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:: Engineers meet on the Information Society |
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ECA Press Release
The World Federation of Engineering Organizations Committee on Information and Communication will deliberate their contributions to the Information Society during the World Congress on the Digital Divide (WCCD), which is scheduled to take place from 14-16 October 2003, in Tunisia's capital, Tunis.
Held in preparation for the World Summit on the Information Society, the Congress aims to discuss specific ways in which scientists and engineers can adapt technological innovations and Research and Development (R&D) to solve the needs of society.
It is the opinion of the engineers attending the meeting that bridging the digital gap between developed and developing countries is not negotiable and that science and technology are tools to serve the needs of humanity. Key among their concerns is that “technologies must not be guided solely by lucrative interests and profit”.
In support of the Congress, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is represented by a delegation, led by Ms Karima Bounemra Ben Soltane, Director of Development Information Services Division (DISD). Ms. Ben Soltane concurs with the spirit of the Congress and says that “engineers have a major role to play in demystifying complex technical issues and are well placed to articulate the relationship between the technicalities and the social and economic benefit of information and communication technologies.”
ECA’s participation at the Congress is in line with its mandate of engaging African stakeholders in the fight to bridge the digital gap, as stipulated in the African Information Society Initiative (AISI).
In addition to engaging the Congress on inter-linkages between technology and policy, ECA will hold a strategy meeting with members of the Partnership for Information and Communication Technologies for Africa (PICTA), to reflect on achievements to-date and formulate proposals for joint activities. ECA serves as the secretariat for PICTA, and among the issues on the table are involvement in initiatives, such as the ICT cluster of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and participation in the WSIS process. The meeting will be carried out in a creative and dynamic process using open source technologies to maximize interactivity.
For more information on the meeting
http://www.wfeo-cic.org/
Contact Aida Opoku Mensah Email: aopoku-mensah@uneca.org for questions on ECA participation and PICTA –related information.
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