Este trabajo de "The Drum Beat" tiene toda su relevancia
en este espacio aunque sólo aparece Trinidad y Jamaica
de nuestra región.

>Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:25:31 -0700
>Subject: The Drum Beat - 370 - ICT National Policies & Case Studies From:
The Drum Beat <drumbeat@comminit.com>
>
>The Drum Beat - Issue 370 - ICT National Policies & Case Studies
>October 23 2006
>
>from The Communication Initiative...global forces...local
>choices...critical voices...telling stories...
>
>Subscribe to The Drum Beat:
http://www.comminit.com/subscribe_drumbeat.html Access this issue online
at http://www.comminit.com/drum_beat_370.html ***
>Information and Communication Technology (ICT) National Policies & Case
Studies
>
>As part of a project in support of the International Institute for
Communication and Development (IICD), one of The Communication Initiative
 (The CI)'s partners, The CI recently carried out research to identify
national ICT policies and case studies from around the world. This
project has thus far resulted in the summary inclusion of 25 policies
and 24 case studies within a special section on The CI website - see
>http://www.comminit.com/ict.html Additional policies are currently being
researched and will be added in the future. The case studies attempt to
demonstrate development impact and lessons learned on the practical
implementation of ICT for development (ICT4D), with a particular focus on
 3 sectors: agriculture, education, and health.
>
>This issue of The Drum Beat features a small selection of those national
policies and case studies.
>
>For more information on the International Institute for Communication and
 Development (IICD), please see
>http://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?r=http://www.iicd.org/ or contact
Frans Neuman fneuman@iicd.org
>
>
>***
>
>
>A SELECTION OF POLICIES
>See http://www.comminit.com/ict.html#ictnationalpolicies for the full
listing.
>
>
>1. Afghanistan ICT4D National Policy (2003)
>Sectors Covered: Economy, Education, Government, Health, and
Infrastructure. This policy focuses on addressing information and
capacity building issues. The overall objective of the policy is to
enable Afghanistan to further benefit from ICT by becoming part of the
global information society while preserving Afghanistan's cultural
heritage, promoting national goals, achieving a tolerant and vibrant
Afghanistan, improving government and social services, advancing the
rebuilding process, increasing employment, creating a dynamic private
sector, reducing poverty, and supporting underprivileged groups. The
other specific objectives of the policy include extensively adopting ICT
in order to improve all aspects of Afghan life, such as education,
health, employment and access to information; cultivating the local ICT
industry in order to foster investment and employment generation in this
sector; and utilising ICT to increase government efficiency and
effective delivery of improved social services.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-3.html
>
>
>2. Bhutan ICT4D National Policy (2004)
>Sectors Covered: Policy, Infrastructure, Human Resources, Content and
Applications, and Economy.
>The development of the Bhutan Information and Communication Technology
Policy and Strategy (BIPS) involved multiple stakeholders and resulted in
 the formation of 5 committees - policy, human capacity, infrastructure,
enterprise, and content and applications - responsible for developing
strategies and activities to advance Bhutan's integration of ICT. The
BIPS has 3 overarching policy objectives: the use of ICT for the
purposes of good governance; the creation of an info-culture in Bhutan;
and the development of a "High-Tech Habitat". The guiding principles to
achieving these objectives are strong government leadership, convergence
of ICT markets and technologies, and a strong public-private
partnership. http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-5.html
>
>
>3. Botswana ICT4D National Policy [Draft] (2005)
>Sectors Covered: Agriculture, Civil Society, Economy, Education,
Government, Health, Law, and Infrastructure.
>This policy was developed over a 6-month period in 2004 through the
direction of a national steering committee and 7 task forces established
to address the following areas: Community Access and Development,
Government, Learning, Health, Economic Development and Growth of the ICT
Sector, Infrastructure and Security, and Legal and Policy. The policy is
meant to build an enabling environment for the growth of the country's
ICT industry, providing universal service and nationwide access to
information and communication facilities, and positioning Botswana as a
global competitor. It also aims to provide an efficient and
cost-effective ICT infrastructure, establish universal access to local
and relevant information, institute an ICT legal framework, and enhance
government services and health care through the use of ICTs.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-6.html
>
>
>4. Cambodia ICT4D National Education Policy (2005)
>This policy document was developed in keeping with Cambodia's "Education
for All" vision of ensuring all citizens equal access to basic quality
education, and to prepare them to participate actively in Cambodia's
reconstruction and integration into the knowledge-based global community.
 The policy was developed in consultation with national and international
 partners and places emphasis on the role of ICT in distance education,
the training of professionals, non-formal education, and the quality of
education at the upper-secondary and post-secondary levels, in
recognition of the importance of ICT skills in a knowledge-based
society.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-20.html
>
>
>5. Gambia ICT4D National Policy (2004)
>Sectors Covered: Agriculture, Civil Society, Economy, Education,
Government, Health, Law, and Infrastructure.
>Based on a 2003 ICT assessment, this policy and plan development process
in the Gambia was designed to address the areas where ICT would
facilitate the transformation of the Gambia into a middle-income country
by 2020 through accelerating private sector development, restructuring
economic management, developing the human capital base, and
institutionalising decentralised and democratic participatory government
structures, processes and systems. It was also designed to address the
following 4 strategic issues: strengthening the productive capacity of
the
>economically poor; enhancing access to and the performance of social
services; undertaking local-level capacity building; and promoting
participatory communication processes.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-9.html
>
>
>6. Jamaica ICT4D Agricultural Policy (2005)
>Central to Jamaica's economy, the country's agricultural sector employed
approximately 19% of its labour force and accounted for more than
one-tenth of its merchandise exports in 2004. The sector currently faces
the challenge of improving upon its efficiency, competitiveness, and
productivity in order to be able to contribute as planned to the gross
domestic product (GDP). Exacerbating these challenges is the use of
inappropriate technologies, an issue the Ministry of Agriculture hopes to
 address through a sector transformation programme that includes the
adoption of appropriate technologies. Technology transfer and research is
 among the 5 major strategic platforms the Ministry of Agriculture plans
to leverage in order to improve upon the sector's competitiveness and
efficiency, and thereby increase its contribution to Jamaica's economic
growth. http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-18.html
>
>
>***
>
>
>Global Survey on E-Agriculture
>http://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?r=http://www.fao.org/rdd/eagsurvey
>
>The impact that ICTs can have on sustainable development, and in
particular, agriculture, has been highlighted through the World Summit on
 the Information Society (WSIS) and other global platforms. The
realisation of the effective application of e-agriculture has become a
major priority for the international community. The Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) was given the responsibility for facilitation of the
Action Line on e-agriculture in the WSIS Plan of Action, and the first
major activity is the development of a worldwide survey.
>
>FAO requests your input - your views, ideas and experiences - to help
better define the role that digital technologies can have in improving
information exchange and communication related to agriculture. Deadline:
October 31 2006.
>
>Please participate at
>http://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?r=http://www.fao.org/rdd/eagsurvey
>
>
>***
>
>
>7. Kenya ICT4D National Policy (2006)
>Sectors Covered: Economy, Government, Health, and Education.
>Based on the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
Model, this policy aims to encourage sustained economic growth and
poverty reduction, promote social justice and equity, mainstream gender
in national development, empower youth and disadvantaged groups,
stimulate investment and innovation in ICT, and achieve universal
access. In general, this policy addresses market structure, policy
objectives and targets, implementation strategies, universal access, and
the
>institutional framework of information technology (IT), broadcasting,
telecommunications, radio frequency spectrum, and postal services.
http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-10.html
>
>
>8. Mongolia ICT4D National Strategy (2006)
>Sectors Covered: Government, Economy, Industry, Education, Citizen
Services, and Health.
>This policy aims to develop Mongolia into an information and
>knowledge-based society through the integration of ICT into all societal
sectors. The government's Information and Communication Technology
Authority (ICTA), formed in late 2004, is responsible for the country's
ICT policies and their coordination and implementation; the
>non-governmental organisation Mongolian Information Development
>Association (MIDAS), made up of ICT professionals drawn from civil
society in Sri Lanka, consults with government on ICT policies and
issues and assists with the implementation of ICT programmes.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-11.html
>
>
>9. Qatar ICT4D National Policy (2005)
>Sectors Covered: Civil Society, Economy, Education, Government, Health,
Human Resource Development, Law, and Infrastructure.
>ictQATAR was formed by royal decree in 2004 to be both a regulator and
enabler of Qatar's ICT sector. The development of this policy was
influenced by relevant international best practices and a comprehensive
campaign to engage and dialogue with stakeholders in the public and
private sector. The policy consists of 12 development programmes,
including State-of-the-Art Infrastructure, Innovation and Capability
Building, Regulatory and Legal Framework, Safety and Security, Connected
Citizens, Connected Business, Connected Government, e-Education,
e-Health, e-Finance, e-Tourism and Sports, and ICT in other Economic
Sectors. http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-14.html
>
>
>10. Trinidad and Tobago ICT4D National Policy (2003)
>Sectors Covered: Human Resources, Economy, Government, Legal, and
Infrastructure.
>This national strategy seeks to leverage ICT to expedite Trinidad and
Tobago's social, cultural, and economic development. The policy lays out
an action plan for achievement of its objectives by 2008; these
objectives include: ensuring citizens have access to affordable
internet;
>prioritising child and adult skills development in ICT; promoting citizen
 access and confidence by focusing on good governance; and maximising
citizen potential and innovation to create a knowledge-based society.
http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-17.html
>
>
>11. Yemen ICT4D Sectoral Policy - Education (2005)
>This policy was developed through a participatory approach that involved
gathering the input of stakeholders from various disciplines of Yemeni
universities, high-level representatives of the Ministry of Higher
Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), and representatives from the
private ICT sector during a conference held in Aden in April of 2004. The
 policy vision is to utilise ICT in the higher education sector in order
to strengthen its contribution to the sustainable development of the
country. http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictpolicies/ictpolicies-23.html
>
>
>A SELECTION OF CASE STUDIES
>See http://www.comminit.com/ict.html#ictcasestudies for the full listing.
>
>
>12. Health and ICT Case Study (2003) - Peru
>Alerta Disease Surveillance pilot project
>Voxiva, a social venture, has developed a technology platform called
Alerta that is able to collect and disseminate data from a large number
of people in disparate locations, without internet access, in real time.
This platform includes a simplified reporting information transferal
system and health information database, and a user-friendly audio
interface that enables Alerta users to submit health reports via
telephone. The pilot system connected approximately 204,000 individuals
in 2 areas of low population density, and incorporated 76 health
centres, health clinics, and district centres. Near the pilot project's
end, a survey indicated that 90% of respondents using the system saw the
faster response time of supervisors as a main benefit of the system,
while 70% stated that greater communication with supervisors and
colleagues was a primary benefit. Fifty percent stated that reporting
was facilitated, while 40% believed that a greater number of cases were
reported, and 40%!
> stated time-savings over the paper-based system. A number of lessons
> learned were noted in this study as well.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictcasestudies/ictcasestudies-13.html
>
>
>13. Education and ICT Case Study (2005) - Yemen
>The Yemeni High School Internet Pilot Project
>This project involved creating a learning network between high schools
throughout Yemen and connecting them with high schools in the United
States. The primary objectives for the project are to: improve teachers'
ability to facilitate student-centred lessons through ICT; improve
students' learning, especially that of girls, by helping them access
information through the use of the internet for research; assess the
potential of the internet to serve as a teaching and learning tool at the
 high school level; and create professional development networks for
Yemeni educators, especially female teachers and students with limited
mobility. Key to the success of this project was the opening of the
computer labs to the community, which expanded the reach of the project
and increased cost effectiveness.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictcasestudies/ictcasestudies-23.html
>
>
>14. Agriculture and ICT Case Study (2003) - China
>How to Avoid Stumbling in the Last Kilometer: The Case of Quzhou
Agricultural Technology 110
>This project utilised a 24-hour telephone hotline giving farmers
information on agricultural technologies and market conditions, as well
as an administrative system and a network of information centres.
Launched in 1998, by 2001 the seemingly successful project began to show
signs of failing due to farmer's distances from local centres and local
centres' lack of technical equipment, training, and financial stability.
In recognition of the limited use of computers in rural areas, radio
stations, newspapers, and television stations worked to broaden the flow
of agricultural information. An NJ 110 service station was established in
 each village, with defined standards designed to keep it operational and
 accessible to farmers and an "Information Man" who is appointed to
manage the station. Professionals and volunteers are dispatched by the
local government to visit the villages, carrying out computer
demonstrations and tutorials in farmers' yards. NJ 110 associations have
also b!
>een developed in an attempt to organise farmers and to provide a forum
for the exchange of ideas. As a result of NJ 110's effectiveness, the
agricultural information model has been extended throughout the Zheijiang
 province with the support of the provincial government.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictcasestudies/ictcasestudies-6.html
>
>
>15. Women's Development and ICT Case Study (2005) - Sierra Leone
Reuters Digital Vision Fellowship
>Development Through Radio: A Case Study from Sierra Leone
>In collaboration with the Forum for African Media Women (FAMW), The Forum
 of Conscience (FOC) set out to establish a Development Through Radio
Project (DTRP) in Sierra Leone that would provide a channel through which
 women could voice their views on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
 process and bring gender issues to the fore. After a feasibility study,
in-depth consultations with selected communities and a
>training-of-trainers workshop, FAMW and FOC agreed to use the DTRP to
encourage communities to undertake projects that promote sustainable
development. As of this study, the DTRP in Sierra Leone is currently
active in 30 communities in the North, South, and Eastern Provinces. By
having a voice on the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS),
>participants have been assisted in implementing a number of initiatives
including: market centres, training and sensitisation on health concerns,
 discussions on human rights issues, a skills enhancement programme,
marketing effo!
>rts for products, and adult literacy programmes. Several lessons learned
are noted.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictcasestudies/ictcasestudies-17.html
>
>
>***
>
>
>Please participate in a related Pulse Poll!
>http://www.comminit.com/pulse.html
>
>Understanding the information and communication needs of people living in
 economic poverty is vital for development progress.
>
>Do you agree or disagree?
>
>[For context, please see The Drum Beat #367]
>
>VOTE and COMMENT! - http://www.comminit.com/pulse.html
>
>
>***
>
>
>16. Rural Development and ICT Case Study (2005) - Solomon Islands
Impact of ICT on Rural Development in Solomon Islands: the PFnet (People
First Network) Case
>This community-based project was implemented to improve the flow of
information to rural people and peacekeepers in remote communities
throughout the Solomon Islands. Through PFnet, individuals are able to go
 to their nearest email station and, for a fee of $S2.00 (or $US 0.26),
send an email message. Receiving messages is free, largely to encourage
large numbers of people to use the service. Operators at each email
station type and send (for $S5.00 or $US 0.65 per page) messages
handwritten or dictated by the customer. Literacy is therefore not a
deterrent to the use of these email stations. The PFnet service has aided
 regional efforts toward peace building, security, and political
>reconciliation by facilitating the relaying of accurate news and reducing
 the incidences of false information being accepted as fact. Physical
proximity to an email station was a key factor in people using them.
http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictcasestudies/ictcasestudies-18.html
>
>
>17. Women's Development and ICT Case Study (2003) - Kenya
>Gender and ICTs
>Strengthening Electronic Communications Capacities of Women's
>Organisations in Africa
>The primary objectives of this project are to improve African women's use
 of and access to the internet, as well as to influence policy makers in
order to ensure the inclusion of gender perspectives in the ICT policy
making process. Through training workshops and seminars, the project
developed a strong and focused core group of women across Africa that has
 helped to accomplish the project objectives. Among the outcomes of this
project: some women's groups who have undergone training have become
self-sufficient due to the income generated through the application of
their IT skills; an African women's information network has been
established; and gender-sensitive ICT guides for African women's
organisations have been produced.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictcasestudies/ictcasestudies-12.html
>
>
>18. Rural Development and ICT Case Study (2003) - India
>Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), Dehra Dun, India
>RLEK has, under the banner of this initiative, implemented the use of a
wireless communication system in the relaying of information between
isolated tribal communities. According to this case study, forest
practices that are community-based and community-managed often fare
better and are more sustainable than those models that are formulated
and controlled by the state. In this project, the community was supplied
with approximately 80 wireless telephone handsets. Wireless users have
reported an ease of operation and a strong sense of empowerment in their
>maintenance of their forest community. Members who have used the sets
expressed satisfaction with being able to quickly and easily communicate
with others. Being able to report poaching, illegal cutting, fires and
medical emergencies has given a sense of security, confidence, and
authority to the community.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictcasestudies/ictcasestudies-5.html
>
>
>19. Health and ICT Case Study (2003) - South Africa
>The Compliance Services TB Treatment through Short Message Service (SMS)
The primary objective of this project is to alert Tuberculosis (TB)
patients to take their medication through the use of SMS, therefore
increasing recovery rates of patients and lessening the financial and
physical burden on the public healthcare system in Cape Town, South
Africa. According to this study, the project implementer uses low-cost
and robust technology, such as an open source software operating system,
web server, mail transport agent, applications, and a database to send
personalised messages every half an hour to TB patients, whose contact
details have been inputted into a central database, to remind them to
take their medication. He charges the local health authority R11.80 per
patient per month to run the SMS reminder service. The success rate of
the pilot project was nearly 100%.
>http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictcasestudies/ictcasestudies-19.html
>
>
>20. Agriculture and ICT Case Study (2005) - Russia
>Agricultural Reform Implementation Support (ARIS) Project
>Rural Information and Knowledge System - A Case Study from Russia The
ARIS project was initiated in 1994 to address such issues as the
macroeconomic imbalances in Russia, outdated farm structures, and lack of
 competitive international markets or a well-functioning credit system.
The author notes that the legacy of state-controlled information systems
- as well as the problems of the lack of access to markets and technical
 information and the lack of awareness by those engaged in agriculture of
 how to function in a market economy - were also particular challenges to
 the goal of modernising the Russian agricultural sector. The main
objective of the project was to facilitate the free flow of information
and knowledge to improve the decision-making capabilities of different
types of emerging public and private rural enterprises. The approach
taken to achieve this was a modular "Four M" concept: Multi-media to
develop and disseminate Multi-disciplinary information and knowledge
from Multiple sources to Multiple users with built-in user needs as!
>sessment and feedback mechanisms. Several lessons learned are noted.
http://www.comminit.com/ict/ictcasestudies/ictcasestudies-14.html
>
>
>***
>
>
>For more information on the International Institute for Communication and
 Development (IICD), please see
>http://www.comminit.com/redirect.cgi?r=http://www.iicd.org/ or contact
Frans Neuman fneuman@iicd.org
>
>
>***
>
>The research for this project was conducted for The Communication
Initiative by Jennifer Savidge.
>
>***
>
>
>The Drum Beat is the email and web network of The Communication
Initiative Partnership - ANDI, BBC World Service Trust, Bernard van Leer
Foundation, Calandria, CFSC Consortium, The Change Project, CIDA, DFID,
FAO, Fundación Nuevo Periodismo Iberoamericano, Ford Foundation,
Healthlink Worldwide, Inter-American Development Bank, International
Institute for Communication and Development, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg
School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs, MISA, PAHO,
The Panos Institute, The Rockefeller Foundation, SAfAIDS, Sesame
Workshop, Soul City, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation,
UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, WHO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
>
>Chair of the Partners Group: Garth Japhet, Soul City
garthj@soulcity.org.za Executive Director: Warren Feek wfeek@comminit.com
>
>
>***
>
>
>The Drum Beat seeks to cover the full range of communication for
development activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement
or support by The Partners.
>
>
>Please send material for The Drum Beat to the Editor - Deborah Heimann
dheimann@comminit.com
>
>
>To reproduce any portion of The Drum Beat, see
>http://www.comminit.com/help.html#copyright for our policy.
>
>
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Nearby Mon Oct 23 19:49:04 2006