Paris, 17 November 2008


EFITA newsletter / 386 / European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment


Countdown to the Latest Forum on "Mobile Telephony in Rural Areas" 17-28 November 2008
Please post your introduction today!

Mobile phones are the success story of bridging the rural digital divide, bringing tangible economic benefits and acting as agents of social mobilization through improved communication. But what are the real challenges that face reaching rural areas, and what are some of today’s most beneficial applications that can help these rural communities, specifically regarding agriculture development?

This Forum will examine the challenges that rural communities face in enhancing the benefits of mobile telephony, and look at some examples of interesting initiatives and good outcomes from around the globe.

Subject Matter experts include:
Pete Cranston, ICT and New Media in Development Consultant; Laura M. Drewett, Partner Director, BusyLab Ltd.; Jawahar Kanjilal, Global Head of Emerging Market Services, Services & Software, Nokia; Christian Kreutz, Consultant, Knowledge Activist; AHM Sultanur Reza, Additional General Manager and Head, Community Information Center, Grameenphone Ltd.; Luca Servo, Communication for Development Consultant, Research and Extension Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Nigel Scott, Gamos Ltd. With Charlotte Masiello-Riome, Communications Expert and e-Agriculture.org Coordinator; and Michael Riggs, Information Management Specialist for the Asia-Pacific region, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Join us in this exciting forum. If you havent yet registered on the e-agriculture.org platform, click here.

>>> We invite you to submit your introduction of yourself this week!
Go to www.e-agriculture.org, log in, and click on the forum section!
The forum will be held in English.
Contact: Anna-Maria WALTER
E-mail: info(a)e-agriculture.org


I think the joke this week was funny (as usual) but a bit too much for a list like this...
Contact: Thomas NORRBY
E-mail: thomas.norrby(a)sol.slu.se

A.: a funny aspect is that I (GW) would hesitate to publish this joke in French and I do it in English because the language establishes a sort of distance.


Where President-elect Obama stands on agriculture
See: http://origin.barackobama.com/issues/rural/
See: http://www.meatpoultry.com/news/daily_enews.asp?ArticleID=97775
Contact: JP VIGNAL
E-mail: jaypeevee(a)aol.com


New Agriculturist: an online magazine with a different theme in each bi-monthly edition
Thanks for your newsletters - it is always good to keep to date and to read the jokes which seem to be well appreciated!
See: http://www.new-ag.info
Contact: Susanna THORP
E-mail: s.thorp(a)wrenmedia.co.uk


Network in Africa
Dear Guy, Hope you are doing well. I always enjoy reading your gazette. I am writing to you regarding your initiative to create links in Africa with universities and institutions pertaining to Information Technologies and Communications in Environment and Agriculture. Our center has a very high level knowledge in software engineering and data mining techniques applied in Agriculture/Environment. We have three books published on software engineering and data mining applied in Agriculture/Environment. If there is a need to organize courses of topics pertaining to these issues, we would be very happy to participate.
If interested, please let me know or put me in touch with people that are interested in Africa.
See: http://www.ise.ufl.edu/cao/
See: http://www.ise.ufl.edu/cao/papajorgji/
Contact: Petraq PAPAJORGJI - University of Florida
E-mail: petraq(a)ufl.edu

Answer: You could contact:
- Patrice ANNEQUIN
E-mail: pannequin(a)ifdc.org

- Karel CHARVAT
E-mail: charvat(a)lesprojekt.cz


EuroTier News: Solutions for China’s agricultural sectors
Using its vast network of agricultural specialists in China, EuroTier organiser DLG has previewed the EuroTier 2008 exhibition on several occasions with the help of animal production experts from the poultry, pig, dairy and feed sectors. As a result, a number of Chinese delegations are planning to attend EuroTier and there will also be a summit meeting focusing on global, European and Chinese pig production premiered at the event. More.
See: http://www.eurotier.de/index.php?struts=publicArtikelDetail.do&
id=1628&artikelId=2068&kategorieId=13&spracheId=2&bereich=News


Balkan Environmental Association (B.EN.A.) activities
See: http://www.gen.teithe.gr/~bena
Contact: Cristian KLEPS
Email: asas(a)asas.ro


Aspect and Visions of Applied Economics and Informatics International Congress
26-27th March, 2009 – DEBRECEN - Hungary
Deadline for submission of abstracts: 8th December 2008.
Topics:
- Applied Economics
- Commerce and Marketing
- Financial Management and Accounting
- Applied Agricultural Economics
- Human Resource Management
- Regional and Rural Development
- Education and Quality Management
- Statistics and Operation Management
- Tourism Management
- Information and communication technologies in agriculture, rural development and agro-business. Subtopics:
-- Collaborative Working Environment
-- Decision Support Systems, Modelling and Simulation
-- e-Business
-- e-Government
-- e-Learning
-- GIS/Remote Sensing
-- ICT in Food Safety
-- Information Systems
-- Mobile Technology Applications
-- Multimedia Applications
-- Precision Agriculture
-- Role of ICT in Rural Development
-- Web Services, Portals and Internet Applications
-- Wireless Networks
-- Business informatics
See: http://www.avacongress.net/
Contact: Miklos HERDON
Email: herdon(a)agr.unideb.hu


A lesson in Realpolitik
Judy Wallman, a professional genealogical researcher, discovered that Hillary Clinton's great-great uncle, Remus Rodham, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889.

The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows. On the back of the picture is this inscription: 'Remus Rodham; horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.'

Judy e-mailed Hillary Clinton for comments. Hillary's staff sent back the following biographical sketch:
'Remus Rodham was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1885, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887 he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889 Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor, when the platform on which he was standing collapsed.'
Contact : Mick HARKIN
E-mail: harkin(a)iol.ie


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