Here we collect information for & about sponsors.
A Barcamp will be held on the EiABC campus (south-campus of AAU) in Addis Ababa 17.-18. September (with a pre-party the evening before) - and we need help from all of you to make this a positive event!
BARCAMP - WHAT IS THAT?
A Barcamp is a sort of "unconference" meaning that it, as opposed to normal conferences, is organized and administered not by an organization or a company, but by an open community of interested individuals. It has no pre-structured program - everything is planned and coordinated through a web-based public Wiki and other online tools where anyone can post ideas and participate actively and through collaboration. So far, over 350 Barcamps have been held all over the world with different thematic focus, also in several other african countries, but until now, never before in Ethiopia.
The actual topics for the conference-sessions may be suggested beforehand in the Wiki, but are actually collected, discussed and selected by everyone at the morning of the first conference day. Every attendee is encouraged to present topics in sessions and to otherwise participate actively. Sessions run in parallel slots throughout the two days. One or two moderators are selected as responsible for each session. If they choose to, they can present previously prepared materials such as slides, images, software, etc., or allow someone else to present or explain something, but the rule is that anyone can and should interrupt presentations to ask questions and to discuss issues and topics as they appear - sessions have no previously decided structure but evolve as they take place. In general, Barcamps are characterized by an atmosphere of non-hierarchy, openness, sharing, creativity, efficiency and fun.
One major topic-area of "Barcamp Ethiopia" would definitively be issues related to ICT in education (eLearning). But the Barcamp does not need to be limited to that. The main thing is to get to know other people and new ideas.
WHO CAN ATTEND?
There is no limitation to attendance for the barcamp. It will not have any attendance fee and we will try to get food, drinks and as many sleeping places as possible organized for everyone. We should also try to get bus-transport for participants from outside of Addis and possibly a bus-shuttle from parts of Addis that are not easily accessible by public transport. Anyone can attend and everyone is encouraged to participate in the planning and to help out at the actual event.
HOW DO WE ORGANIZE IT?
The event should be low-budget and managed by the community of people who are interested. Costs that still arise should be carried by a number of minor sponsors who donate specific things like food, drinks, a rented generator, shuttle bus, etc in exchange for recognition in the pre-event-pr through different media channels, at the event itself, on t-shirts and in communication about the event after it has been carried out. No one major sponsor should have any ownership of the event and sponsors should not have any influence on conference topics or discussions beyond the personal participation of individuals as attendees.
The Management of the EiABC in Addis have kindly offered us to arrange the event on their campus. Beside the actual (un)conference sessions, we could also have an accompanying cultural/entertainment program, live presentations of new technologies, etc.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
To participate in the preparation of Barcamp Ethiopia you need to follow these simple steps:
- The BarCamp Wiki is where we edit the information about the Barcamp that is relevant for all attendees, planners, sponsors & PR.
- Register to the Barcamp Wiki-site: http://barcamp.org/BarCampEthiopia
- Klick on the "Create an Account" link on the right side of the page - Enter your name, email, and a password.
- Check your email for the confirmation email and open the confirmation link.
- You can now help editing the Wiki-page where we keep all information. As a first step, you might want to add your name to one of the categories "planners", "volunteers" or "Participants".
- Sign in to the eLearning Ethiopia group called Barcamp Ethiopia. This is were we can post discussions about different matters, share relevant documents and send update messages to everyone.
- Participate by entering your ideas to the Wiki and by offering to take charge of organizing certain items or to help out with specific things.
- Have fun by getting to know other people and by working together for an exciting cause.
Some more info about what a Barcamp can be:
So, everybody, please help us organize this event and to make it special!
