Internet Overview: Internet for Development

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Internet OverviewInternet for Development

• IT for Decision Makers
• By Taholo Kami
• for UNESCO

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Mission

• Improve the quality of life of the people of
  .(Name of Country)

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Objectives - Overall

• Overview and understanding of ICT opportunities,
  issues and implications for (Insert Name of
  Country)
• Matching national / sectoral priorities and ICT
  opportunities.
• Identifying actions that will enable a knowledge
  driven society.

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Objectives - Participants

• All participants understand the possibilities
  available to them in their various roles in the
  information age.
• All participants are able to identify
  opportunities and issues that directly affect
  them and initiate actions for change.

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What is the Internet?

• Global Network
• Computers connecting people
• 400 million users
• Educated / up market but spreading quickly
• Implications in the Pacific
• Globalization
• Access to global information resources
• Extends marketing possibilities
• Instant communications

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A Global Network
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Global Online Population?

• 350 - 407 million - Dec 2001
• USA/ Canada 167 m
• Europe 113m
• Asia / Pacific 104.8
• 74.6m or 71 from Australia, NZ, Japan, South
  Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia.
• Africa 3.1m
• Middle East 2.4m
• Latin America 16.45
• Source Nua Internet Surveys

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Obstacles - Access and Participation

• Access -
• Expensive
• Cost of Computer
• Internet Connectivity - 1- 8/hour for dial up
  connection
• Internet Penetration
• Less then 3 of population
• Limited to capital or key cities

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Obstacles - Capacity

• Awareness of Internet potential
• Unaware of Existence of Network / s
• Cost vs. Benefits unconvincing
• Untrained users
• Local IT skills are premium commodities
• Computer literacy still low

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Internet Applications

• E Commerce
• Tele medicine / Health
• Distance Education
• E Governance
• Agriculture Knowledge Networks
• Virtual Communities

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Strategy

• Infrastructure
• Human Capacity Building
• Investment
• Policy and Regulation

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Components

• Infrastructure
• In Developed Countries the challenge is now
  getting the under privileged and remote areas
  online
• Developing Countries basic Telecommunications
  infrastructure competes with roads, electricity,
  transport, education for funding.
• Economic returns of Telecommunications
  infrastructure is more difficult to quantify.

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Policy and Regulation

• I.T. Policy should be aimed at creating an
  enabling environment with affordable access at
  its core.
• Duty Free for IT Hardware
• Cost / Benefits determined
• Incentives for Investment in IT
• Sound Business Environment

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Capacity Building

• Developing local capacity in IT skills via
  education and incentives
• Benchmarks
• Training Teachers - Priority
• All Students at 4th Form level.
• Build value into an Internet Passport scheme
• Pilot projects in core development priority areas
• Tourism, Trade, Governance

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Financial Support

• Financial commitment from Government and donors
  to strengthen key sectors for development
  including Telecommunications infrastructure.
• Identify core competency areas and fund
  development of information tools in these
  fields.
• Synergy will lead to IT development in other
  fields

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E Culture

• A culture of innovation and entrepreneurship must
  be developed
• Recognize impact on society and develop strategy
  to counter negative issues.
• Develop strategies for building local content and
  utilizing the Internet to enhance and promote
  culture

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Conclusion

• The Internet provides opportunities to new and
  expanded markets for the Pacific Islands.
• Information technology provides new development
  opportunities to enhance and transform national
  services such as governance, education, health
  and commerce.
• A concise national IT strategy will ensure scarce
  resources are utilized in providing necessary
  infrastructure and services to enable IT
  development in key sectors.

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Ground Rules

• 1. Its all about People
• Sell Value - benefits
• Connect to objectives
• 2. Relevance Not Reverence
• Keep technology in perspective
• Vehicle for achieving our objectives
• 3. Keep a Borderless perspective
• 4. Innovate. Break the Rules