages). 1.3 Work in Progress Descriptions of either research proposals or research in progress or a summary of tentative research results (less than 10 pages). 2. Panel Discussions Proposals for a panel of up to four individuals each of whom will make a five-minute presentation on a single theme topic followed by an open discussion. Proposals should name the panel members and should specify their credentials in relation to the chosen topic (up to four pages). 3. Tutorials Proposals will be considered for tutorials by suitably qualified/experienced individuals on topics relevant to the conference theme (up to four pages). 4. Parallel Events Workshops, special interest group meetings, and technology demonstrations can also be entertained. Please contact the Committee Chairman, Dr. Khairuddin Ab Hamid (khair@mailhost.unimas.my) All presenters of research papers, case studies, practitioner papers, panel discussions, work in progress, tutorials and parallel events must register and pay for the conference. Submission Guidelines 1. Papers Send an abstract of up to 300 words in the first instance for guidance and indication of appropriate content. 2. Proposals for panel discussions, tutorials and parallel events should be sent in full with details and rationale of the topic and the participants. Submissions should be accompanied by a separate cover letter with every author(s) name, address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and full affiliation. All correspondence will be sent to the first author unless otherwise specified. Full-length papers should not be under review by any other publication or conference. Electronic submissions are preferred. Deadlines 1. 300-word abstract submitted to programme chairs for guidance and indication of appropriate content by February 26th, 1999 2. Full papers submitted to the programme chair by March 31st, 1999 3. Notification of accepted papers to authors by June 18th , 1999 4. Accepted manuscripts, camera-ready, sent to the programme chair; author(s) must register by this time. by July 16th , 1999 For more information please check the web page at: http://www.unimas.my/cita99/biodiv/bswg6/indexf.html or contact Roger Harris roger@fit.unimas.my) Chair: Conference Committee Dr. Khairuddin Ab Hamid, Dean, Faculty of Information Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia. (khair@mailhost.unimas.my) Chair: Programme Committee Dr. Roger Harris, Faculty of Information Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak Malaysia. (roger@fit.unimas.my) Programme Committee Dr. Roger Harris Dr G. Harindranath Dr. Chrisanthi Avgerou Prof. Yoshiyori Urano Prof. Doug Vogel Dr. Robert Davison Prof. Subhash Bhatnagar Dr. Shirin Madon Dr. Mikko Korpela Md. Mahbubur Rahim Dr. Gurpreet Dhillon Dr. Afzaal H. Seyal Dr. Muhammad Ghazie Ismail Prof. Justo Diaz Dr. Abdul Rahman Bidin Prof. Ir. Dr. Mashkuri Yaacob, Dr. Prashant Palvia, Mr. Narayanan Kulathuramaiyer Dr. Yap Chee Sing Roger Harris Dr. Roger Harris Faculty of Information Technology UNIMAS - Universiti Malaysia Sarawak 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia http://www.fit.unimas.my:8080/~roger/home.htmxf.html