ITCAN is open to all CSOs and NGOs in South and Southeast Asia working in the field of sexual and reproductive health and with an institutional or personal interest in developing their skills in using ICTs for their work. ITCAN activities - many of which are online, others of which involve face-to-face workshops - are being implemented in these 17 countries and territories: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

The ITCAN website acts as a central hub for these partner organisations. There, they can read details about upcoming (ITCAN and non-ITCAN) events in the field of ICTs for development, access resource listings on reproductive health and ICT issues, read a monthly enewsletter, and find out more about capacity building and information exchange activities, especially online trainings. All sections of the website are also available as text only, to accommodate slower connections.

To detail two specific sections of the site, first, a major feature of the ITCAN Exchange is an electronic forum designed to enable the exchange of information related to using ICTs to address HIV/AIDS. The idea is to encourage dialogue on ICTs both on a North-South and a South-South basis to help stakeholders identify synergies, share ideas and solutions, and discuss successful strategies. Examples of discussion topics include the use of ICTs for teaching and learning and the cost-effectiveness of ICTs compared to "traditional" communication methods. Furthermore, both South and Southeast Asian as well as European CSOs who have experience in using modern communication methods in their work, and who are prepared to assume a "Training of Trainer" or mentorship role, may join the network as "ICT champions".

Second, ITCAN provides a series of online manuals and guides, which are downloadable in PDF format, dedicated to capacity building. These materials, and the training programme that they are associated with, provide information on how to acquire basic and more advanced ICT skills, as well as how these skills can be adopted to improve press and advocacy campaigns or to reach new target groups and beneficiaries.

Technology, Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS.

Organisers say that despite having a considerably high level of "connectivity", South and Southeast Asia demonstrate a lack of skills and knowledge in the area of ICT application. Nevertheless, they say, the desire of organisations working in civil society to use these modern tools is great. The results of a rapid assessment study undertaken by ECPD showed that most organisations did have access to internet and email but were not in the position to exploit fully the potential of sharing information and gaining knowledge these methods offered.