Localization and internalization of technology are keys to introductionand social sustainability of the technology in any community. Throughouthistory we see advantages of communities whose language was dominant in development and dissemination of technology.Tanzania, among others, also need localization and internalization of modern information and communication tools for enhancing their utilization and ensure its sustainability in the middle and long term.

On this background, COSTECH in partnership with SWOPNet organised an expert presentation on "Localization of Free and OpenSource Software and the KiLinux effort" at COSTECH on Friday of 7th May 2004.

The speaker, Dr. Alberto Escudero-Pascual is assistant professor at theRoyal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden, currently working with Dr. Twaakyondo of the Computer Science Dept. of University of Dar es salaam in the KiLinux Project thataims at translating the Linux Operating System into Kiswahili.