Computers donated to East Timor - News

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This story was printed from ZDNet Australia.
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Computers donated to East Timor

December 11, 2000
URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/soa/Computers-donated-to-East-Timor/0,139023165,120107514,00.htm

The Australian Computer Society has coordinated the donation of hardware and software worth over AU$20,000 to the Conference for Sustainable Development of East Timor.

The UN-backed conference, to be held in Dili at the end of January 2001, will bring together development and environmental experts from around the globe to discuss the best way forward for the former Indonesian colony.

The conference is taking a strong focus on the environment, seeking to provide input and facilitate discussion for the hundreds of East Timorese people expected to attend from across the community.

Late last week, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) sent a shipment to Dili comprising three desktop PCs, two laptops, two printers, a scanner, fax machine and modem, for use by the organisers of this highly significant event.

The Society also arranged for Microsoft to donate several thousand dollars worth of software to the conference.

Conference organiser, Carrie Deutsch, says the equipment is needed to help run the event.

-The conference is backed by a number of international aid agencies, but resources are limited. We needed a range of equipment to enable us to prepare invitations and other documents, and to handle the basic running of the conference", she said.

ACS President John Ridge said he was delighted to have the opportunity for the Society to make a positive contribution to the rebuilding of East Timor.

-As the professional society for those working in the IT profession, I believe we have a responsibility to give back to the community wherever we can. This is a wealthy industry and its professionals are well rewarded for their efforts - it's entirely appropriate that we invest some of that wealth to assist those who are less fortunate."

Ridge said the West Australian branch of the ACS offered to coordinate the donation, drawing on its extensive experience in supporting various community organisations with computer equipment.

-We're very grateful to a number of organisations who played a part in this important donation. Western Mining Corporation very generously provided all the computer hardware, Microsoft made a large contribution of software, and Ansett Australia assisted by donating the cost of air-freighting the 162 kilos of equipment to Darwin for transport to Dili by the Australia Defence Forces.