A Research Project Implemented by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

1. eBario and Bario Radio A Research Project Implemented by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) supported by DAGS, MOSTI, Telekom Malaysia,JapanOfficial Development Assistance, Maxis ,RHA & RKS

3. Why Bario? • Satisfy our criteria for a rural, remote location • Very limited basic infrastructure • No telecommunication service • Not accessible by road • Real case of “digital divide” and “digital poverty” • Community readiness to participate

4. eBario project • A National Pilot Project on Bridging the Digital Divide • Multi-Disciplinary Research • Community Service + Faculty Research • National and International Research Grants • Local and Foreign Collaborators/Partners • Inter-organizational support

5. Objectives • To define the extent to which contemporary ICT could deliver sustainable social and economic development to remote rural communities • To identify further needs and opportunitieswithin such communities that can be satisfied by the innovative useof contemporary ICT

6. VSAT At School VSAT At Clinic VSAT At Telecentre 6

7. Telephone 7

8. Telecentre Today

9. Roles and Impact of eBario

10. eBario in SAR Helicopter crash: 12 Jul ’04 Search and Rescue:16 days Hampered by bad weather& inaccessible terrain Sophisticated technologies Police, Military, Royal M’sian Air Force, Allies, locals Required much coordination and communication Bario: Operations centre Phones, fax, Internet Press release/reports direct from Bario 10

11. Communication with family “… bereaved never reached their loved ones in time … word always arrived too late” Now, they do Emergencies “ … flight turned back due to bad weather” Thanks to the phone“… flight persuaded to return in the afternoon” Benefits: Improvement of lives

12. Secondary School Principal said: “ … rural students always started at a disadvantage when they left Bario” “ … need to bridge the gap between the shy, unexposed students and their aggressive, well-informed counterparts in town” Compulsory computer classes Students work in paddy fields for club subscriptions, diskettes Overcoming Educational Exclusion

13. Focus on tourism • Telecentre being utilised by community • Transition of telecentre’s role • Focus on sustainability issues • Numerous areas of opportunities • To improve livelihood and the quality of lives of the community • Need to capitalise on strengths • Climate • Nature • Culture • People • Obvious choice is tourism • Prior to the eBario project, tourism already existed • Determine the roles in which the Telecentre can play

14. Culture • Dress and Dance

15. Products: Handicrafts SaltRicePineapple

16. eBario Knowledge Fair • http://www.ebarioknowledgefair.org Developmental Conferencing

18. Lodges

19. More visitors; more income Lodge owners Cultural groups Handicraft makers (more sales) Food preparers (sellers) Shop-owners Tour guides Transport providers Farmers (more commission for the telecentre) Local economic ecosystem gains (airlines too) Side benefit Closer community Reduced rural-urban migration Benefits and impact Women’s participation And running of the telecentre

20. Community empowerment Computer training Pico-hydro system installation

21. Sustainability • Financial sustainability • More visitors to Bario • More revenue from operations • Human Resource Sustainability • Empowered community • Equipped with necessary skills • Proactive use of technology • Because of the engagement/involvement • Sense of ownership, commitment • Community Awareness • Community realise the importance of the telecentre

22. eBario as Internet Service Provider • Internet access over the whole of Bario • WiFi and sustainability • Powered by solar panels • Rechargeable batteries at relay points • Internet Access from Telecentre • VoIP Lodge/School/Offices/Homes

23. Newest Phase… • Recognition from Malaysian Government • Testing replication of the eBario Model • KampungBuayan – eBuayan (Sabah) • Kampung Long Lamai – eLamai (Sarawak) • Ba’Kelalan –eBakelalan (Sarawak) • Fourth site (Sabah)

24. eBario Living LaboratorySdn Bhd – ISITI • Development • Specialist area • Social benefit • Living laboratory • Research • Academic impact • Social impact • Evidence • Propagation • Replication • Policy advocacy • Village incubator

25. eBario Buayan Larapan Ba’Kelalan Bario Long Lamai

26. BBC – Community Radio

27. Timeline 2007 • November 2001, first eBario Knowledge Fair; eBario Vision for ICTs and Indigenous Peoples • June 2008, eBario Sdn Bhd submits application to IFAD for fund to set up a community radio station in Bario, following consultations with the community; RKS, JKKKK • January 2009, the award was approved • July 2009, the grant was transferred • September 2009, a license application was submitted to MCMC • October 2009, MCMC officials visited Bario • January 2010, the application was revised based on feedback from the officials • September 2010, MCMC amended their licensing policy, issued a license to eBario and published their guidelines on community radio in Malaysia. • January 2011, eBario submits application for equipment certification to SIRIM. • October 2011, eBario radio station installed. 2008 2009 2010 2011

28. Supporting Research

29. 25km radius Bario Radio Footprint

31. Purpose: • Remoteness and isolation • There are few roads, no grid-based electricity supply. • Encroachment into the rainforests threatens environment and livelihoods. • Loss of cultural identity; • Poverty; isolated communities left behind by national development. • Neglect; the peoples of the area are poorly represented in mainstream media.

32. Benefits. • Mitigation of their isolation and remoteness • More effective opposition to irregular logging • Enrichment and preservation of the local cultures; • Reductions in poverty as greater levels of information are diffused throughout the isolated communities

33. Expected Results • A more cohesive community; airing and discussion of social problems. • A better connected population; rapid and widespread communication of important messages. • More social inclusion; by reaching everyone in their homes • A more democratic organization • More culturally robust people.

34. Technology Partner Movie here

35. Cost • RADIOACTIVE PROJECTS: • AfroReggae Digital, Brazil • Baraza, Kenya • DMCR, Cameroon • Flambeau, Cameroon • Itinerante, Mexico • Kapilvastu, Nepal • NudoMixteco, Mexico • RadioActive, Nepal • RMA, Madagascar • 194, Palestine £1500 = RM7,300 £4000 = RM19,600 £9750 = RM 47,700* Includes installation and training Plus premises and antenna tower *Bario Radio

36. Sustainability • Short term: International support • Medium term: International support phasing out and national support phasing in. • Long term: Sustainable through an effective partnership strategy; regular assessments that demonstrate results; and strong management capacity to attract and manage diverse partnerships effectively.

37. Broadcast Content a) National and international news b) Current affairs c) Developmental information d) Educational programmes e) Health information f) Weather reports g) Interviews with local and visiting dignitaries h) Entertainment i) Cultural activities j) Voices of the people; local documentaries and oral histories k) Popular music and music from local performers l) Group discussions m) Farming information n) Special interest item for; youth, women, farmers, elderly, businessmen, etc. o) Family announcements

38. Local Demand for Radio

39. No Broadcasting of: • Threatening national security; • Betraying state secrets; • Offending public sensitivities; • Inciting violence or hatred; • Being disrespectful of anyone’s cultural and religious norms; • Engaging in political debate; • Transgressing the norms of ethical reporting and broadcasting; • Distorting the truth; • Discriminating against any groups; • Deliberately targeting a cross-border audience in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

40. Thank you Consider attending the Third eBario Knowledge Fair, November 16-18 2011