• Commonwealth:
• News:
• News Archive Search:
• Commonwealth summit explores ways to bridge digital divide

Commonwealth summit explores ways to bridge digital divide

28 March 2007

Collaboration and partnerships among governments, private sector and civil society key focus of the meeting

An international summit aimed at narrowing the gap between those with access to information and communication technology (ICT) and those without in the Commonwealth took place in New Delhi, India, from 23 to 24 March 2007.

The summit, the inaugural international conference of Commonwealth Connects since its establishment in August 2006, was opened by India’s President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon and the Chairperson of Commonwealth Connects, Dr Michael Frendo, who is the Foreign Minister of Malta, also spoke at the event.

The International e-Partnership Summit offered networking opportunities for all players in the ICT industry to work together in mutually beneficial ways to enhance the use of modern technology for development in the Commonwealth.

“Every aspect of our lives are interlinked with ICT -- through the internet, e-mails, PDAs, SMS, 3-G mobile phones, global positioning systems -- you name it, all the acronyms that dominate cyberspeak and IT-speak,” said the Secretary-General ahead of the summit.

“We live in an instantaneous world of communications today with data transmissions taking place every second of every day -- information that is critical for success in governance and business, as well as emergency situations to save lives.

“Having information at your fingertips is vital so that you are well informed and can make educated decisions. Commonwealth Connects can help develop the potential of an individual, company, community and country by employing ICT for growth.”

The Commonwealth Connects programme is focused on building policy and regulatory capacity; modernising education and skills development; enhancing entrepreneurship for poverty reduction; promoting local access and connectivity; and improving regional networking, local content and knowledge.

Dr Frendo stated that the power of ICT should be harnessed to improve competitiveness in the global arena.

“Connectivity is crucial to facilitate the transfer of technology, knowledge and data,” he said.

“In our digital age, you need to have access to local, regional and international networks and the ability to develop local content and knowledge. Commonwealth Connects aims to bridge the digital divide among countries and communities so that we can all benefit from the sharing of resources and capacities to help each other progress by capitalising on our comparative advantage.

“This sharing of knowledge, experience and skills is how the Commonwealth can add value to member countries through the Commonwealth Connects ICT development programme.”

Commonwealth Connects currently supports three projects. The first is ‘Rebuilding after the Tsunami: using ICTs for change’, which uses modern internet technology to enhance the capacity of civil societies in Sri Lanka and India to co-ordinate their post-tsunami recovery efforts.

The second project in Cameroon is focused on small business training for women in Cameroon using radio programmes. It involves the development of content for radio programmes that will provide useful information and tips to help strengthen the entrepreneurial capacity of women in targeted communities.

The third project -- ‘Computers for communities’ -- is aimed at providing refurbished computers for schools and disadvantaged communities throughout the Caribbean. This project is being executed by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, which will set up the refurbishment centre.