[A12n-forum] FW: [PAF] Regional forums aim to boost technology know-how in Africa

["Don Osborn" <dzo@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

FYI (fwd from H-West-Africa)...


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Ceci est un communiqué de presse

Regional forums aim to boost technology know-how in Africa

ECA Press Release No. 12/2007

Addis Ababa, 6 June (ECA) - The first regional best practices forum on the
use of information and communication technology (ICT) kicks off in
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 7 June to encourage interaction among users
and providers.

The two-day meeting has been jointly organized by the Burkina Faso
government, Economic Commission for Africa, the African Development Bank and
Microsoft. In ECA's case, the forum is part of implementing the African
Information Society Initiative (AISI). It will enable governments, donors,
institutions and other interested groups from west and central Africa to
share their own best practices.

According to a recent European Union forum, if all the IT innovations from
the various African countries were integrated into one single country
(fictionally called 'Africana'), it would be the 12 th most technologically
advanced nation in the world. This shows that African countries have a lot
to learn from each other, as well as globally.

The level of interest in technology solutions to critical development
challenges in Africa is high. By providing a forum to exchange experiences
and demonstrate practical successes, it is hoped that practitioners will
create a roadmap for the future to boost the effectiveness of public sector
institutions. It will also allow for successful technology solutions to be
more easily replicated throughout the region, particularly given the
shortage of skills.

Microsoft, together with its organizing partners, will produce a "best
practices" website exclusive to the Africa region to highlight issues
discussed at the forums, as well as other ICT4D best practices.

The forum will be replicated in east and southern Africa over a one-year
period.

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