On 3 May Close the Gap launched “Window on the World”, an awareness-raising campaign for all employees of its strategic partners and major donors. Window on the World is a widget which allows people to be in touch with Close the Gap’s projects in the South in real time. This widget can only be created and implemented thanks to the help of a team of enthusiastic volunteers coming from all our partner organisations.
On 3 May Close the Gap welcomed its strategic partners and key donors to the Strategic Partner Day at Deloitte in the Netherlands. During this meeting Close the Gap’s past, current and future opportunities were presented to the audience of 40 people.
The Executives’ Circle was founded in 2002 with the purpose of gathering the foremost business leaders and intellectual elite within an exclusive forum that addresses today’s key management, leadership and societal challenges. In 2011 the IT Executives’ Circle, an exclusive think tank comprising Belgium’s foremost Chief Information Officers and senior IT managers, launched the CIO-PE (CIO for Hope) initiative. Its aim is to encourage companies to deliver a total of 10,000 obsolete computers by 30 November 2012. The expectations are high: so far Close the Gap has already received 4171 assets (desktops, screens, servers, etc.).
From 10 to 20 April Close the Gap’s Head of Projects Peter Manderick went on a field visit to Moshi (Tanzania) and Kigali (Rwanda). The goal of this mission was to visit Close the Gap’s local service partners, to evaluate recently established projects and to discuss the future of partnerships.
WorldPC, Close the Gap’s e-waste project, has had a busy few months. First, we are excited to welcome Thomas Poelmans as Project Director and Barbara Toorens as Business Development and External Relations Manager. With the new operational team in place, WorldPC is hitting the ground running.
On 15 March, as part of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Pan-African Forum on E-Waste in Nairobi (Kenya), WorldPC hosted a cocktail reception with around 40 key stakeholders to position WorldPC on the international e-waste scene.
Since the end of 2011, Close the Gap has been able to count on its youth representative Christine Shim, who represents Close the Gap at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The role of a UN Youth Representative is to support Close the Gap in its further development with respect to projects and partners, specifically by working as a liaison between the organisation and the UN DPI network.
The Air France Foundation is the proud adopter of a project for implementing 150 computers in 10 schools in the Kinshasa area (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Last March the three first beneficiary schools received the equipment, which was installed by Benelux Afro Center (BAC).
Cycle to close the digital gap between the poor and the rich and take part, along with your co-workers, in Bike to Close the Gap. Have your boss sponsor you as you challenge the legendary Paterberg from the Tour of Flanders. Through your efforts, we can send high-quality PCs to the fourth world in Belgium.
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On February 1st 2012, Close the Gap organised a New Year Drink for the inauguration of the new offices in the VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) buildings. It was a great opportunity to thank all partners and the VUB in particular for their support to Close the Gap during the past years. Close the Gap welcomed over 50 persons from it’s main partner organisations. Managing Director Olivier Vanden Eynde introduced the new team and had a word on the current and future projects. Mr. Carl Michiels, Chair of the Direction Committee of the Belgian Development Agency, presented the past and current challenges and achievements of the E-waste project. “Close the Gap is able to touch the cold hart of the business world with the warm soul of societal involvement”, Carl Michiels concludes.
On 12/01/2012, the Flemish television broadcasted a news item in the documentary “Koppen” where the secondhand computer market was pointed because of the potential lack of professionalism in the data wipe procedures. The journalists demonstrated how easily old data can be found or recovered in computers, even after so called ‘formatting’. They concluded that individuals and enterprises should be careful when making their used computer equipment available for re-sale, donations, or in the latter case final recycling.
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United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP), Operating Unit SCYCLE, is pleased to announce that the “Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP) Initiative” will be organizing the first instalment of the E-waste Academy (EWA) for policymakers and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
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Today, the Belgacom Foundation will grant support to 36 non-profit organizations and Belgian student associations which were selected for their projects aimed at stimulating intergenerational dialogue. In addition, over 500 computers will be donated to non-profit associations and special needs schools.
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Wat moet Afrika met onze computers?
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During the past few days several media picked up our story on the opening of Close the Gap’s recycling centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Led by European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes, a high-level delegation of EU representatives, corporate supporters and partners inaugurated Close the Gap’s first centre in Africa for WEEE treatment and proper disposition of sensitive materials on 27th September.
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On September 8th, hundred persons from diverse IT firms participated to the first edition of the “Bike to Close the Gap” event organised by DNS.be in favour of Close the Gap. Despite the very bad weather, they all hit the roof of the Paterbeg (2.7 km) in Kluisbergen during 2 hours. All together and with the participation of former cyclist Johan Musseeuw and the cyclocross-woman Sanne Kant, more than €36,000 have been collected for Close the Gap. This amazing support will allow the organisation to deploy 300 to 400 computers systems in more or less 20 computer classrooms for third and fourth world countries.
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The 64th Annual Conference of NGOs, which is associated with the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), sought to highlight effective ways in which civil society can contribute to creating and maintaining sustainable societies. Sub-themes included environmental sustainability, green manufacturing and commerce, transparent governance, grassroots activism, and limiting personal carbon footprints. The Conference sought to contribute to civil society preparations for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). The organizers included DPI/NGO Relations, NGO/DPI Executive Committee, the Government of Germany, the City of Bonn and UN Volunteers (UNV).
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In partnership with YouBridge – one of Close the Gap supportive partners – Close the Gap gained some first experience in sourcing new netbooks from ASUS. This new material will be used in Uganda to support secondary school teachers training programs.
In the context of a foreign trade mission from ‘Flanders’ with a key focus on development cooperation, it is with great pleasure that Archbishop em. Desmond M. Tutu received Minister Kris Peeters, Flemish Minister-President for a private audience, followed by a press meeting.
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On 23th June, some 300 business and ICT decision makers and professionals attended the annual ADM reception at the offices of Belgacom in Heverlee.
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In July 2011, a small delegation of VVOB and Close the Gap travelled through RDC to identify the e-waste situation in the provinces of Kinshasa and Bas-Congo. The delegation visited several sites in Boma, Matadi and Kinshasa city.
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Since a few months now, Close the Gap received the support of several personalities willing to play an active role within the organisation. This support is essential for Close the Gap as this will allow the organisation to further develop its activities and also its network.
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Through the long term support of the VUB has strategic partner of Close the Gap, the organisation recently moved it is offices to the “Karel Van Miert Building”, a recent new international office owned by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). This building has more than 10,000m² office spaces and brings together everyone at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel who is concerned with internationalization. The new building accommodates the International Relations and Mobility Office (IRMO), the Institute for European Studies (IES), the Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies (BICCS) and the Vesalius College. The Sociology and Political Sciences Research Groups, the University Centre for Overseas Development (UCOS) have also moved to this new inspirational place.
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On June 28th, Ricoh France organised its very first “Rencontres Prestiges” at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris. The objective of this event was to exchange with peers, partners and clients on best practices. For the occasion, Mr. Michel De Bosschere – President & CEO Ricoh France – presented his vison of the market and developed the growing objectives/challenges of Ricoh’s clients. Also, several Ricoh partners presented innovative realisations made together with Ricoh.
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Close the Gap is very honoured to welcome 2 new members to its Board of Recommendation: Mrs. Corinne Lepage - Member of European Parliament, Former Minister of Environment in France and Partner at Law firm Cabinet Huglo Lepage Associés – and Mrs. Sylviane Toporkoff - Founder and Partner at Items International, Founder and President of Global Forum and Lecturer at Paris VIII University (Dauphine). By joining this Board, those two eminent personalities acknowledged to support Close the Gap in its mission to bridge the digital divide. They are joining other personalities like – amongst others Archbishop em. Desmund M. Tutu (Nobel Peace price in 1984) or Count Jacques Rogge (International Olympic Committee President).
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Mrs. Grace Baguma, Managing Director of Computers for Schools Uganda, visited Close the Gap offices end of June. During her 2-day stay in Europe, the current partnership between both organisations has positively been evaluated. Several meetings with strategic partners like Deloitte, Essent, Flection or supportive partners like IICD were planned in the Netherlands. Plans were made to develop new collaboration projects in the field of e-waste management and ICT4Education. One of the promising new mutual projects will be developed – together with the Deloitte Fair Chance Foundation – in supporting curriculum building of financial literacy programs via computer education.
CompTIA is a non-profit trade association that advances the global interests of IT professionals and companies throughout the world. CompTIA has programs in four main areas: education, certification, advocacy and philanthropy.
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Close the Gap’s recycling activity is featured in Datanews, a Belgian magazine for ICT professionals:
Euro-Green IT Innovation Centre invited several firms and organisations to discover the results of the survey on “Walloon cities facing the challenge of sustainable development”. Two main topics were presented: on one side, general status of Walloon cities willing to challenge themselves on the environmental question (measure of natural resources consumption, emissions of greenhouse gases, transport or mobility policies…) and one another hand, the measure, the monitoring and the recommendations on energetic efficiency of public buildings in Wallonia (amongst others schools and administrations).
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The Environmental Investigation Agency and BBC Panorama use GPS to prove British electronic waste is being exported to poor African nations where it threatens the environment and human health.
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The latest film from the “Story of Stuff” team focuses on consumer electronics and the problems of waste, recycling and toxic components.
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On May 11th, Close the Gap was more than pleased to welcome its strategic partners and key donors for the annual Ambassador Day of the organisation.
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The philanthropic sector is facing some interesting evolutions. New challenges in our societies motivate philanthropists and their advisors to develop new methodologies and initiatives. Philanthropy, in all its diversity, continuously contributes to improve our society. Its importance does even grow. Philanthropy is in the process of professionalizing itself, wants to improve the evaluation of its actions and is not scared to integrate new methods to achieve better social impact.
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Since 11 years now, the REWICS (« Rencontres Wallonnes de l’Internet citoyen ») are a unique moment of information, meeting, exchange on the Internet and IT questions in the non-profit sector in Belgium: debates, workshops, exchanges on concrete practices, demos, animations… Each year around 1,000 persons participate to this event.
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Belgian Development Cooperation actors created a platform for all Belgian organizations working in the field of education and training in development cooperation. The goal of this Educaid Platform is to support harmonization and increase effectiveness of development cooperation. The platform is divided into four working groups. Close the Gap became a member of the working group ICT and education, ICT and library development and distance education.
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The Belgacom Group has decided to group its different existing social patronage initiatives (the Proximus Foundation and The Helping Hand) and its partnerships into a single entity, namely the Belgacom Foundation.
Today, the Belgacom Foundation is launching a call for projects for an amount of EUR 450,000 targeted at non-profit organizations and student associations, with the aim of stimulating intergenerational dialogue.
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On February 22nd, the 3rd CharITy dinner occurred in the Castle of Ammersoyen in the Netherlands.
During this evening, a pledge for the donation of 20,000 computers has been launched. Close the Gap is proud to announce that 50,000 computers will then be collected in the Netherlands over the last 3 years.
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On February 16-17, 2011, TechSoup Global hosted its first “Global Contributors’ Summit” which brought together more than 200 people who have contributed to moving TechSoup Global’s mission forward to create far-reaching change — a two-day conference of TechSoup Global Network partners, TechSoup product donors, philanthropic partners, NetSquared Local organizers, GuideStar International partners, organizers, and NGOs. The core of this gathering was the TechSoup Global Network (TSGN) which consists of 35 partner NGOs serving 36 countries. After 24 years serving the sector, TechSoup Global has become a leading social enterprise operating sustainably, at significant scale. To date, the impact of the TechSoup Global Partner Network has been profound – through the generosity of corporate donors, TechSoup Global’s efforts have resulted in more than $2 billion in IT savings to the nonprofit sector worldwide.
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On January 20th and 21st, Close the Gap had the opportunity to participate at the German CIO dinner and Colloquium. This is a first step for the organization to extend its activities to Germany after this very constructive and positive contact.
More information on: http://www.ciocolloquium.com
On December 7th 2010, Close the Gap received from Ricoh Europe – Mr. Olivier Vriesendorp, Director Product Marketing Centre, Ricoh Europe (Netherlands) B.V. and Mr. Javier Diez-Aguirre, Director, Corporate Communications Office, Ricoh Europe PLC – a voucher of €23,500 to support education projects in East African Community.
The color rally, from which the donations stem, is a campaign that was realized by Mr. Olivier Vriesendorp ‘s group. This donation has been collected by Ricoh EMEA employees. And demonstrate once again the wonderful partnership/collaboration between Close the Gap and Ricoh’s offices in Europe.
Close the Gap was present at the UN Gaid Global forum, as a member of the UN Gaid.
The Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development (GAID), an initiative approved by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2006, was launched after comprehensive worldwide consultations with governments, the private sector, civil society, the technical and Internet communities and academia. With its multi-stakeholder approach, the Alliance reaffirms the belief that a people-centered and knowledge-based information society is essential for achieving better life for all.
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In partnership with Close the Gap, the Dutch Foundation Ukengee recently installed low-energy Inveneo computers in 2 rural schools in the Lindi region (Tanzania). These computers only consume 30 Watt which makes it possible to install them on a solar power grid. Close the Gap funded the purchase of the computers for Lindi School and Ilulu Girls School in order to learn more on innovative approaches to tackle the digital divide in rural, low-energy areas.
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On November 18th, Close the Gap received the Belgian HR award for the best HR contribution. Apparently, Close the Gap “Friends of” program seduced the jury composed by an independent judging committee gathering 9 senior HR Directors who represent significant employer organizations from the Belgian market (ING, UCB Group, Godiva, Microsoft, Besix Group, SPE Luminus, Belgacom, Coca-Cola and Umicore).
This award is a great recognition for Close the Gap but also for its long-time partners. It is also a mark of trust for the supported projects in developing countries.
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On November 18th, RABO Bank organised a VIP session at their headquarters in Utrecht for 100 interested employees. The theme of the session was ‘development cooperation, with a different approach’.
Close the Gap’s representative was the second guest speaker and made a lively and interactive presentation on the challenges of ‘ICT for Development’. Among others Close the Gap showcased some realisations of larger projects in the East African Community with key messages of successes and failures, as well important lessons learned.
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With over 800 participants from all over the world, the 6th CIO Day 2010 was this year’s largest IT executives top event in the Netherlands. Several IT professionals, visionaries, industry leaders and other hotshots have taken the centre stage on the 15th & 16th of November to enlighten and inspired this community.
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The main objective of the workshop was the elaboration of a coordinated strategy on e-waste management in developing countries and the scoping of concrete activities to provide technical assistance to developing countries on integrated and environmentally sound management of e-waste.
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In the light of the Belgian Trade Mission to South Africa, Close the Gap organized a project partner visit in Johannesburg and the Western Cape.
It was a great occasion to catch up with some privileged long standing local partners and beneficiaries partners from Close the Gap projects.
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On October 31th, KLM invited Close the Gap to participate in the inaugural flight of the company to Kigali (Rwanda). KLM being one of the most important strategic partners for Close the Gap, Prof. Blonk (chairman of Close the Gap Board) represented the organization at this important event.
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On October 29th, the Global Compact Network Belgium (GCNB) – in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme and the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – gathered international participants to explore European trends in Corporate Social Responsibility development. In the presence of Mr. Soren Petersen, Head of the UN Global Compact Office in NY, the GCNB welcomed over 100 participants from over 15 countries including local and international experts. This event, aimed to explore new ways of enhancing cross-border dynamics within the UN Global Compact.
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On October 27th, BRS organized its annual congress to share its recent activities with affiliates and supporters. This year, Close the Gap received the opportunity to enhance the strong collaboration between BRS, KBC and Close the Gap on the donation of 500 KBC-computers shipped off to microfinance projects in Cameroon.
www.brs-vzw.be
In order to be able to meed as much as possible the demand from our project partners we are constantly looking for opportunities to extend our product offer and test innovative applications in the market. Thanks to Microsoft, Close the Gap was able to meet the demand from its project partner IICD in order to deliver 100 Toshiba tablet laptops to two educational projects in Zambia.
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On October 19th, Henkel France organized its first IT Day with the objective to sensitize its employees on IT trades within the company. During this internal event, Henkel and Close the Gap enhanced their recent collaboration on the life extension of Henkel’s computers to Close the Gap projects.
Dear Friends of Close the Gap, dear Reader,
Close the Gap is very pleased and proud to share the recent activities that kept the organisation busy over the summer.
Indeed, Close the Gap has been very active during this holiday’s period.
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As last year, Close the Gap received a generous computer bags donation from Case Logic.
Indeed, the charity projects in developing countries – requesting laptops – will also receive computer bags which are always more than welcome for material protection.
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It is not without any pride that Close the Gap’s team is delighted to announce that the organization had just been recognized as a member of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). This means, Close the Gap can as from now, be considered as an NGO recognized by the United Nations.
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This year, Close the Gap’s “strategic partner trip” took place in Tanzania and Uganda. The trip was organised from May 26th till June 4th by Close the Gap in close collaboration with DNS BE.
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Since 1999, the Indonesian government has mandated that each child must go to school for nine years. However, too many children are now dropping out of school even before they reach the end of Junior High School, while some are even quitting in the primary grades.
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Close the Gap organized its Ambassador Day on March 31th. The host of the year was ICT Media, new Strategic Partner for Close the Gap. As usual, Close the Gap’s Strategic Partners attended the event, but this year important donators were in attendance as well. Some of the guests included ABN AMRO, Pro Rail, NXP.
Ambassador Day 2010 was the occasion for the Close the Gap to come back on several achievements for 2009 and to present projects as well as objectives for the upcoming year.
SAS Belux signs a partnership with the international non-profit organization “Close the Gap”. SAS not only donates the proceeds from the internal sales of used equipment, but also developed a solution for computerized business reporting. This application was developed at SAS by an intern from the Katholieke Hogeschool Leuven. Thanks to this solution, Close the Gap will get a clear view on what material is given by the donors and on top of that, the organization can make sure that the right IT equipment can be allocated on advantageous terms to development projects both at home and abroad.
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Prof. em. Dr. Wim A.G. Blonk, Close the Gap’s chairman,and Olivier Vanden Eynde, Close the Gap’s general manager, recently attended the ICT Delta 2010 conference. Olivier was one of the keynote speakers in a session called ‘the World’, lead by moderator Hennie Wesseling, ex CIO of TNT and member of WorldPC’s Board of Directors.
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There was a truly infectious sense of enthusiasm at the CEBIT conference in Hannover.
Close the Gap’s general manager, Olivier Vanden Eynde, visited the conference for a full day, with a clear and substantial program keeping specific ICT projects in mind for Close the Gap and World PC. The main interests for Close the Gap were ICT for Development projects and green IT innovations for energy-friendly consuming hardware in developing countries.
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Over 200 Chief Information Officers (CIO’s) and leading managers of the Dutch ICT vendors were spectators Innovation Awards ceremony. During the exclusive CIO Dinner, with the theme “Burgundian”, artists such as Candy Dulfer and her band Funky Stuff, Big, Black Beautiful, Heeren van het Goede Leven and Supperclub DJ Thomas, entertained the audience.
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Between February 20th and 28th, Close the Gap visited the head office of the Cameroom Cooperative Credit Union League (CamCCUL) in Bamenda along with a delegation of Close the Gap’s “Strategic Partner,” KBC, and “Supportive Partner,” BRS, the Belgian Raiffeisen Foundation.
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Olivier Vanden Eynde, general manager of Close the Gap Int. attended the Open Meeting of STEP in Bonn, Germany on February 4th 2010.
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Following a desk study on existing systems for e-waste management in the East-African Community, Close the Gap has organized a first field mission with 2 experts to gather missing information in order to establish a business plan for the implementation of an E-Waste management system.
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On Friday January 15, 2010 an Open Space event took place on the potential of new media and youth in developing countries. The event was part of the Fill the Gap! event series organized each year by Hivos, IICD and OneWorld.nl. Fill the Gap! is a meeting place for everyone interested in ICT and international development cooperation.
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Close the Gap team wishes all the best for 2010. May this new year be full of happiness and good realizations for all !
On July 12 Close the Gap International and its partners Deloitte Belgium and e-Learning for Kids were featured on CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia and CNBC World in the sixth episode of “Responsible Business” featuring the topic ‘The digital divide: Closing the Gap’.The episode focused on the strategic partnership between the three organisations and how they joined hands in order to make a real difference in bridging the educational digital divide by providing computers loaded with educational software to a school located in a remote area in Thailand.
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