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Commonwealth Organisations discuss bridging the digital divide

16 December 2004

Practical measures to bridge the 'digital divide' -- the socio-economic gap between communities that have access to computers and the Internet and those that do not -- were the focus of a meeting of organisations involved in implementing the Commonwealth Action Programme for the Digital Divide (CAPDD).

Bridging the digital divide.

Organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat's Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD) on 10 December 2004 in London, UK, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Government of Malta; Commonwealth Network of Information Technology for Development; Commonwealth Business Council; the Commonwealth of Learning; Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management Ltd; and the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation.

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Winston Cox, who chaired the meeting, highlighted the Report of the Commonwealth Expert Group on Information Technology for the Commonwealth High-Level Review Group. The report examines opportunities and constraints in the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) to strengthen democratic values and institutions, and to promote sustainable development. It also highlights the co-operative approach needed to bridge the digital divide.

CAPDD arose out of the 2002 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Australia. It aims to promote the wider use of ICTs in Commonwealth countries, to bridge the digital divide and promote socio-economic development of member countries, particularly small and developing states. The Secretariat is now engaged in implementing these recommendations in partnership with governments, other development agencies, the private sector and civil society.

Participants also discussed the agenda for a proposed high-level Digital Divide Forum to be convened by the Commonwealth Secretary-General early next year. Professor Victor Ayeni, Director of GIDD, said the Secretariat will reorganise the website http://www.commonwealthdigitalopportunities.com/, establishing links between the main organisations involved in implementing CAPDD. The Secretariat will also commission a study to determine the progress made in implementing CAPDD in Commonwealth countries.

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service, 214, 15 December 2004