[p2p-research] Peer-to-Peer Collaborative Possibilities?

[Michel Bauwens]

something really useful, that we don't succeeded in yet, and where you
center could be the central node: creating a network of p2p researchers that
can communicate on a more continued basis on their findings .....

Michel
On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 6:02 PM, James Wallbank <jw at access-space.org> wrote:

> Hello Michel,
>
> I picked up on the existence of the P2P Foundation from Bronac Feren on the
> "Paralelo" mailing list, and thought it was urgent for me to get in touch.
>
> I'm very interested to hear more about the P2P Foundation. If it's what I
> think it might be, I wonder whether we could and should work together.
>
> Why?
>
> I run Access Space Network, which is a UK arts, education and regeneration
> charity. Our principal action is running Access Space, a community media lab
> which supports a peer-learning community. It's been open for more than 10
> years now, which makes it the longest-running free, open access ICT learning
> centre in the UK.
>
> Critical to our longevity has been our model, which suggests that the
> principal mechanism for knowledge transfer is peer learning. Each
> participant is engaged in their own, self-directed projects, and we
> facilitate participants with similar interests and complimentary skills to
> talk with each other. We also encourage "do-it-yourself" methodologies,
> supporting participants to provide their own ICT infrastructure by
> rebuilding recycled computers with free, open source software (another
> peer-developed system). Our peer learning model has been informed by the
> ideas and ideals of the free software movement.
>
> (Yes, you read that right - the most sustainable ICT learning centre in the
> UK runs Linux and encourages participants to learn from and teach each
> other.)
>
> We're now convinced that this model has significant implications for ICT
> learning, community engagement and economic and social regeneration.
> Sheffield, the city where we're based, has been in a post-industrial crisis
> of skills, employment and population shrinkage.
>
> I've been very interested in similar models which have emerged in Brasil -
> particularly offshoots of the Metareciclagem Network. I'm hoping we can
> develop an international research project which links the topics of "ICT for
> Development" and "ICT for Urban Regeneration".
>
> Are there common lessons and methods which communities attempting to
> (re)empower themselves with ICT can share? Are there common traps and
> dead-ends? Can diverse, community level organisations form their own
> international network of sustainable practice and critical engagement with
> technology? Could this manifest to form a grassroots, global critique of
> corporate and governmental ICT strategies?
>
> Anyway, if this, or any related topics sound of interest (and/or you can
> see ways that the Access Space community might play a useful part in
> existing research projects) please do get in touch.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> James
> =====
>
> --
> James Wallbank
> CEO, Access Space Network Ltd.
> Access Space, Unit 1, AVEC Building, 3-7 Sidney St, Sheffield S1 4RG
> Access Space is UK Registered Charity: #1103837
> Tel: +44 (0)114 2495522
> Fax: +44 (0)114 2495533
> Web: http://access-space.org
>



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