Dear Colleagues, We are one year after WSIS, which means that we should start to see how agencies -international, multi- and bilateral -- begin integrating in their planning the high-level commitments of WSIS -- see especially items 100 and 101 from the Tunis Agenda below.
In Nicaragua we launched a series of activities with the local representatives of ODA (Official Development Assistance) all pointing to two very simple questions: 1) How will your agency implement at the local (i.e., Nicaragua) level the commitments of WSIS, specifically the above cited items? 2) What are your intentions or plans with respect to local (!) transverse coordination -- between and amongst agencies and local stakeholders -- to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in ICT4D-measures? The result: 1) Most of the local representatives weren't even aware of the WSIS results, arguing among other things that they hadn't received any orientation from their respective HQ (Finland was the only exception, while the local UN-system reacted as if there had never been a WSIS). 2) While inter-agency coordination is already a more or less established practice with respect to thematic areas - like education, health, public-administration, SMEs, etc. - they don't feel any urgent need for transverse coordination with respect to ICT. Therefore I would like to know: What are your experiences on the local level regarding the implementation of WSIS-commitments? Is it like in Nicaragua: ODA as usual or have you noticed any changes? Yours, Cornelio Liaison Office for the National WSIS follow-up mechanism in Nicaragua -------------------------------------- the Items from the Tunis Agenda 100. At the national level, based on the WSIS outcomes, we encourage governments, with the participation of all stakeholders and bearing in mind the importance of an enabling environment, to set up a national implementation mechanism, in which: a) National e-strategies, where appropriate, should be an integral part of national development plans, including Poverty Reduction Strategies, aiming to contribute to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. b) ICTs should be fully mainstreamed into strategies for Official Development Assistance (ODA) through more effective information-sharing and coordination among development partners, and through analysis and sharing of best practices and lessons learned from experience with ICT for development programmes. c) Existing bilateral and multilateral technical assistance programmes, including those under the UN Development Assistance Framework, should be used whenever appropriate to assist governments in their implementation efforts at the national level. d) Common Country Assessment reports should contain a component on ICT for development. 101. At the regional level: a) Upon request from governments, regional intergovernmental organizations in collaboration with other stakeholders should carry out WSIS implementation activities, exchanging information and best practices at the regional level, as well as facilitating policy debate on the use of ICT for development, with a focus on attaining the internationally agreed development goals and objectives, including the Millennium Development Goals. b) UN Regional Commissions, based on request of Member States and within approved budgetary resources, may organize regional WSIS follow-up activities in collaboration with regional and sub-regional organizations, with appropriate frequency, as well as assisting Member States with technical and relevant information for the development of regional strategies and the implementation of the outcomes of regional conferences. c) We consider a multi-stakeholder approach and the participation in regional WSIS implementation activities by the private sector, civil society, and the United Nations and other international organizations to be essential. ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
