Experts to
unpack the value of Information as an Economic Resource
By Mercy Wambui, Communication Officer, ECA
22 April 2005
The fourth meeting of the Committee on Development Information (CODI) will take place on 23-28 April 2005 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The theme, "Information as an economic resource" is a timely one for Africa as it grapples with the impact of rapid globalization and the emerging new global economic order, whose information and knowledge products are as critical as raw materials.
"Information is now a critical factor of production for goods and services, just as natural resources, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship", says Ms. Aida Opoku-Mensah, Officer-in-Charge of the Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA) Development Information Services Division (DISD), which is organizing the meeting. She notes "The increasing pervasiveness of information in the economic realm, be it in the form of statistics/data, ICT/GIS applications has led to what many now term the information-based economy - or simply, the information or digital economy."
CODI is one of the seven subsidiary bodies of the ECA, established in 1997 by the twenty-third meeting of the Conference of African Ministers responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning. As a subsidiary body of the Commission, CODI provides policy and technical guidance for ECA?s work in "harnessing information for development".
Held every two years, CODI is traditionally structured around 3 subcommittees that address selected themes around Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), including the role of Libraries; Geoinformation and Statistics. The last CODI meeting was held in 2002 on the theme "Information and Governance".
CODI-IV will look at the economic value of libraries, geoinformation and statistics, which have market potentials and opportunities, especially in the area of transport, energy and construction. For instance, geoinformation can enhance income generation to governments and provide employment opportunities. Statistical data and information assist individuals, businesses and government in making informed decisions based on analyzed and accurate information.
With the recognized role played by ECA in supporting member States in the three areas, and in particular, its focus on implementing the Africa Information Society Initiative (AISI) in the last 10 years, I see CODI-IV as a critical factor in raising the role ICTs play in development to another level, says ECA's Executive Secretary, Mr. K.Y Amoako.
He also adds that the theme is key to redefining DISD's mission statement, in terms of mainstreaming ICTs in other areas of ECA's work, such as in gender issues, poverty reduction and overall economic development.
CODI-IV will take stock, and appraise the implementation of its work programme in the context of economic growth for African countries.
CODI-IV expects to focus on three key issues:
Developing a framework for more in depth analysis of the role and impact of information as an economic resource in African economies;
Information deficiencies and gaps and defining strategies for reducing this gap, including an assessment of current reforms in the information and communication sectors; and
Defining or revising the information policy framework to shape the impact of information in economic growth, productivity, employment and business.
Major actors and opinion-makers from private sector, civil society and governments have been invited to make contributions on their areas of expertise.