YAOUNDE (Reuters) – Farmgate cocoa prices in Cameroon’s main growing regions have fallen by as much as 6 percent since April as heavy rains have hampered drying of beans and further damaged unpaved roads needed to transport the beans to port, farmers said on Tuesday.

Prices fell to between 925 and 940 CFA francs per kg in Bafia, the main growing hub in the Centre region, from about 960 to 975 CFA francs in April. In Mamfe in the South West region, prices fell to between 875 and 900 CFA francs per kg from 960 CFA francs.

“It is not easy for farmers to sun their beans as it is raining heavily almost everyday,” said Dickson Tambe, head a local farmers’ cooperative in Mamfe.

“Farmers can neither take their few beans to marketing centres nor can buyers come in from Kumba and Douala (the main commercial centres),” Tambe added, reffering to the deteriorating state of the roads.

Attacks by caterpillars and black pod disease earlier in the year has delayed the start of the mid-crop harvest in the Centre and South regions and this has also hurt prices, said Essien Efa, who farms in Ebolowa.

“The mid-crop harvest has started very slowly and from all indications this may also affect this season’s output,” Efa said.

Cocoa output in the world’s fifth grower hit a record of 240,000 tonnes in 2010/11 and the Cocoa Development Authority (SODECAO) projected the figure would rise to 250,000 tonnes this year. But so far exports have been lagging.

The cocoa season in the Central African country, the world’s fifth grower, runs from August 1 to July 31 with the main crop harvest from October to January/February and the mid-crop harvest from May to July.

© Thomson Reuters 2012 All rights reserved

Government Interference Denies Freedom of Assembly, Expression

(Nairobi) – Cameroonian authorities on March 27, 2012, illegally shut down a human rights workshop in Yaoundé that was to include discussion of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and arrested one of the workshop organizers, Human Rights Watch said today. The action violated rights to freedom of assembly and expression under both Cameroonian and international law, Human Rights Watch said.

The workshop, scheduled to be held at a Yaoundé hotel, had been authorized by the local sub-prefect, an administrative official, in accordance with Cameroonian law. But the sub-prefect revoked his authorization as the event was beginning, upon realizing that the “human rights” to be discussed included the rights of sexual minorities. Police arrested Stéphane Koche, an activist working with the convening organizations, and detained him for three hours before releasing him without charge.

“Cameroonians have the right to freedom of assembly and expression, even if their viewpoints are not popular in the eyes of the authorities,” said Boris Dittrich, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “Shutting down a workshop and detaining an activist is no way for Yaoundé authorities to treat people who have come together to talk about human rights.” 

The workshop, which was scheduled to take place over three days, was coordinated by three groups – Adolescents against AIDS (SID’ADO), Association pour la Défense de Homosexuel-le-s, (Association for the Defense of Gays and Lesbians, ADEPHO), and Collective des Familles des Enfants Homosexuel-le-s (Collective of Families of Gay and Lesbian Children). It was to include a range of human rights and professional organizations, including women’s rights groups, AIDS organizations, and groups representing pharmacists, doctors, and lawyers. Representatives of the United States and German embassies in Yaoundé were also present.

Participants told Human Rights Watch that shortly after they arrived at the hotel, local youth, described by a participant as “thugs,” arrived.  A representative of the Cameroonian Youth Rally – an anti-gay youth organization with no public authority or policing powers – arrived with a group of young men and told participants, “Leave – this meeting is not going to take place.”

Shortly thereafter, police, gendarmes, and civilian authorities, including the prefect of Mfoundi and the Yaoundé sub-prefect who had authorized the meeting, arrived and dispersed participants.

Participants told Human Rights Watch that the sub-prefect claimed that he had authorized a meeting that was to address HIV/AIDS, not a meeting at which homosexuality would be discussed. “They said it was illegal to talk about homosexuality because homosexuality is illegal,” one participant said.

Cameroonian law prohibits “sexual relations with a person of the same sex.” The existing law violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to privacy (article 17) and the right to be free from discrimination (articles 2 and 26).  Cameroon has no law that could justify a prohibition on meetings to discuss the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

Contacted by Human Rights Watch regarding the legal basis for shutting down the meeting, a Justice Ministry official said he was not aware of the incident.

“Using Cameroon’s disputed sodomy law as a pretext to prohibit discussion of sexual rights is unfair and extreme, compounding one human rights violation with another,” Dittrich said. “The Cameroonian authorities should apologize to the workshop organizers and permit them to hold this workshop and others, safely and peacefully.”

Two ministers; the minister of public health, André mama Fouda and the minister of basic education, Youssouf Hadidja Alim were in the government primary school mballa ii this 3rd may to launch the 2012 national campaign to de-worm children of school age.

The two day campaign which targets some 8.5 million Cameroonians has been organized to fight against bilharzias and other intestinal worms.

On the occasion, Minister Andre Mama Fouda expressed gratitude to donor organizations particularly the Hellen Keller International Organization for the support given to Cameroon.

He called on school authorities to help the children respect basic hygienic rules in order to roll back infections.

The campaign ends this Friday, 4th of May 2012.

CRTV

WEST LAFAYETTE — Six Purdue University students are heading to the African nation of Cameroon to make life easier in one rural village with a three-wheeled motorized vehicle they’ll build on the spot.

The students head Monday to Bangang (BONG’-ohn), Cameroon, where they’ll work with local residents to build their so-called basic utility vehicle that’s low-cost, durable and adaptable.

Purdue’s first vehicle designed for Cameroon was made mostly of wood, but the new design features more iron and car parts that can be salvaged from junkyards. Those changes have lowered the vehicle’s cost to about $800, excluding the engine.

The three-wheeled Purdue vehicle is designed to maneuver the village’s narrow and heavily rutted dirt roads. The goal is to allow villagers to move large amounts of water and goods over the rough terrain.

Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2012

ix à neuf mois pour conduire des opérations qui coûteront environ 20 milliards.

Voici bientôt deux semaines que les cinq opérateurs de biométrie présélectionnés pour mener la refonte des listes électorales ont été auditionnés par des équipes de la direction générale des Elections (DGE).

Les postulants venus de France, du Canada, d’Afrique du Sud, d’Allemagne et du Cameroun ont pu présenter leur savoir-faire en la matière. Ils avaient présenté leurs différentes offres, sur les plans technique, administratif et financier, le chronogramme de la mise en œuvre de leur travail et le plan de formation et de suivi du processus. Outre ces aspects, il a également fallu procéder à une démonstration sur site.

Certains ont ainsi pu démontrer leur capacité à pouvoir travailler dans un environnement qui intègre entre autre, les difficultés d’accès à l’énergie électrique. C’est donc fort de ces critères, que lors de sa descente à Elections Cameroon le 9 avril 2012, Cameroon Tribune a pu apprendre que trois des cinq postulants ont pu émerger. De cette dernière liste, sera connu dans les jours qui viennent, l’heureux élu. Comme le rappelait Mohaman Sani Tanimou à l’ouverture des auditions des soumissionnaires, l’avis du gouvernement sera requis pour cette ultime étape. Avec la signature du contrat dont la mouture est déjà presque prête du côté de la DGE, le soumissionnaire pourra se mettre au travail.

Un travail qui consistera en l’acquisition du matériel, la formation des personnels chargés des opérations d’inscription sur les listes électorales, même si pour des raisons évidentes, l’inscription des électeurs camerounais sur les listes électorales sera effectuée par le personnel d’Elections Cameroon et les membres des commissions mixtes. Tout ceci a un coût. L’on devrait se situer, selon les avis, entre 15 et 20 milliards de F. Pas très loin de ce qui a été fait au Gabon voisin. Le but recherché par Elections Cameroon est la production de documents fiables pour la constitution d’un fichier électoral crédible.

Nos sources parlent de récépissés qui devraient avoir les mêmes informations (photo, état-civil) que la carte proprement dite, même si l’on rappelle que, comme le veut la loi, le récépissé ne remplace pas la carte. Pour la délivrance de cette dernière aux électeurs, l’on ne devrait pas attendre les 40 jours prescrits. Une avancée par rapport à la dernière révision des listes électorales, les cartes seront confectionnées localement et non plus uniquement à la direction générale des Elections à Yaoundé, même si c’est ici que se fera la sécurisation de toutes les données qui seront collectées sur le terrain. Pour boucler l’opération, 6 à 9 mois seront nécessaires pour pouvoir envisager l’organisation des élections attendues.

Cameroon Tribune

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working hard with our friends at Microsoft to prepare for the launch of an exciting new program: Innovate4Good@Microsoft. TakingITGlobal is honoured to have been chosen as the online community partner, building an online community to engage young people around the world in programs and opportunities that support their natural passion for innovation, connecting them to opportunities to realize their potential. We’ll be working to build connections between the TIG and Innovate4Good online community – sharing relevant programs and opportunities in both directions.

The program is kicking off with a series of events Microsoft is holding across the globe, bringing together young people who have been touched by the many programs Microsoft has supported through its Corporate Citizenship focus on Opportunity for Youth. Just last week, Microsoft and the International Youth Foundation released a report framing the global opportunity gap - which provides insightful context on the urgency of the need to invest in youth.

The first event was in Seattle this past Saturday, and brought together nearly 100 young people from across the United States at Microsoft’s campus. Our team arrived last Friday to put the finishing touches on the Innovate4Good@Microsoft online community, and to prepare for Saturday’s event. On Friday night, there was a reception at the Microsoft Store, where the enthusiastic staff provided a comprehensive showcase of a variety of technology scenarios – from a Windows 8 and Microsoft Surface demo, to a look at several productivity products, like the Neatreceipts scanner and an amazing digital pen, which more than one attendee bought to take home with them.

Our team pulled up to the venue on Saturday just as one of Seattle’s most famous donut trucks was setting up – providing a real treat for attendees who would be arriving shortly. We setup a counter of PCs, where we helped each attendee register for the online community after their registration – and were relieved after our hard work on the site that everything ran smoothly. The attendees provided some great feedback and were quite excited to use the community to follow the activities of future events and stay connected to opportunities for engagement from Microsoft.

The event itself was masterfully facilitated by our friend Allan Gunn (aka “Gunner”) who we’ve had the pleasure of working with in the past at the World Summit on the Information Society. Any “ice” between participants was quickly broken with a fun activity, physically reflecting on perspectives on different issues – from juvenile detention to Internet as a human right.

Then the serious work began – brainstorming issues that participants wanted to solve, and clustering them together. Here are some highlights of the diverse challenges to be tackled:

Before breaking into groups to expand on the ideas, a variety of Microsoft teams hosted a “speed geek” session, showcasing their products and programs: Imagine Cup, MS Research, Kinect for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows 8, Skype, and a new art software preview. Lots of fun! Windows 8 looks pretty cool – especially on some of the powerful new slates (tablets with laptop-like power)

After we all geeked out, a number of participants agreed to act as facilitators, and groups emerged to flesh out potential approaches to addressing the different problems. The day ended with an inspiring go-round of the groups, hearing the amazing ideas that had emerged in just over an hour of work together. Everyone headed down to the Microsoft visitor centre where Kinect Darts and Microsoft Surface Checkers were being enjoyed – with some great music from a local DJ to celebrate a packed day.

We’re excited about supporting the development of this program with Microsoft over the coming weeks, months, and years. Next weekend the event comes to Cairo, followed by other cities including Singapore, Brussels, Mexico City and Beijing. If you’re in Singapore and interested in attending, applications are open!