Tharavuthalankal
Information Network is a networking of resources, organizations, and individuals of the Sri Lankan Tamil speaking community. The Network is forum to build a digital library and archive, preserve local knowledge, foster information literacy, share knowledge, conduct research and education development programs. In addition, the Information Network aims to develop capacity in local groups for self-organizing and activity.
Strategy
The first step is to identify and engage Tamil libraries, community centers, schools and universities, writers-publishers-media, and other organizations. From this outreach work, build teams for the above outlined objectives by providing resources and know-how. Eventually, these teams should be self-sufficient and self-organizing.
Geography
The Information Network is focused on the Sri Lankan provinces with large Tamil populations. The project will be implemented in North (Jaffana, Vavuniya, Mannar, Mulaithivu, Kilinochi), East (Trincomalee, Batticolo, Amparai), Central (Kanndy, Mathalai, Kokalai, Pathulai, Newaralliya), Colombo, and Puthalam provinces. In total 15 administrative units are selected for this project.
Implementation
The first phase of outreach will be through direct discussions, presentations, and workshops. Sri Lankan and the international media will be used for wider introduction. From this outreach volunteer teams will be build, The project was started in January 2010, in Jaffana.
Discussion
The Information Network will build the foundational structures needed to create digital library, archive, to preserve and develop local knowledge, information literacy, knowledge sharing, and to conduct research and educational programs. This network will strengthen the co-ordination between regional libraries, educational institutions, publishers and others. This can engage them in other social development activities. Lack of resources can be overcome if the concept of the Information Network for the outlined objectives are taken up by the public.
