‘Critical mass’ needed to reduce digital divide

To reduce the digital divide, efforts must be made to ensure that a ‘critical mass’ is reached, according to Anthony Ming, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

‘Critical mass’ is the existence of sufficient momentum in a social system which allows it to become self-sustaining to fuel further growth.

Mr Ming was speaking at the Commonwealth International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Group meeting at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London, UK, on 22 September 2008.

He cautioned that there is no silver bullet to accomplish the task, but that it requires a series of co-ordinated strategies, the first of which he identified as the development of national ICT strategies.

Mr Ming stressed the importance of having these strategies linked to a country’s national development plan that is also in line with the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

He cited a 2006 World Bank study which revealed that national ICT strategies have focused largely on e-government, infrastructure, e-education, as well as legal and regulatory issues. Mr Ming said that an e-readiness assessment is also vital in determining where a country is on its development roadmap and where it should go.

“An integrated implementation programme will help carry a national ICT strategic plan forward. Continuous enhancement, monitoring and reporting, in addition to publicity and promotions will also help improve awareness of the progress of these ICT programmes.”

He also advocated a harmonised approach in the planning and execution of ICT strategic plans for coherence and cost-effectiveness.

“Consolidated technology is the key to ICT success. This avoids the formation of a wide technical footprint where each institution, organisation or industry uses different ICT systems and software that will make co-ordination difficult due to the lack of compatibility,” said Mr Ming.

He cited countries in Asia and the Pacific as having the most fully mature ICT programmes along with New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore.

Mr Ming pointed out that Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has made ICT one of his priorities, as Mr Sharma believes it is a critical enabler in bridging the digital gap among countries and communities in facilitating opportunities to achieve development targets.

The Commonwealth ITU Group was also told that a new chair - Salomao Manhica from Mozambique - has been appointed to the Commonwealth Connects Steering Committee.

This Steering Committee comprises representatives from the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Network of Information Technology for Development, Commonwealth Business Council, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, Commonwealth of Learning, Commonwealth Foundation, and the Governments of Malta, India, Mozambique, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Group was also informed that Mr Sharma has proposed the establishment of a vice-chair to help maintain continuity and momentum in the execution of ICT projects and programmes.

The Secretary-General has also proposed the creation of a new Strategic Advisory Committee tasked with building a roadmap for Commonwealth Connects; continuing to develop public-private sector partnerships; and finding ways to accelerate the transfer of ICT-wealth from countries advanced in this field, to developing countries.

Around 30 ICT officials from all Commonwealth regions, as well as representatives from the ITU and the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation attended the two-day meeting.

Their discussions and recommendations will feed into the ITU World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly in Johannesburg, South Africa, in October 2008, as well as identifying issues pertinent to the Internet Governance Forum to be held in India this December.

Key Links:

• Commonwealth Connects
• Governance