What is PC4peace?
PC4peace is a Non-Profit Organization founded in November 2003 (Kyoto, Japan) with the express interest of helping to bridge the global south dilemma by reusing decommissioned technologies (mainly computers that can be used in schools) to find a new life in needy schools in our project countries.
Where and who are we?
At present our membership consists mostly of those from our founding areas in Japan (everyone is warmly welcomed based on an all encompassing non-discriminatory practice). Our membership is growing to world-wide reach well beyond the initial group as we move more and more to a virtual mode of volunteership. Please consider joining us at a local branch or ask us about setting up a PC4peace branch in your area while everyone can particiapte by becoming an online volunteer.
What does "PC4peace" mean?
PC stands for Personal Computers - for our purposes it can broadly refer to educational technology or ICT (education). The number "4" represents direction or desire as we hope to help in building peace through international cooperation (international development) and increased opportunities due to educational advancements.
What do we do?
Our main project at this time is the collection, refurbishment and transportation of computers to needy schools. Through a careful selection process we decided on Cambodia as our first national priority, yet we do consider other potential recipient nations.
Why do we focus on peace?
Peace is the overall goal of international cooperation and the focus in everything we do with PC4peace. Our group is not only concerned about quality education, yet is deeply involved in promoting reuse of decommissioned yet perfectly fine potential educational technologies. This fulfills our environmental goal as we strive to help redirect rather than dispose or recycle. In our context, peace also means that we assist in reducing the North/South gap, decreasing the digital divide and helping each person we touch to be a better human being through access to innovative learning.
How do we accomplish our goals?
Through national and international level partnerships with like minded organizations we are able to gain access to target schools. In Cambodia we utilize strong relationships with UNESCO and the Cambodia Ministry of Education Youth and Sports.
