The Global E-Quality Network is a virtual thematic network dealing with Knowledge and ICT-related research and practices to support local, regional, national and international initiatives. Its major focus is to optimise the online knowledge exchange and online dissemination of research publications and information about (theoretical and applied) projects, thematic dossiers, reports, informed debates and shared needs.

The Global E-Quality Network is anaccess, not-for-profit network aimed at individuals as well as organisations dealing with ICT issues. It brings together researchers, institutions, decision makers, NGOs, interested groups and individuals from industrialised as well as developing countries.

Guiding Principle
The Global E-Quality Network supports a dynamic notion of knowledge transfer, involving individuals, institutions, companies, governments, non-governmental organisation and universities. In order to carry out this aim the major focus will be on the dissemination of research on ICTs and Global E-Quality.

Thematic Focus
The Global E-Quality Network will seek to identify priority themes. It will facilitate the rethinking of concepts, frameworks and ICT-related research in social and economic contexts.

Drawing from the conclusions of the Maastricht 2002 Conference that launched this network, we can start with a rethinking of the following:

• “People first, Technology second”, and related topics such as “People versus Technology”
• The Digital Divides
• ICTs for Education: “e-learning”
• ICTs and Cultural Diversity
• “The Generational Gap?”: ICTs and intergenerational relations

The fundamental direction of the forthcoming activities and exchange of ideas will be the suggestions, feedback, input from the network participants.

Origins
The origins of the Global E-Quality Network network stems from the 2001 International Institute of Infonomics funded international project “Internet, Development and Education: An Exploratory Study of Internet Usage at Higher Education Institutions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America”.

Its main objectives were:

1. Report of research findings (2002) including identification of key topics for further research.
   
2. An international conference (2002) on “Global E-Quality - Rethinking ICTs in Africa, Asia and Latin America”.
   
3. The establishment of a sustainable virtual Global E-Quality Network.

Objectives
The Global E-Quality Network consists of four main pillars through which it fulfils its supportive role to its network members:

1. Interactive Platform offering organised debates around relevant topics for sharing information. The compiled and edited summaries of discussions will be available for network members.
   
2. Electronic Publication Platform consisting of:
   
   • Interactive Gallery of Ideas for papers on relevant topics (consisting non-refereed articles)
   • Thematic dossiers or compilations prepared by calls for papers or guest-edited (ideally peer-reviewed)
   • Links to new and relevant online publications, focussing on quality instead of quantity compared with a simple Google search.
   • A long-term goal is the achievement of the Global E-Quality Network E-Journal, providing and free access to peer-reviewed research articles and publications on E-Quality related issues
   
   
3. News and information: In the near future the Global E-Quality Network would like to add a book review section and a news section. The website also offers the possibility of subscribing to the weekly Global E-Quality Network Newsletter, to inform subscribers about new information available on the website.
   
4. Innovative Network: On the Global E-Quality Network website we would like to work together in partnerships based on the quality of the activities and objectives, including research and projects.
   

What we offer

1. The Global E-Quality Network offers authors a place where they can publish their articles in the Gallery of Ideas, or for inclusion in thematic dossiers. Through the interactive forums authors get valuable feedback from the network community.
   
2. We invite you to propose themes for a compilation or organised discussion on our website. Authors can also post submissions to the interactive Gallery of Ideas on our website.
   
3. We offer our members guest editorships and review editorships. for this we’re offering guest editorships and review opportunities).

Staff
Network Coordinator: Stefan Verhaegh
Stefan Verhaegh is currently finishing his M.A. degree at the University of Maastricht, majoring in Technological Culture at the Faculty of Science and Culture Studies. His main research interests are technological culture and democratic technologies.
Email: Stefan.Verhaegh

Editorial Supervisor: Dr. Myriam Diocaretz
Before joining ECDC and the International Institute of Infonomics, Myriam Diocaretz worked as Worldwide Training Manager at WorldCom, Amsterdam, and earlier she had been Training Co-ordinator at Stream International, in Training for technical support of new technologies in global, and networked environments.
Email: Myriam.Diocaretz

Webmaster: Herman Pijpers
Herman Pijpers joined the International Institute of Infonomics and ECDC in 2001. Before that he worked for five years at the European Journalism Centre in Maastricht as project assistant, webmaster and editor of the Centre's daily e-zine 'Media News Digest'.
Email: Herman.Pijpers

Contact
You can contact the Global E-Quality Network by one of the following ways:

- General queries: Stefan.Verhaegh
- Submissons: Myriam.Diocaretz
- Technical queries: Herman.Pijpers

Telephone: + 31
Fax: +

Address:
European Centre for Digital Communication
PO BOX 2606
6401 DC Heerlen
the Netherlands

Nieuw Eyckholt 290 A
6419 DJ Heerlen
the Netherlands