According to a document with the catchy title "Directions for Development and Use of Open Source Code Computer Programmes in Bodies and Institutions of State Administration" the [Croatian] Government says it needs to develop, prepare and procure open-source software.
Basically it feels that proprietary software leads to too much dependence on suppliers, which can damage the market competition.
France plans to offer 1.2 million of the country's poorest citizens a computer with broadband Internet access for a daily fee of €1 (US$1.28), to ensure that they have access to the increasing number of government services available online.
The French government has set ambitious targets for making public services available over the Internet, but is concerned that almost half the population still lacks regular access to the Internet.
There is an immense information and communication technology (ICT) gap, a “digital divide”, between developed and developing countries. A person in a high-income country is over 22 times more likely to be an Internet user than someone in a low-income country. Secure Internet servers, a rough indicator of electronic commerce, are over 100 times more common in high-income than in low-income countries. In high-income countries, mobile phones are 29 times more prevalent and mainline penetration ...
At the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum Africa 2006, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and former US President Bill Clinton highlighted the critical role information and communication technology (ICT) and public-private partnerships play to create change and a strong, vibrant future across Africa and developing countries. During his keynote, Gates highlighted Microsoft's long-term approach to investment in Africa, including collaborations between Microsoft and local and global organisations su ...
In Africa, the channels of communication are underdeveloped or inappropriate due to numerous factors. This paper outlines the prospects for fiber optic technology in Africa and looks at some fiber optic networks in Africa, examining how fiber optics applications are being used to enhance technological and economic development.
This report shows where we stand in 2006 in achieving these goals. The challenges the Goals represent are staggering. But there are clear signs of hope. The data on the following pages and other evidence suggest that providing every child with a primary school education is within our grasp. The handful of countries in sub-Saharan Africa that are successfully lowering HIV infection rates and expanding treatment demonstrate that the war against AIDS can be won. Step by step, we see that women ...
Scientists from 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have come up with a plan of action for applying satellite technology to a wide range of development issues.
Among the applications is telemedicine, in which large hospitals are connected via satellite to remote clinics where terrestrial communication systems are non-existent or damaged.
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) announced on Wednesday the creation of an ambitious new initiative, Business Action to Support the Information Society (BASIS).
This project will lend business expertise and experience to the emerging global dialogue that is shaping the agenda on Internet governance and information and communications technologies (ICTs), particularly in multi stakeholder discussions at the United Nations and following the UN World Summit on the Information Society ...
Daan Boom: ADB recognises the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) to fight poverty and foster development in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2002, the ADB approved a sector policy encouraging innovations in ICT and learning technologies. Despite the fact that millions of people do have access to ICT and the Internet, for billions it is still out of reach. That needs to be changed. The development community needs to ensure that all the benefits ICT can bring are accessibl ...
In its fourth year, the Information and Communication Technologies Task Force, through its core activities, working groups and regional nodes, made a substantive contribution to the preparations for the Tunis phase of the World Summit on the Information Society by sponsoring several regional meetings, organizing a series of global forums, producing several publications and participating actively in events organized by other stakeholders; organized three high-level round tables linking inform ...
The Secretary-General has approved on 29 March 2006 the launch of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development.
I have decided to appoint Mr. Sarbuland Khan as Executive Coordinator of the Secretariat of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development until further notice.
Jose Antonio Ocampo
Prior to Tunis a “Working Group on Internet Governance” (WGIG) established the following working definition: „Internet governance is the development and application by Governments, the private sector and civil society, in their respective roles, of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the Internet.“ - This working definition of “Internet governance”, however, is not substantive but procedural and lacks normative de ...
One of the most significant outcomes of the World Summit on Information Society, which took place in Tunis between 16 and 18 November 2005, was the birth of the Internet Governance Forum.
The roles and functions of the Forum are set out in paragraphs 72-79 of the “Tunis Agenda for the Information Society” (see: important documents). Briefly, its main purpose will be to discuss a wide range of issues related to Internet Governa ...
Venue: Athens, GreeceThe roles and functions of the Forum are set out in paragraphs 72-79 of the “Tunis Agenda for the Information Society”. Briefly, its main purpose will be to discuss a wide range of issues related to Internet Governance, and, where appropriate, to make recommendations to the international community. The working and function of the Forum will be multilateral, multi-stakeholder democratic and transparent.
Greece has offered to hos ...
Venue: Athens, Greece