EFFORTS TO BRIDGE AFGHANISTAN'S DIGITAL DIVIDE GETS BOOST FROM UN

EFFORTS TO BRIDGE AFGHANISTAN'S DIGITAL DIVIDE GETS BOOST FROM UN New York, Aug 29 2008 10:10AM A new agreement between the United Nations and the Afghan Government will help boost efforts to narrow the gap between those in the South Asian nation who benefit from the use of information and communication technology (ICT) and those who do not.

The agreement marks the start of collaboration between Afghanistan's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the UN Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT), a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

UN-APCICT is tasked with strengthening the efforts of ESCAP member countries to use digital technology in their socio-economic development by building up human and institutional capacity for ICT.

Today's signing, which took place at APCICT's office in Incheon, in the Republic of Korea, also marks the first time an agreement has been made to have the Institute's training curriculum – known as the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders Programme – implemented nationally.

In partnership with national organizations, the Institute seeks to use this training to strengthen a country's capacities in the field of ICT and provide the necessary knowledge and skills to fully leverage opportunities presented by ICTs to achieve national development goals.

The Academy programme will be customized to meet the needs of Afghanistan's policymakers and government leaders.

Similar efforts are being finalized to have the programme in Mongolia and the Philippines as well as in the Pacific Island countries.
2008-08-29 00:00:00.000

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