1 Apr 2010 - Last year, Several schools in Nigeria participated actively in marking the WTISD which had the theme: “Protecting children in cyberspace”. Did you know over 75% of children online are willing to share personal and sensitive information about themselves and their family? How does this affect city life? For Better City, for Better Life? Children and young people in the cities need to use the Internet for growth and development. But the same ICT driven environment can be a source of concern and abuse. Read the Event Report - African Children Cyber Safety Initiative!

 

This year 2010, the “Better City, Better Life and Security with ICTs for Young People” Forum is being held on May 25, 2010 to mark the WTISD. The active involvement of several schools, non governmental organizations and private sector companies at last year’s WTISD forum organized by African Information Security Association (AISA) led to the creation of the African Children Cyber Safety Initiative.  In fact the AISA 2009 forum was globally recognized through the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as one of the Worldwide Initiatives organized to mark the 2009 World Telecommunications and Information Society Day.

The AISA forum has been recognized by the ITU as one of the Worldwide Initiatives organized to mark the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2009.

The African Children Cyber Safety Initiative is a recognized by the ITU as a Children Online Protection Initiative

Click this link for the List of  Winners of the African Children Cyber Safety Competition

 

“Better City, Better Life and Security with ICTs for Young People” Forum

As a follow up to the 2009 event the African Children Cyber Safety Initiative intends to mark the 2010 WTISD through the “Better City, Better Life and Security with ICTs for Young People” Forum to highlight how online security of children fits into the “Better City, Better Life with ICTs” theme. Activities will promote the active involvement of students and schools in cities in strategies to protect children in cyberspace and promote their safe access to online resources, in addition to the provision of better life for children through ICTs. Several schools will be represented at the forum.

The forum takes place at Grace Schools, Plot 241 Ajidagan  Street, Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria. Date is May 25, 2010. Time is 10 a.m.

 

AISA members in different parts of Africa and across the world,  are encouraged to carry out similar initiatives and report back to AISA.

The African Information Security Association (AISA) is a member organization created to promote Information security in Africa. Members campaign against Cybercrime, provide content and organize events and activities that support the secure use of computers and online facilities in Africa. It focuses on awareness, continuous professional development, policies and linkages/networks for information security development in Africa. AISA promotes and supports the African Children Cyber Safety Initiative. AISA looks forward to collaborating with you to protect children and young people in cyberspace.

Jidaw Systems Limited, a corporate member of the Nigeria Computer Society, presently serves as the AISA secretariat.

Areas of interest include ICT and Threats to Children in the cities; Risks and vulnerabilities to children in cyberspace; Raising awareness within stakeholders; Identifying and developing preventive measures and practical tools to reduce threats and minimize risk; Sharing of best practices, knowledge and experience.

The theme of this year’s WTISD aims to ensure that ICTs will contribute to a better future for the growing populations in urban centres. The AISA forum will address the secure use of ICTs by children in Nigeria for better cities and better lives.

Promoting Awareness - All Key Stakeholders involved - Better Lives, Better Cities

AISA in line with its mission to promote information security therefore created the “Better City, Better Life and Security with ICTs for Young People” forum to protect and realize the rights of children in building better cities. Promoting awareness is critical in key aspects of developing an inclusive knowledge society. Information security and especially the protection of children online is no exception. All key stakeholders are involved in the ““Better City, Better Life and Security with ICTs for Young People” initiative – children, parents, students, educators, business owners, civil society, etc. AISA plans to examine the role of different stakeholders and existing initiatives, as well as the development of Practical “Online Children protection” strategies in cities.

Let’s be honest, we need to address the growing threats to children in the cities as they browse the Internet and access information online.

The Opportunities. The Threats. Better Cities, Better Lives.

The startling truth is that computers have transformed the world – more opportunities and better prospects - especially in the cities. In fact digital literacy has become a life skill just like reading and writing. Change has been massive according to the ITU website, “By the end of 2008, there were over 1.5 billion people online, up from under 200 million at the beginning of 1998”. The explosion is greatest in the cities. Children use the Internet to learn, access information, communicate with friends and network with their peers.

But at the same time, especially in the cities which have better access to ICTs, young people are giving out personal and sensitive information to strangers online. This obviously cannot lead to a better future for the children in urban centres. Children are being exposed to pornography online. It is clear that guardians, teachers and parents are not doing enough. What is the point of ICT in the cities if it is retarding the growth of the children and the youth? According to ITU surveys: “Over 60% of children and teenagers talk in chat rooms on a daily basis; 3 in 4 children online are willing to share personal information about themselves and their family in exchange for goods and services; 1 in 5 children will be targeted by a predator or paedophile each year; While 30% of teenage girls say they have been sexually harassed in a chat room, only 7% tell their parents, for fear their online access will be limited”. This is happening more in the cities than anywhere else.

African Information Security Association (AISA)

AISA is fully involved in the movement to tackle the growing threats to children as they browse the Internet and access information online, especially in the cities where internet availability is higher. AISA is member driven organization. It is created to promote Information security in Africa. Members get involved through events, web content, campaigns against Cybercrime as well as activities that support the development of secure information environments in Africa.

 

 

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

The World Telecommunication Day has been celebrated annually on 17 May since 1969, marking the founding of ITU and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution (A/RES/60/252) in March 2006 stipulating that World Information Society Day shall be celebrated every year on 17 May. In November 2006, the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Antalya, Turkey, decided to celebrate both events on 17 May as World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

Click this link for learn more about the African Information Security Association (AISA)

 

AISA Content   AISA Content is provided by Jidaw Systems on behalf of The African Information Security Association (AISA)   Jidaw Systems Limited (Jidaw) is an information technology solution provider that specializes in IT Consulting, e-business, Content provision, Web Publishing, Computer Networking and Training. Jidaw Systems Limited, developed and runs www.jidaw.com   Jidaw Systems Limited is the originator of the IT Entrepreneurship Guide series - Success in IT Business programs and a Foremost Authority on IT Career development. Jidaw Systems is a NASITEA partner.     IT Career Development.   A major focus of Jidaw (Mastercomputers) is the promotion of IT Career Development. Jidaw presents the monthly FREE IT Career Seminars to address career and certification issues for newcomers, career changers and IT professionals.     The one and only Information Technology Entrepreneur Guide   Success in IT Business (SITB) training program is designed to help you start your New IT Business. Now You have an uncommon, hard-to-find opportunity to learn first hand from the real world ideas and experience of IT Entrepreneurs.   Prepare Yourself for the no-nonsense Information Technology Entrepreneurship Business program -Success in Information Technology Business (SITB) program. Discover the Reality and Principles required to create your own Profitable and Sustainable IT Business.

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