Paris, 23 April 2007


EFITA newsletter / 306 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment


Next AgriMMedia seminar
15 May – PARIS
New web tools: blog, RSS, wiki, podcast, video on the Internet, web TV, web conference… (in French).
See: http://www.acta-informatique.fr?d=6752


French agrotourism networks identified within the agrotour.net project
>> "FRANCE PASSION" Network
This is network of 1100 farmers who welcome camping car owners.
This private welcome formula allows camping car owners to park freely, from one night up to 24 hours, on their property, without any financial or commercial constraint.
France Passion hosts offer more than 4000 free stopover parking spaces in the most beautiful vineyards and domains in France. From Brest to Bayonne or Strasbourg to Bastia, friendly properties along your route are ready and waiting to provide you with a safe stopover site.
With the "Carnet des Invitations" (a book), motor home owners can imagine the accent, the taste and the fragrance of their next stops, with complete freedom from March to Easter.
People are so happy that they buy wine and other farm products.
See: https://ssl5.ovh.net/~francepa/indexeng.php3?prov=


>> "Bienvenue à la ferme" National Network– the larger network of farmers developing tourism services (5600 farmers)
- Savour their produce
- Dine in a farmhouse inn
- Have an afternoon snack on the farm...
- Stay at a bed and breakfast or cottage
- Stay at self-catering accommodation
- Go camping on a farm.
- Learn the basics of farm life at our educational farms and discovery farms
See: http://www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com (web site in four languages)


>> "Accueil paysan" National and International Network (500 farmers)
The same services than "Bienvenue à la ferme" but with a different approach, focusing attention of farm activities, e.g. offering visitors to participate in farm works
See:  http://www.accueil-paysan.com


>> "Forme en ferme" Network (20 farmers)
A very recent network focusing attention on health issues (organic food, slow food) and open-air activities
See: http://www.formeenferme.com


>> A local network in "Haute-Marne" a non-touristy area
> B & B, self-catering accommodations
See: http://www.haute-marne.chambagri.fr/ctehm/p1077001.htm
- Farm products
See: http://www.haute-marne.chambagri.fr/ctehm/p1036001.htm
- Educational farms (visits of class rooms within the framework of contracts with local communities)
See; http://www.haute-marne.chambagri.fr/ctehm/p1083001.htm
Contact : Christian RENAUDIN
E-mail: crenaudin(a)haute-marne.chambagri.fr


>> A regional network in a very touristy area (50 farmers)
Farmers on a very touristy region offer a common portal to their own web sites
See: http://www.agrivacances.com


Remarks
- Developing networks of farmers is essential to offer alternative solutions to clients
- Developing a private web site is essential too to provide potential clients with information in a "non standardised" way
- Participating in different networks is normal: most farmers are members of different networks to increase their chances of commercial success
Contact: Alecos TRINGIDES, head of the agrotour.net project
E-mail: tringos(a)logos.cy.net


Web2ForDev International Conference on "Participatory Web for Development: Networking, collaborating and exchanging knowledge in agriculture, rural development and natural resource management
25-27 September 2007 - Rome, Italy

**** CALL FOR PROPOSALS ****
Web2ForDev 2007 is the first conference devoted to exploring the ways in which international development stakeholders can take advantage of the technical and organizational opportunities provided by Web 2.0 methods, approaches and applications. The conference will promote the adoption and dissemination of appropriate, low-cost and replicable Internet-based applications by actors in agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. It aims to inspire participants to use and develop their own information management and communication systems based on these applications. The conference targets agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management stakeholders, particularly those from developing countries, experienced with or interested in the potential of Web 2.0, including technology intermediaries, policy makers, information and communication specialists, software developers, application and system providers and information service providers. Participants are expected to have experience and understanding of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and to be in a position to understand, adopt and disseminate the showcased applications and approaches.

In particular we encourage proposals that are:
* Thematic case studies: 15/20-minute presentations on examples of projects and processes that are adopting Web 2.0 tools and methodologies, and that evaluate their impacts, benefits and challenges;
* Thematic showcases: 15/20-minute presentations on Web 2.0 tools and methodologies developed for knowledge exchange, collaboration, learning and networking;
* Panel discussions: 30-minute exchanges that provide an overview of one or more crosscutting issue (see the list below); these will be debated by a group of panellists and facilitated by a chairperson.

The sessions should offer practical examples of Web 2.0 concepts and applications in knowledge exchange, collaboration, learning and networking in the sectors of agriculture, rural development, and natural resource management. Experiences and case studies from sectors other than development (e.g. education, private sector) that show potential for adoption can be presented. The focus is on innovation in common practices, opportunities, needs, and issues that participants may address more effectively with the adoption of Web 2.0 tools, methodologies and approaches.

**** THEME, TOPICS AND CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES ****
The theme of the Conference is "Participatory Web for Development: Networking, collaborating and exchanging knowledge in agriculture, rural development and natural resources management".

There are three conference tracks dealing with the following main topics:
* Shared virtual spaces, remote collaboration, and knowledge sharing
* Appropriate technologies for on-line publishing
* On-line information retrieval and access

Cross-cutting issues speakers may want to address in their presentations, and particularly in panel discussions, are:
* Institutional capacity (IT infrastructure, human resources)
* Management
* Low-bandwidth access
* Intellectual property issues
* Disabling and enabling environments (infrastructural, connectivity, legal, cultural, human)
* Direct and indirect cost
* Security
* Visibility and promotion

**** DEADLINES ****
Submission of proposals: 30 April 2007
Notification of acceptance: 15 May 2007
Submission of draft presentations, scripts and materials: 15 June 2007
Submission of final scripts: 31 July 2007
Submission of final presentations (slideshow, multimedia or other): 31 August 2007

**** HOW TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS ****
* Fill out the proposal form for a case study or a showcase.
[http://www.web2fordev.net/fileadmin/docs/showcase_casestudy_proposal.doc]
* Alternatively, fill out the proposal form for a panel discussion.
[http://www.web2fordev.net/fileadmin/docs/panel_proposal.doc]
* Submit your proposal by email to proposals@web2fordev.net by 30 April 2007.
* Acceptance will be notified by 15 May 2007.
The content of the proposals will be treated with the utmost confidentiality by the Steering Committee members and peer review panel.

In case of acceptance, please note:
* All work presented at the Conference (e.g. slideshows, handouts, flyers, brochures, pdf and MS Word documents, animation and videos) constitutes the original work of the author/presenter, and he/she is the owner of the copyright.
* All presenters and authors will retain non-exclusive intellectual property rights in their work.
* Presenters and authors agree to their Conference materials being disseminated freely on the Conference Web site and by other means during and after the Conference. A statement will be published prohibiting the use of any of the presentations for commercial purposes. Any part or whole of the works used for non-commercial purposes must carry due accreditation.

**** SPONSORSHIPS ****
Accepted presenters or panellists from developing countries may apply for sponsorship to attend the Conference. Sponsorships will be granted at the discretion of the sponsoring agencies and will be subject to availability of funds.

**** ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ****
To get updates on the event you may join one of the following DGroups:
* English: http://www.dgroups.org/groups/web2fordev/index.cfm
* Français: http://www.dgroups.org/groups/web2pourdev/index.cfm
For more information on the event you may visit our conference web site at: http://www.web2fordev.net


God said to Adam...!
God Said, "Adam, I want you to do something for me."

Adam said, "Gladly, Lord, what do You want me to do?"

God said, "Go down into that valley."

Adam said, "What's a valley?"

God explained it to him.

Then God said, "Cross the river."

Adam said, "What's a river?"!

God explained that to him, and then said, "Go over to the hill......."

Adam said, "What is a hill?"

So, God explained to Adam what a hill was.

He told Adam, "On the other side of the hill you will find a cave"

Adam said, "What's a cave?"

After God explained, he said, "In the cave you will find a Woman."

Adam said, "What's a woman?"

So God explained that to him, too.

Then, God said, "I want you to reproduce."

Adam said, "How do I do that?"

And then, just like everything else, God explained that to Adam, as well.

So, Adam goes down into the valley, across the river, and over the hill, into the cave, and finds the woman.

About five minutes later, he was back.

God, his patience wearing thin, said angrily, "What is it now?"

And Adam said



YOUR GOING TO LOVE THIS !!!!!!

















"What's a headache?"

Contact: Mick HARKIN
E-mail: harkin(a)iol.ie


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