[DDN] Global Alliance for ICT & Development meets again

[jc at coyotecommunications.com]

NOTE: I'm *not* associated with this initiative, so please don't write  
me for more information.


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Information and communications technologies (ICT) are crucial in
spurring “development, dignity and peace,” UN Secretary-General Ban  
Ki-moon said in a video message to a gathering of technology experts,  
activists, corporate leaders and government officials on Feb. 27,  
2007, for the opening of the Steering Committee’s meeting of the  
Global Alliance for Information and Communications Technologies and  
Development, a UN initiative.

Governments, civil society, the private sector, academia and others
must join forces to “promote new business models, public policies and
technology solutions in the global approach to development,” he added.

Members of the Alliance will brainstorm with Silicon Valley leaders
tomorrow to determine how the UN and the business world can work in tandem
to bring the benefits of ICT to developing countries.

“Increasing access to technology will be a critical driver of
economic growth in emerging economies,” said Craig Barrett, Global Alliance
Chair and Intel Corporation Chairman.  “It’s time to focus on
actions with results, not protocol. Our focus can improve people’s
lives.”

The Alliance was formed last year, and is “well placed to promote the
use of ICT in fighting poverty, illiteracy and disease, in protecting
the environment and empowering women and girls,” Mr. Ban said,
underscoring how technology can be utilized to meet the Millennium Development
Goals, a set of globally agreed targets that aim to deal with a host of
social ills – including eradicating extreme poverty – by 2015.

This session held in Santa Clara, California, is the third since the
Alliance’s creation last year and will span two days.

More info:
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sgsm10888.doc.htm

NOTE: I'm *not* associated with this initiative, so please don't write  
me for more information.

Greetings from Kabul.

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Jayne Cravens, MSc
jc "at" coyotecommunications "dot" com

Nonprofits/Civil Society -- Resources & Services
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International Development Work & Studies
www.coyotecommunications.com/development
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