Transcript ecommerce: Getting Started
Internet Overview:
Internet for Development
IT for Decision Makers
By Taholo Kami for UNESCO
Mission
Improve the quality of life of the people of …….(Name of Country)
Objectives - Overall
Overview and understanding of ICT opportunities, issues and implications for (Insert Name of Country) Matching national / sectoral priorities and ICT opportunities. Identifying actions that will enable a knowledge driven society.
Objectives - Participants
All participants understand the possibilities available to them in their various roles in the information age. All participants are able to identify opportunities and issues that directly affect them and initiate actions for change.
What is the Internet?
Global Network Computers connecting people 400 million users Educated / up market but spreading quickly Implications in the Pacific Globalization Access to global information resources Extends marketing possibilities Instant communications
A Global Network
Global Online Population?
350 - 407 million - Dec 2001 USA/ Canada Europe 113m 167 m Asia / Pacific 104.8 74.6m or 71% from Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia. Africa 3.1m
Middle East 2.4m
Latin America 16.45
Source: Nua Internet Surveys
Obstacles - Access and Participation
Access Expensive Cost of Computer Internet Connectivity - $1- $8/hour for dial up connection Internet Penetration Less then 3% of population Limited to capital or key cities
Obstacles - Capacity
Awareness of Internet potential Unaware of Existence of Network / s Cost vs. Benefits unconvincing Untrained users Local IT skills are premium commodities Computer literacy still low
Internet Applications
E Commerce Tele medicine / Health Distance Education E Governance Agriculture Knowledge Networks Virtual Communities
Strategy
Infrastructure Human Capacity Building Investment Policy and Regulation
Components
Infrastructure In Developed Countries the challenge is now getting the under privileged and remote areas online Developing Countries basic Telecommunications infrastructure competes with roads, electricity, transport, education for funding. Economic returns of Telecommunications infrastructure is more difficult to quantify.
Policy and Regulation
I.T. Policy should be aimed at creating an “enabling environment” with affordable access at its core. Duty Free for IT Hardware Cost / Benefits determined Incentives for Investment in IT Sound Business Environment
Capacity Building
Developing local capacity in IT skills via education and incentives Benchmarks Training Teachers - Priority All Students at 4th Form level….
Build value into an Internet Passport scheme Pilot projects in core development priority areas Tourism, Trade, Governance
Financial Support
Financial commitment from Government and donors to strengthen key sectors for development including Telecommunications infrastructure. Identify core competency areas and fund development of information tools in these fields. Synergy will lead to IT development in other fields
E Culture
A culture of innovation and entrepreneurship must be developed Recognize impact on society and develop strategy to counter negative issues. Develop strategies for building local content and utilizing the Internet to enhance and promote culture
Conclusion
The Internet provides opportunities to new and expanded markets for the Pacific Islands. Information technology provides new development opportunities to enhance and transform national services such as governance, education, health and commerce. A concise national IT strategy will ensure scarce resources are utilized in providing necessary infrastructure and services to enable IT development in key sectors.
Ground Rules
1. Its all about People Sell Value - benefits Connect to objectives 2. Relevance Not Reverence Keep technology in perspective Vehicle for achieving our objectives
3. Keep a Borderless perspective 4. Innovate……. Break the Rules