Module 6- ICT4DEV Applications for the Caribbean - PowerPoint

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ICT4DEV APPLICATIONS for the Caribbean Presentation by Dr. Gillian M Marcelle, Principal Consultant, Technology for Development and Member UN ICT TASK FORCE “Diplomacy and Cyberspace” Seminar organised by UNDESA and UNITAR, Rome October 20- 24 2003.

Transcript of Module 6- ICT4DEV Applications for the Caribbean - PowerPoint

ICT4DEV APPLICATIONS for the Caribbean

Presentation by Dr. Gillian M Marcelle, Principal Consultant, Technology for Development and Member UN ICT TASK FORCE“Diplomacy and Cyberspace” Seminar organised by UNDESA and UNITAR, Rome October 20- 24 2003.

Gillian Marcelle © TfDev2

ICT4Dev APPLICATIONS Basic communications (voice, data, Internet)EducationHealthAgriculture and food securityPoverty alleviationEmergency management and disaster preventionTrade facilitation and networking with the DiasporaE-governmentE-commerce in culture, leisure and entertainment

Gillian Marcelle © TfDev3

Access to Basic ICTsPublicise telecentre programsRemove regulatory and administrative obstaclesSpecify minimum service requirements to meet development needsAssess feasibility of telecentre plans and determine levels of public supportFacilitate operators access to information, technology and infrastructureProvide or channel financial support for investment and start-up Provide training and support to operatorsMonitor and evaluate results and disseminate best practices

Source: Wellenius, B. (2003)

Gillian Marcelle © TfDev4

Strengthening National ICT Policy

Partnership with governments, civil society and other

actors

http://funredes.org

http://www.unicttaskforce.org/index.asp

http://www.icamericas.net/

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EducationCaribbean Universities Project for Integrated Distance Education (CUPIDE), which now takes off with the establishment of its implementation plan. CUPIDE is a joint project of the University of the West Indies (UWI) in Jamaica's Capital Kingston and UNESCO.http://www.cupide.org.jm

Sabine Detzel, UNESCO Office in Kingston, Jamaica Contact e-mail [email protected] Source CUPIDE/UNESCO

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Health

Health information disseminationEpidemiology surveillanceTelemedicine applications (diagnosis, pathology etc.)Emergency communications for midwives and other health professionalsNetworks among communities for health promotion

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Agriculture

Information dissemination using radio,TV, audiostreaming, Internet, CD -RomsWeather reportsPrices and market informationFarmer networksExtension services

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Poverty alleviation

Source: Accascina (2000)

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ICT & poverty alleviation (2)e-jobs are an opportunity to reverse 'brain drain' and historic migration trends where people move to where jobs are. With today's technology, jobs could instead be made available where people live. Concentrate advanced IT infrastructure on activities where there is a buoyant global marketProvide social investments in IT as well Distribute information about citizens' rights

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Emergency ManagementToday the Internet plays a recurring role in all phases of emergency information management….the Internet can support crisis managers with new and powerful capabilities. At its best, the Internet supplies research material on demand, offers a dynamic system for information sharing and collaboration, and allows nearly instantaneous communication across time zones and national boundaries. At its worst, the Internet can compound a crisis. Complications emerge when misinformation is e-mailed around the world, when well-intended amateur relief efforts disrupt the business of official relief agencies, and when the network just isn't accessible because of power outages, equipment shortages, language barriers, or government restrictions.

Source: Laurie Putnamhttp://firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_11/putnam/index.html

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Emergency Management (2)Mitigation: The long-view stage, prior to the anticipation of an actual disaster, when action is taken to mitigate the scope or severity of a disaster's impact. Actions might include precautionary measures like bolting a house to its foundation so it might better withstand an earthquake. Preparedness: The phase prior to the anticipation of an actual disaster when action is taken to plan and prepare for emergency response and recovery. Actions might include developing response plans and back-up systems, establishing mutual aid agreements among agencies, and stocking first aid kits. Response: The phase during or immediately following a disaster when action is taken to respond to the emergency. Actions might include providing emergency medical services, sheltering victims, or conducting search-and-rescue operations. Recovery: The phase following an emergency when action is taken to recover from the effects of a disaster. Actions might include restoring utility services or providing loans for the rebuilding of homes.

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ICT enabled networks for disaster organisations CARDIN

The Caribbean Disaster Information Network (CARDIN) was established in June 1999 to provide linkages with Caribbean disaster organizations, to widen the scope of the collection of disaster related information and to ensure improved access to such material. The project is funded by the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO).

Established comprehensive database which encompasses the English, French, Spanish and Dutch speaking Caribbean …The Library of the University of the West Indies at Mona.

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e- Trade and e-CommerceBest opportunities – Tourism– Entertainment– Professional services– ICT and IT-enabled Services– Education and trainingCommon barriers– Legal and regulatory environment– Infrastructure and costs– Cumbersome bureaucratic procedures– Small size of countries and small regional markets– Inadequate promotional thrust to attract investment

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Pros & Cons of E-Finance

Internet can reduce transaction costsBasic websites are cheap and quickInternet simplifies commercial chainsProvides opportunities for innovation

• Technological leapfrogging possibilities in e-finance are not widespreadThese gains have been exaggeratedFully functional, industrial strength e-commerce sites is a complex undertakingNew intermediaries have been createdEstablished finance houses have done better in providing e-enabled services than start-ups

E-Finance offers opportunities for quicker deployment and better coverage than traditional approaches. Efficiency gains come fromreducing costs of administration and management and from reducing direct sales to clients

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E-government

Source: Hoekman, A. (2002)

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Cultural Services, Leisure and EntertainmentDigital music production and the use of ICT in making music with technology. Music entrepreneurs digital music producers to start their own music company. MultiCast. (http://www.geocities.com/siliconisland2k2).Caribbean ICT enabled culture services o be showcased at WSIS side event ICT4Development platform; check www.ict-4d.org

Mullti Cast producers MakonnenBlake Hannah and Eric Dixon.

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ICT sector promotion

ICT applications in niche sectorsOutsourcing and call centre operations ICT knowledge acquisitionSupport for innovation in ICT applications and facilitiesPromoting ICT useDeveloping local content and appropriate protection for Intellectual Property

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Elements of an Enabling Environment

•Institutional strengthening

•Capacity building

•Sector reform

•Adequate infrastructure

•Enabling policy, legislation, and regulations

Payment protocols and standards

•Market access for developing country exporters

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Role of WSIS An opportunity to kick start serious alignment of ICT sector strategies with the imperatives of the Caribbean’s development challenges

This requires active participation from governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the political declaration and the action plan place adequate emphasis on a human development perspective where the specific requirements of small and vulnerable states are taken into account

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Diplomatic Agenda

Be aware of national ICT4Dev applicationsBe a source of information on global trends and good practicesApply this knowledge to the negotiation of the Declaration and Plan of ActionConcrete follow up to WSIS 2003 at national levelPlan Ahead for Tunis 2005Commit to follow up and monitoring