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World Computer Exchange (WCE) is a 15-yearoldnon-profit organization incorporated in the United StatesandCanada that provides the following 6 services: capacitybuilding,low-cost computers, content development, training trips,computersfor girls and local e-waste solutions. WCE’s services areenhancedby 25 global educational Strategic Allies. WCE’s 800volunteersassist 900 Partner organizations in 81 developingcountries inAfrica, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Since2000, 4.3million youth in 3,150 computer labs located inschools,universities, youth centers and libraries were able toaccess newskills, understanding and opportunities via the interneton WCErefurbished computers while these computers were kept outoflandfills and recycled appropriately.

Our Mission: To reduce the digital divide for youth indevelopingcountries; to use our global network of partnerships toenhancecommunities in these countries; and to promote the reuseofelectronic equipment and its ultimate disposal inanenvironmentally responsible manner.

The idea for WCE came in 1999 when Timothy Anderson was amid-careerstudent at Harvard University’s Kennedy School ofGovernment. Whilethere he learned that from 1999 to 2005 over 250million computerswould become obsolete in the U.S. - a staggeringnumber. At the sametime he was hearing from his fellow classmatesfrom developingcountries that their homelands, especially schools,wanted toconnect their youth to the Internet. The idea ofrepurposing usedcomputers was fairly obvious. The challengingquestion was, "Howcould it be done efficiently andcost-effectively?"

WCE has been showcased by numerous organizations includingtheAssociation of Directors of National Libraries in LatinAmerica,Black Data Processing Association,Consumer ElectronicsShow,Cornell University Institute for African Development, GlobalCitiesDialogue, Harvard Kennedy School, iEARN International,IliaChavchavadze State University Georgia, Peace Corps,SpecialLibraries Association, UNESCO, United Nations GlobalAlliance forInformation and Communication Technologies &Development, UNICT Task Force Working Group on Low Cost Access,Walgreens, WorldEconomic Forum’s Global Digital Divide Initiative,World TechnologySummit, and Yale University School of Management.In addition, wework in many countries with Peace Corps Volunteers,Rotary Clubs,iEARN Chapters, UNDP Offices, and USAIDMissions.

Sponsored by imin.com – http://www.imin.com