AFRICAN NETWORKING CONVENTION DEBUTS IN SA

April 10, 2000 - Cape Town: The African Network Operators Group (AFNOG), modeled on the North American Network Operators Group, will hold its inaugural convention in Cape Town at the end of this month.

Chris Pinkham, CEO of Internet security company and event co-sponsor CEQURUX Technologies, says AFNOG is aimed at developing the skills and support network for advanced networking and communications infrastructures on the continent.

He says: "For too long African countries have relied on skills and expertise from abroad to meet their own - very unique - networking requirements."

"Together with some of my local and international colleagues we've been involved with training network professionals in developing countries since 1993, which extends to CEQURUX's involvement in the project," he adds. "The idea is to decentralise networking skills to improve efficiency and lessen the dependability of developing countries on their developed counterparts."

The ten-day AFNOG agenda includes:

• A week of technical training for specially invited representatives of African networking organisations and companies. Training will be run at two levels; beginners will attend the basic networking and Internet essentials training course, while more advanced technical training will teach experienced users how to leverage larger networks off existing small to medium networks.
• Following the training, the convention will be open to the public, so booking is essential. Speakers from the US, Europe and Africa will make separate presentations on networking issues on the continent and experience from abroad.
• Closing the event, an AFRINIC (African Network Information Centre) meeting will be held where it is hoped that consensus will be reached on how to delegate responsibility for African Internet resources to an African body.

"Although this is the first time the event has been held in Africa, we expect the time, resources and skills donated by sponsors will make it an all-round success," says Pinkham.

"Certainly it's a step in the right direction to bridging the skills divide between Africa and her global neighbours."

For more information on the seminars, speakers, and how to register, visit www.afnog.org.