I briefly want to explain our theme to you which is ‘Africa’s Underdevelopment: Digital Citizens Talk Back’.

What we are trying to do is look closely at how the development story is being told by digital citizens. DCI aims to give a voice to communities that would otherwise not be heard and this year we focus on three topics that touch on Africa’s underdevelopment: the exploitation of Africa’s rich natural resources, responses to natural disasters and climate change and the debate about the development benefits of mega events such as the 2010 World Cup. All these panels link together as they all help us to understand the role of digital citizens in disseminating the voice of Africa’s citizens.

I would quickly like to take you through our programme, we are on page 42 to 50 in the Highway Africa programme book – because there are, for various reasons, some minor changes.

09:30 – 10:30 Panel Discussion 1 is Citizen Media on Disasters & Climate Change

Nathalie Hyde-Clarke, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Communication and Media Studies at the University of Johannesburg, thank you for accepting our invitation to chair this session as Bobby Soriano will not be attending. Tactical Technology is however represented, you can find their security booth in the Eden Grove foyer. They also run short workshop there about online security please go check it out.

Carel Pedre, Shorty Award winning Radio DJ from Haiti

Laura Walker Hudson, Product Manager at FrontlineSMS

Rory Williams, Civil Engineer and Blogger at CarbonSmart.com

11:00 – 12:00 Panel Discussion 2 is Mega Events – Whose voices are heard?

The moderator for this session is also Nathalie Hyde-Clarke

Niren Tolsi, World Cup reporter at the Mail & Guardian

Eduardo Avila, Regional Editor for Latin America at Global Voices Online, Acting Director of the Rising Voices outreach division and coordinates Global Voices’ coverage of the 2010 World Cup

Kwanele Butana is the Citizen Journalism Editor at Grocott’s Mail, Grahamstown’s local newspaper

12:00 – 13:00 Panel Discussion 3 is Natural Resource Exploitation Exposed

The moderator for this session is no longer Ashraf Patel but Daudi Were who is a Kenyan human rights defender and political commentator, you can find him on www.mentalacrobatics.com or @mentalacrobatics. Daudi, thank you for again taking part in the DCI conversation.

Chisomo Phiri, also a warm welcome to you – you were our final addition to our programme. Chisomo works for Caritas Zambia that is dedicated to the promotion and protection of human dignity and sustainable development.

Anya Schiffrin, Acting Director of the International Media and Communications program and an adjunct professor in the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Eric Mokuoa, spokesperson for the Bench-Marks Foundation in South Africa that monitors multinational corporations that operate in Southern Africa to ensure they meet minimum social, environmental and economic standards.

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During our tea break at 10:30 we are screening the 10 Tactics to Turn Information into Activism DVD from the Tactical Technology Collective. Please join us. Ali Ravi the Program Lead for Online Security will introduce the DVD to you.

Outside you can also take a closer look at the Citizen Journalists in Action Exhibition poster – Kwanele Butana and the Grahamstown Citizen Journalists present can give you more information about the project and their work.

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During lunch in Nelson Mandela Hall we at half past one plant the DCI anniversary tree at the African Media Matrix building just opposite the Nelson Mandela Dining Hall – we invite you all to join as Kambale Musavuli, our keynote speaker, will flex some muscle to use the ceremonial spade.

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After lunch there are workshops that start at 14:15 promptly. You need to register for these workshops outside at the Workshop Registration Desk. There are limited spaces available. Bring your IT log-ins, your cell phone and make sure you know where you are going.

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At 16h we all meet again in Eden Grove Red for the WJEC, Highway Africa and DCI Joint Closing Plenary. After dinner you can see watch Germany -  Spain in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

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A warm welcome to all speakers, workshop facilitators, funders and digital citizens present here. I’m confident you will enjoy our day with us and your stay in South Africa.

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I would like to call on Congolese activist Kambale Musavuli from Friends of the Congo for our keynote address.

Citizen journalists have become central to exposing the ‘development of underdevelopment’ in many African countries, often giving a voice to communities that would otherwise not be heard and exposing deals that may be against their interests.

We focus on three themes touching on questions of Africa’s underdevelopment - 1) the exploitation of Africa’s rich natural resources, 2) responses to natural disasters and the potential impact of climate change, and 3) debates about the development benefits of mega events such as the 2010 World Cup – to understand the role of digital citizens in disseminating the voice of Africa’s citizens.

The DCI showcases successful projects as ‘best practice’, with the intention of ensuring that DCI participants can integrate these practices into their work. The DCI will also include case studies where online and mobile media have been used to disseminate crucial information about natural resources and disasters. The importance of citizen-based media in addressing climate change and mega events will also be explored.

The DCI aims to build bridges between mainstream media, digital civil society, citizens and successful initiatives. Join the discussion on www.dcindaba.com and follow us on Twitter via @DCIndaba with #DCI2010.

A warm welcome to all sponsors, speakers, delegates and digital citizens – enjoy the DCI experience.

From the DCI team,

Jane, Elvira and Hailey