Andrew Mahar, Infoxchange, Victoria
This paper aims to present Infoxchange Australia's experience in the last 12 years of using technology as a primary tool to building communities. Infoxchange Australia is a not-for-profit social enterprise company focusing on community building, using Information Technology as the primary tool to create positive social change. Infoxchange Australia develops, implements and maintains a range of electronic networking and information technologies, which allow the easily and efficient exchange of ideas and information across all sectors of the community.
Infoxchange Australia's mission is Technology for Social Justice.
Established in 1989 Infoxchange Australia provides a total range of Information Communication Technology (ICT) services to the not-for-profit sector for community building purposes. These include database and online information/content management, website design and hosting, a wide curriculum of computer training and computer recycling and Internet service Provision. It is an active player in developing public, private and non-government partnerships, and has an impressive track record in successfully using ICT for social justice outcomes. The emphasis is with interactivity and two-way communication flows.
Infoxchange Australia's outstanding achievements have been recognised internationally. In 2000 it was a joint winner in the Public Service and Democracy category of the annual Stockholm Challenge Award. The jury declared the entry as a first class example of how Information Technology might be used in a new and innovative way. As an initiator of online system since 1989, the work of Infoxchange Australia continues to expand as a result of our track record in working collaboratively with the community and other partners.