FAQs

1. What is oneVillage Initiative? OVI is a way to approach growth and development from a more integrated and holistic perspective that consider the history as well as needs of the people living in communities. Existing development models are not sustainable and are not based on authentic human needs, so we need alternative and innovative processes and places to learn, evolve and interact. People’s needs should be put before technology or the needs of those who control the marketplace imperative. Culture also has an important role to play in redefining development priorities. So we have created the Integrated Knowledge Wheel as a key part of OVI to show people that profit and development is not just about money or making money but about the consider of key aspects of human development that relate to the core needs and aspirations of any community. As William McDonnough says growth is not necessarily a bad thing but rather it is how we grow. Rapid growth in the open direction of sustainability and self-reliance is vital to our future. We through this process are seeking to create a process that can enable people to see practical and working models where they can see a new and practical vision of human prosperity and affluence for the 21st century that can be replicated globally to empower human beings to realize their potential.
2. What are our Goals? First and foremost we seek to maximize human potential. We feel that every human has a right to be served and supported by society so that they can achieve the fullest of their potential and the best of their abilities. We currently do not believe that societies are well designed and intentioned in this regard. Our goals relate to the development of a global model of replicating more human appropriate development models and technologies. This includes promoting increased self-reliance through what is termed appropriate technology. Also key to this approach called OVI is Peer-to-peer (P2P) and open source solutions. Through this process we seek to highlight viable alternatives to existing unsustainable and exploitative global economic practices, while promoting a new model of living that maximizes quality of life and builds self-esteem, cooperative mindset etc.
3. Is this Approach Economically Viable? Economic viability is an important consideration in any attempt to create pragmatic change in how the world operates. We feel that the economic potential of these technologies, when fully harnessed will lead to community centered, decentralized production systems that are economically competitive with existing top down approaches and models.
4. What is the role of Communications and ICT? It is a matter of bootstrapping the human mind and altering human consciousness. We need to have some food so we can communicate so we can have more food or what is the communication you envision? People in their heart of hearts are looking for something more fulfilling. For instance, if we were to identify the Kafanchan of rural Nigeria as that space to start the process - will the networked minds and hearts be ready to make it happen with all that we know and can do? People need to be able to relate one another and work together. That is where the biology/mind spirit convergence comes in. Once you can articulate and reflect what inside of you in an coherent and thoughtful way to others, you begin to arrive ats the possible answer (added) in terms of speaking the language of the consciousness to others towards being the change you want to see in the world.
5. What is Holistic ICT? Holistic ICT is a key component of OVI. It is the vision of easy to use Information Technologies that are highly integrated and configured to suit an entity’s needs. Through the development of Open Digital Villages we seek to highlight the role of the Unity Center model in creating Physical Convergence Points in which people come together to share resources and maximize the community potential. Such an approach to ICT for Development (ICT4D) as put forward by OVI will play a key role in helping people to find out about relevant ideas, practices, technologies, networks as well as access to resources to make them happen.
6. What is the role of Network Improved Communities (NICs) in this Process? Multipurpose Unity centers will design the social network tools to enable integration of knowledge, with technology and human will to act. Doug Engelbart’s NICs is about the development / both human and tool system integration.
7. What are the EcoLiving Solutions and what Role do they Play in the Process? We will through our EcoLiving Solutions Program attempt to integrate the most appropriate technologies to develop as an way to demonstrate and experiment to evaluate different models, technologies and approaches. The sustainable technologies used will depend on particular preferences and local conditions. Our particular interest is in developing the Integrated Food and Waste Management System, SolaRoof Greenhouse technologies as well as Aquaponics and Aeroponics and the exploration of stirling engines powered by the sun.
8. What are Multipurpose Unity Centers? As part of OVI, we see the need for Physical Convergence Points that bring people together in space and time from a variety of relevant perspectives and realities to create synergy within a community. The idea of a center as a space for bringing people together is nothing really new as the concept has been around since before time, the soul-place of a tribe. People have always been evolving new ways to bring people together but it is the idea of cultural, social and economic nexus point that is also connected to the environmental around us. It is a new idea in contemporary times because of our rising disregard of the importance of nature in our lives. Not just physical place but it is place for healing education, inspiration and discovery. We have always sought to redefine the ways that we interact with each other as we have developed new technologies and through how those technologies have affected our consciousness. It is a physical place where people can go to see a new vision of human prosperity and affluence for the 21st century.
9. How do Open Digital Villages relate to Multipurpose Unity Centers? The idea is that holistic ICT is part of the deployment of the OVI concept however since we take a comprehensive approach, we see the key role of an integrated suite of technologies and approaches coming together to help communities realize their full potential. Also key to the process of OVI is the idea of offering a practical model where people can be seen living and working together in a ecologically and socially sustainable way. We believe the first step towards this larger Multi-purpose Unity Center vision is Open Digital Villages where people come together to map out community needs, potentials and assets using open source technologies and approaches.
10. What does a Multipurpose Unity Center Look Like? There are many such centers in operation already around the globe. We seek to modify and improve upon what already exists. The idea varies based on the environment where we are. Basic components are technologies and tool systems with a human face. This is key to facilitating an effective and productive space for humans to engage and exchange with thoughts and discussions and exchanges that could be recorded, (if chose to be) as real-time learning tools to replicate the process elsewhere.
11. What is a Connection Portal? A Connection Portal is a key part of the Multi-purpose Unity Center concept. It is a room with space, computers and internet connection, people who are motivated to change the world for the better, and a wealth of interchanged information and communication and thinking and creativity and sharing. The knowledge / information gathered are the base for facilitating the design of the tools. So if many people want to help that vision turn into reality - then all we need is to bootstrap the process - right?
12. What are the ingredients needed to build a Multi-purpose Unity Center? We need PCs for the unity center and so we envision shipments of ‘recycled ICT devices’ loaded w/ open source stuff, but also seeds from organic farms, equipment, boots and the basics and make it a bundle package to deliver to all Multi-purpose Unity Centers. However it is not just about hardware of technologies. We have to consider the human elements as part of orchestra of cooperation for that is the foundation of community. For example: local growers / small family farm / online store / policy influence. READINESS will also be needed to deploy the tools to the actual application. This will include bootstrapping water finding, cleaning, food production, training, commerce. The Multi-purpose Unity Center is to be an experiment of learning by doing. Do we have the courage in our hearts to demonstrate what we value and do we have the ingenuity to design the process/components that reflect our seed of intent with the values that are keenly important to us, us as a whole. The answer for most people seem to be “no” or “not yet” or “why do you look at me?” That is where the Multi-purpose Unity Center concepts come in.
13. Would there be a theme? The theme is balancing real life with virtual reality. Through our work we seek to create a process of co-evolution and co-creation that could learn what has been discussed globally and effectively integrate and synergize the best of what is going on globally into a regional approach deployed at the Centers. Themes would depend on the community, for example, there could be a Center focusing on drumming fundamental thread for all is the well-being for the profit (considering the larger notion of profit as put forward by the Yoruba idea of Asuwada) of the humanity.
14. What is the Process of Replication and why is Rapid Replication Important in the Long Term Picture? A Multi-purpose Unity Center is a way to promote sustainability and EcoLiving as a life of fullness and great potential but to also point to economic viability of such a development model also. When the center reaches a certain level of development, the focus will shift towards replicating the success at the center to other regions.