Computers for Communities

‘Computers for Communities’ – the latest Commonwealth Connects project - was launched in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on 30 September 2008.

This project focuses on recycling computers and then making sure they get distributed at an affordable price to schools and members of the community across the Caribbean country.

Minister of Public Administration, Kennedy Swaratsingh, will officiate this US$200,000 programme, which is co-funded by Commonwealth Connects and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Commonwealth Connects Programme aims to help bridge the deepening Digital Divide across the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. Digital divide refers to the gap between those people with effective access to digital and information technology, and those without access to it. This divide can be within communities and countries, and between states. It is a unique initiative that enables the transfer of technology and expertise across the whole Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Connects is working in partnership with Microsoft, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

Microsoft will offer their expertise on how to re-vamp old computers whilst UNIDO will share its experience of being involved with similar projects in other regions.

“This programme will provide schools with technology that can be used to enrich classroom experiences for pupils, while communities can set up computer centres and gain access to a wealth of information via the internet,” said Anthony Ming, Head of the Commonwealth Connects Secretariat.

Jacqueline Wilson, Director of Governance and Institutional Development at the Secretariat, emphasised at the launch that performance measures must be in place to determine success of the project and establish whether they can be replicated.