|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 20 October 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Sri Lanka was elected to chair the Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) at the first regional conference on preparation for the second phase of the WSIS to be held in Tunis in November, 2005. Sri Lanka's delegation to the first regional conference was led by Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Prime Minister and comprised W.B. Ganegala, Secretary Ministry of Information and Media. Mr. Weeratunga chaired the two-day EGM, which was attended by over 48 countries and a large number of international agencies. Sri Lanka was also elected as Vice Chairperson at the sub-committee on Information, Communication and Space Technology (ICST) that followed the EGM. Both these events were held at the UNESCAP headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand from October 11 to 15. The following key principles agreed on at the WSIS Geneva for an information society for all, so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities which ICTs can offer, are based on working together of all stake holders. 1. Improving access to informational and communication infrastructure, 2. Improving access to information and knowledge, 3. Capacity and confidence building, 4. Increasing security in the use of IcTS, 5. Creating an enabling environment at all levels, 6. Developing and enlarging ICT applications, 7. Fostering and respecting cultural diversities, 8. Recognising the role of media, 9. Addressing the ethical dimensions of information society, 10. Encouraging international and regional co-operation. At the regional conference in Bangkok, the Sri Lankan delegation made two presentations emphasising the progress on the ICT development in Sri Lanka and the e-Sri Lanka project. The delegation also highlighted on the need to accord priority on the following three areas, and the delegation was assured that the UNESCAP will accord high priority in their 2005-2007 work plan. 1. Empowering the population through the use of Information, Communication and Space Technology (ICST), particularly alleviation of poverty. 2. Facilitate the creating of an e-society within the member countries by providing expertise, becoming a clearing house for best practices and helping to share knowledge and skills for cost-effective practices. 3. Improving the quality of education through ICT. A steering committee comprising Secretaries of Ministries of Information and Media, Science and Technology, Post and Telecommunications and Education will be established under the chairmanship of the Secretary to the Prime Minister with the objective of expediting the implementation of recommendations made at the WSIS in Geneva in 2003. The ICT Agency will also be represented in this committee. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
