Dr Michael Frendo, Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs (left), Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon (centre) and Naimur Rahman of OneWorld South Asia (right). Click Here for video highlights of the launch (Windows Media)
'Commonwealth Connects' ICT Development Programme Unveiled
3 August 2006
A new Commonwealth initiative to bridge the deepening digital divide across its member countries was unveiled by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK, on 3 August 2006.
Known as Commonwealth Connects, this programme promotes development in information and communication technology (ICT) among member countries, particularly least developed countries and their communities. The aim is to facilitate local, regional and international linkages through the worldwide web that will enhance access to information, networking opportunities and electronic commerce.
Addressing a gathering of High Commissioners and members of the media at the launch of Commonwealth Connects and its website, http://www.commonwealthconnects.net/, the Secretary-General said the occasion was “a very important landmark”.
“Today sees the birth of a global website for sharing best practice and best policy in ICT programmes and initiatives from right across the Commonwealth,” stated Mr McKinnon. “The site will be a critical element of building a Commonwealth IT community. Imagine the power of technology to bridge the digital divide to transform individual lives, communities and entire communities.”
Commonwealth Connects focuses on five specialised areas: building policy and regulatory capacity; modernising education and skills development; entrepreneurship for poverty reduction; promoting local access and connectivity; and regional networking, local content and knowledge.
Dr Michael Frendo, Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of Commonwealth Connects’ Steering Committee, noted the programme would enable countries to enter the information age fully equipped to compete effectively in the global marketplace.
“We have a historic opportunity to provide solutions to the digital divide and genuinely give contribution to sustainable development, generating new growth, jobs and productivity, and to push up the standard of living of people in the Commonwealth. This programme helps to improve engagement and participation from across all sectors of communities, societies and governments,” said Dr Frendo.
India, Malta, Mozambique, and Trinidad and Tobago, which are members of the Steering Committee, plan to fund Commonwealth Connects to a little under £1 million over the next three years.
The first project launched under the Commonwealth Connects programme -- ‘Rebuilding After the Tsunami: Using ICTs for Change’ -- was also unveiled at the event. This project aims to offer quality web development, e-communication services and training to organisations working on tsunami rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka and India.
Its project manager, Naimur Rahman of OneWorld South Asia, stated: “Improving connectivity for individuals and communities, which in turn may provide access to this critical transformational information, is the key focus for any ICT for development initiative. The current project attempts at creating, nurturing and managing human connectedness through ICTs -- for humanitarian response to disaster; and for equalising opportunities across barriers of poverty, education, gender, socio-economic status and regional disparities. This will help to build synergy and to pursue collective and collaborative endeavours within and outside the Commonwealth.”
Other Commonwealth Connects projects will involve the provision of radio-based business training for women in Cameroon to help them in micro-enterprise; and the distribution of refurbished computers donated by Caribbean governments and citizens to local schools for computer training.
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