About CCNS
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CCNS started its work in 2000 as a new direction of Institute of Research on Problems of Nonprofits in the Newly Independent States (IRPN) activity. At the beginning of 2001 CCNS was registered as Russian NGO. Susan Webb, director of the UK Communities Online was elected as CCNS chairperson.
CCNS was created as an independent research center for realization of the research programs and practical work in the field of using of Information and Communication Technologies for development of civil society in the regions of Russian Federation. In 2001-2002 CCNS focused on:
Significant differences exist between the levels of development of ICTs and communication infrastructure in NIS and in the United States, Canada and Europe.
We realize that setting up of a proper autonomous non-profit informational infrastructure from the very start in a small territory requires great organizational and financial expenses. One can use the potentialities of already created resources (commercial, governmental etc.) for the new goals. The main aim of our project in this direction is to investigate and clear up the necessity of telecommunications infrastructure. The main Directions of the CCNS Research Programme (2001-2003) Our activity has to do with introducing new technological tools and knowledge into the Russian NGO sector. The first step of this introduction is the implementation of a research program. Main mission of this research agenda is the challenge to make NGOs in NIS become aware of that information once unique to them is now widely available over the Internet and to construct an information network that would act as a professional field of NGOs, federal and municipal bodies and for business mutual interaction. We understand that it is only a tool for their activities and they still have to do their most to achieve their goals but this approach exactly has to do with their being socially active as the ultimate ground for any further development. This program is designated to address sustainability and consistence of changing society in Newly Independent States (NIS). The program is based on two major premises:
This part of the program allows to define current state of affairs in relations between Russian non-profit sector and achievements in ICTs. Also in this part we are to determine main technical tasks and restrictions we should address to. B. Assimilation of project thoughts by public organizations throughout the region and all countries (NIS) Due to unique standing of Russia and NIS countries in modern information and democratic world we will definitely encounter with certain misunderstanding and misfits. This part of the program will address introduction and dissemination of the self-governance and information use and access ideas in the regions. C. Promotion of innovative interaction between information "haves" and "have nots" and cross cultural communications in the region At this stage of the program we will be creating a model of a national network of agencies and programs that offer technology access and education to people and NGOs who might otherwise not enjoy such opportunities in Russia and NIS. This model is to be a ground for factual deploying of such network by linking affiliates electronically and sponsoring national and regional meetings at which affiliate representatives engage with colleagues in-person, by providing resources to its members and partners offering the benefit of national and international partnerships and collaborations, and facilitates sharing of experience and expertise via the network. D. Rising awareness and civic participation In this section of the program we will look at a possible and experienced abroad infrastructures, ways and methods of letting NGOs and individuals be able to voice their opinions on a various ranges of social and political issues through Internet and/or locally operating Networks. Also there will be an appropriate function of a Community Network defined - providing local residents and organizations with access to community, municipal and government services and resources. E. Designation of the project initiatives, executive techniques corresponding to the west cultural forms (planning, budget, human resources, partnership etc.) through mutually operated informational networks This part's task concerns the NGOs' and individuals' outlook on Learning new forms of organization and resource management, on Improving their technological Literacy, awareness and understanding of basic principles of self-governance by virtue of Community Network's activities Expected Results of the Program
Concrete CCNS research programs and other activities (2001 - 2003)
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