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This move in how ICTs are treated brought about the need to look more closely at the structural challenges associated with the new central role that ICTs now occupied.
In 2000 the UN ECOSOC High Level Meeting adopted a resolution on this matter which not only became part of the Millennium Declaration but also established an advisory structure to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the UN ICT Task Force which was appointed in 2001.
In Africa, when NEPAD was adopted by our leaders in 2001 in Lusaka, the development of ICTs was identified as one of the priority programmes for accelerated implementation. NEPAD later established what is now known as the e-Africa Commission. The difference between this Commission and the ICT structures that exist currently such as the Pan African Telecommunications Union ATU is that the e-Africa Commission works not only with ministries of communication but with all ministries depending on the ICT application. This which could be governance, health, education or local content development. It is also not a coincidence that the Commission is chaired by the chairperson of the Commission of the African Union former President of Mali, Alpha Oumar Konare and it is under the Patronage of President Wade of Senegal.
At the national level the countries are also increasingly seeing the need for addressing the institutional challenges linked to the cross-sectoral role of ICTs in development. In South Africa, as Minister Asmal stated in his address, President Mbeki established a Presidential National Commission on the Information Society and Development in February 2001. At that time he also established the Presidential International Advisory Council on the Information Society and Development. This is in line with countries such as Mozambique which has a Commission chaired by the Prime Minister and Finland, Ireland, Australia, Malaysia and a few others.
What is clear is that building the Information Society is not and can no longer be a responsibility of one ministry. Such a task requires a structure with several key ministries of which education is a part.
I may be so bold as to suggest that in fact because of the central role of education in development, the ministries of education should be the natural champions in building the Information Society.
The role of teachers and the need to incentivize the teaching profession not only for those who are already in the profession but also for those youngsters who are yet to decide on their careers is central to building an information society in Africa such that we are equal and active participants in the Global Information Society.
The ITU is the oldest UN agency; it is older than the UN itself. It has done a great job in adapting to and leading the different technological developments starting with the telegraph, then the telephone, the radio, television, global broadcasting and later satellite communications. In all these developments it has maintained a pre-eminent and role establishing standards and regulations as well as assisting with policies. The ITU has however recently not been able to cope with the requirements imposed by the development of the newer technologies such as the Internet. The main reason could be that up until then the issues were mainly technical. There was no need to address issues of content as the separation between the content and the infrastructure was very clear.
The impact of the earlier technologies on people’s lives was not as evident and overwhelming as is the case today. This then brings to the fore the need for an increased and sharper role for UNESCO in matters related to building the Information Society.
The recently concluded World Summit on the Information Society that took place in Geneva last December adopted a Declaration and a Plan of Action. If you allow me, I would like to suggest that UNESCO and the ministries responsible for education and those for culture will need to play a much more significant role in the implementation and further development of these documents in preparation for the second phase of the Summit to be held in November in 2005.
The Declaration reflected for the first time, our common vision in building the Information Society. It linked the building of the Information Society to the achievement of our development goals especially the Millennium Development Goals. The Declaration also adopted the eleven key principles which have associated action lines in the Plan of Action.
Finally the Plan of Action identifies the ten objectives targeted for the year 2015.
As concluding remarks I would suggest or re-iterate the following
a) Building the Information Society is not the preserve of any one ministry but the responsibility of all.
b) In order to build the Information Society effectively and efficiently it is important to ensure that there is leadership and coordination from the highest office
c) Building the Information Society may seem expensive but not doing so will be unaffordable
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David Gomolemo Gouwe
May the Almighty be the hand that guides you and hello to you all, people of the global village!
I have acquired lots of working experience in my line of work and as an HIV/ AIDS, gender and sexuality activist. I am also a student studying towards my BA in Communication Science and LLB with the hope of becoming what life requires me to be. I want to fight questionable ethos and preserve human rights and to be an activist in critical areas of our social existence. Life experiences have made me the kind of a man I am. I foresee the best that my enemies would not understand, what I know and understand has made me a threat to most simply because of my direct nature of addressing issues as they unfold.
My advice to most young people out there is that it is never too late to change any bad habits and we are all destined for better things and please do not entertain anything evil. When it comes to work-related matters do not be scared to criticize constructively. Let your voice be heard by those who care.
Note that most will get promotions and you will be suppressed and the only thing that you can do is to not let your fears mute your voice. Most will wish that you were dead and some will send you a goon squad. Stand firm in what you believe. Be heard and emancipate others. Let your voice echo your good intentions globally. Fear no one.
You can try and e-mail me at gomolemo@thegolf.co.za . Please note that I represent people of the world, my features represent the African nation with Nigerian, South African and coloured roots. Let's talk some more and make the world realise that we are connected irrespective of our geographical barriers. I just love you all, people of the world. God Bless!
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