ICT Perspectives

Age of the Opportunity: Connecting the Generation

The publication "Age of Digital Opportunity: Connecting the Generation", by the International Council for Caring Communities (ICCC) compiles insights and perspective from multi-stakeholders who are committed to sustaining focused dialogue and inspiring creative application of ICT to address the issues and challenges facing older persons. It also features the winners of the 2005 ICT Student Design Competition organized by ICCC, which stimulated thinking among university students on innovative uses of ICT benefiting the older generation.

Connecting the Majority

The launching of the initiative "Building Opportunity for the Majority" by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), under the leadership of President Luis Alberto Moreno in June 2006, reflects the new Administration's acknowledgment of the need to reorient and strengthen the Bank's efforts towards the consolidation of a more inclusive, broad-based economic growth model focused on wealth creation and progress opportunities for the majority of the Region's population.

To this end, technology and innovation are recognized as the means to create economic opportunities for all, and accelerate the access of the majority to goods and services, while creating an inclusive process of economic growth, social development and governance. The model is based on four core areas which both, in a direct and/or cross-sectoral manners highlight the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) to, among others, contribute to increase the income potential and improve the living conditions of the poor, enhance the reach and impact of social development programs, accelerate the process of innovation, and generate new local-community services which can help in effectively tap the economic potential lying at the "bottom of the pyramid".

Within this context, the division seek to concentrate its resources, efforts and activities in effectively promoting and facilitating the deployment of ICT by the Bank's borrowing member countries, as means to contribute to a sustainable, equitable and inclusive process of social and economic development in the Region, within the new institutional strategy framework "Building Opportunity for the Majority".

Ditial Dividends - Empowering the Majority through Information and Communication Technology

IDB and INTEL formalized agreement to foster information and communication technology in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Intel Corporation (Intel) formalized an agreement that will facilitate access to the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Luis Alberto Moreno, IDB President and L. Wilton Agatstein, Intel Vice President, Channel Platforms Group, signed the agreement. The event took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City following the Steering Committee Meeting of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID). Attending the ceremony was Craig Barrett, Intel Chairman of the Board and GAID Chairman.

With the agreement, the parties seek to contribute to the development of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean through the deployment of effective ICT and connectivity solutions aimed at enhancing the region's social and economic growth. The agreement outlines the following strategic areas of common interest for the IDB and Intel, and which constitute the framework for specific projects to be jointly developed: (a) small and medium-sized enterprises development; (b) education; and (c) digital communities and connecting the majority.

The IDB contact person for this cooperation is Danilo Piaggesi, Chief, Information and Communication Technology for Development Division (SDS/ICT).

IDB and Microsoft

IDB and Microsoft formalize agreement to promote scientific and technological development in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Inter-American Development Bank and Microsoft Corporation formalized an agreement that will facilitate access to the benefits of information and communication technology(ICT) for citizens and institutions across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The agreement signed by IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno and Microsoft Senior Vice President Orlando Ayala will contribute to competitiveness and economic and social development in the region by promoting science and technology.

"The development process isn't sustainable without the private sector's contributions, a driver of investment, innovation, productivity and employment," said Moreno. "Our strategic partnerships with businesses are crucial to drive growth and employment in Latin America and the Caribbean."
"Ongoing scientific and technological innovation propels the global knowledge economy forward as new ideas create new businesses and jobs, improve business productivity and enhance human welfare," said Orlando Ayala. "Microsoft is committed to partnering with organizations like the IDB to build strong, sustainable IT infrastructure, which creates opportunities for citizens, businesses, governments and nations to become more competitive."
The agreement outlines six strategic areas of common interest for the IDB and Microsoft that constitute the framework for specific projects to be developed and announced gradually. The six strategic areas are:

Currently, specific projects are being prepared for each area. For example, in ICT security for the public sector, joint seminars with the IDB and Microsoft have already been held with government agencies in the region. A key objective in this area is to carry out a regional training program in computer security for Latin America's public sector.

Another project that was recently announced is the IDB's "Program for Youth Development for Innovation and Social Action," for which Microsoft has committed to provide technical and financial support. This program will focus on youth who are socially excluded, low-income youth in rural areas, and will concentrate on three key areas: microenterprise (business and social); information technology and communication for development, and community development and volunteerism.

In general, the purpose of the projects executed under the agreement will be joint development of innovative ideas and mechanisms, pilot projects, collaborative efforts and investments, and early identification of new challenges to development in the region to which ICT could contribute solutions and have a positive impact.

This agreement is part of and will contribute to implementation of the "Information Technology and Communication Facility for the Development," for which preparations are currently underway. The objective of this facility is to create an institutional instrument that will allow the IDB to develop public-private partnerships with leading technology firms that will help leverage financial and technical resources for technical cooperation projects in the region.

For more information contact: Danilo Piaggesi, ICT Division Chief

Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID)

On April 17, 2006, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan approved the launch of the Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Development (GAID)an open multi-stakeholder platform that will promote effective use of ICT in activities aimed at achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.The Alliance will link the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society with the broader United Nations development agenda.

The inaugural meeting of the Global Alliance took place on 19-20 June, 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was hosted by the Government of Malaysia, and organized by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and the secretariat of the Global Alliance. More the 700 participants from around the world met to launch this new initiative.

Mr. Craig Barrett, Chairman of the Board of Intel Corporation, and the first Chairman of the Alliance has stated that: "It is time to turn the spirit of UN WSIS into action. The ICT industry has an opportunity to build from its history of creativity and innovation to further contribute to economic and social development. The Global Alliance for ICT and Development has an exciting challenge to define solutions that will bring technology access, economic growth, and educational opportunity to people around the world".

Mr. Luis Alberto Moreno, President, Inter American Development Bank (IDB) will serve as a co-chair of the Steering Committee. Danilo Piaggesi, Chief, Information and Communication Technology for Development Division, IDB, participated in the meeting as Mr Moreno alternate.

Outcome of GAID Kuala Lumpur Inaugural Meeting

All the participants agreed that the time has come to translate declarations and commitments made at the WSIS into action that would indeed make a tangible and sustained difference in the lives of billions of people who currently do not share in the benefits of the information revolution. The irony of the present situation is that those who are currently with the least access to technology are precisely the ones who would benefit the most if wonders of modern information and communication technologies become indeed accessible and relevant to all of humanity. The Alliance will strive to overcome the social and digital divides by promoting policies and partnerships that can help create an "arc of digital opportunity".

The Alliance will help put the problems and needs of the majority of humanity onto the "radar screens" of thinkers, business executives and government decision-makers, supporting ICT for development activities. GAID will promote end-to-end solutions and develop programs for early harvest through multi-stakeholder cooperation.

UN met to bridge digital divide


Secretary-General Kofi Annan opened the first-ever meeting at the United Nations of the newly formed Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development (GAID) on September 27. Chairing discussion of Alliance strategic goals was Intel board chairman Craig Barrett.

Launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 19 June, the Alliance promotes action to utilize new information and communication technologies to fight poverty and promote development. In addition to Mr. Barrett, other Steering Committee members attending include Jamaludin Jarjis, Malaysia's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations Minister; Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter-American Development Bank; Walter Fust, Director-General, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; Titi Akinsanmi, Programme Manager, Global Teenager Project, South Africa; John Bernander, Secretary-General, Norwegian Broadcasting, European Broadcasting Union; Renate Bloem, President, the Committee on NGOs, Switzerland; and Guy Sebban, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce. The Steering Committee, which provides the Alliance with executive oversight and guidance, is composed of a chair, Mr. Barrett, and several co-chairs representing governments, business, civil society, the media and international organizations.

The meeting opened at 3 p.m. in Conference Room 8. Remarks by Secretary-General Kofi Annan and welcoming remarks by Under-Secretary-General José Antonio Ocampo was followed by a statement from Mr. Barrett. An interactive discussion examined the strategic goals and business plan of the Global Alliance, followed by a discussion on the Alliance's funding. "Countries concluded at the 2005 World Summit that the internationally agreed development goals will not be achieved unless we do development differentlyz", said Alliance Executive Coordinator Sarbuland Khan. "One of the ways to do that is connect the poor with the rest of the world, with the formal economy, through information technologies." ICTs can help in the areas of enterprise, education, health and government", said Mr. Khan, "allowing the poor to participate in the economy. Many developing countries have strong growth rates, but the poor are not part of the growing economy. GAID will seek to bring together the private sector and international financial institutions, such as the Inter-American Development Bank, in big partnership initiatives, such as bringing broadband to Africa", Mr. Khan said. "In countries like Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique and Ghana, mobile telephony is locally driven and demand driven", Mr. Khan said. The greatest growth of mobile phones is taking place in Africa, and women are using mobile phones to generate businesses and income. "The issue now is how to get mobile telephony to be a conveyor of information and knowledge on health and the economy. For this, you need the private sector. "The Alliance seeks to bring together key organizations involved in ICT-for-development to enhance their effectiveness; introduce ICT-for-development into the broader development agenda; create an environment and business models for investment benefiting the poor; find technological solutions for specific development goals; and foster partnerships among all those involved.

GAID operates as a decentralized network, complementing the work of existing networks and institutions. Its activities are funded by voluntary contributions.

The Global Alliance functions as a partnership and network supported by the United Nations, under the authority of the Secretary-General and the auspices of the Economic and Social Council.

For more information: Enrica Murmura, Global Alliance secretariat
Tel.: (212) 963-5913,

@LIS: Alliance for the Information Society

@LIS is a programme of the European Commission aiming to reinforce the partnership between the European Union and Latin America in the field of the Information Society. Its objectives are to establish dialogue and cooperation on policy and regulatory frameworks in key areas and to boost interconnections between research networks and communities in both regions.

Among the many events organised for the @LIS Day, 12 discussion and dissemination workshops are organised in different countries of Europe and Latin America, interconnected via the RedCLARA network, exchanging in real time their ideas, perspectives and results and promoting together the construction of an open and inclusive Information Society.

World Summit on Information Society - WSIS

What is WSIS?

The World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) is a UN-sponsored conference about information and communication. It is held in two phases: the first phase took place in Geneva, hosted by the government of Switzerland from 10 to 12 December 2003, where 175 countries adopted a Declaration of Principles and a Plan of Action . The second was hosted by the Government of Tunisia, between November 16 and 18, 2005, in Tunis, Tunisia. ( more)

WSIS and Beyond: the role of the IDB.

The Inter American Development Bank plays an important role in the Information Society and knowledge economy, integrating the effective use of ICT in promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing poverty while promoting equity.

In fact, the IDB is committed to building effective partnerships woth public, private and civil society organizations in order to ensure that the Information Society and knowledge economy contribute to a democratic process of efficient, equitable and sustainable development. The challenge is to create the enabling conditions so that everyone can benefit from opportunities that ICT can offer. Collaboration among these groups is essential to improve access to information and communication infrastructure and technologies, facilitate access to the information communication infrastructure and technologies, facilitate access to the information and build and apply knowledge; expand human and capital; increase skills for using ICT; increase security of technology, software and content; promote innovative ICT applications that have value, foster and respect cultural diversity; recognize the role of the media; address the ethical dimensions of the Information Society; and encourage international and regional cooperation.

The WSIS Plan of Action signed in the first phase of WSIS, translates the common vision of the Information Society into concrete Action Lines to advance the achievement of the Internationally-agreed development goals, including those in the Millennium Declaration. These lines are consistent with the strategies (link) adopted by the IDB, and the action plan on ICT for development currently under preparation by the Information Technology for Development Division of the Bank. Following are the WSIS action lines with a brief description of some IDB activities in each area.

C1. The role of government and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICT for development:

g) by 2005, international organization should develop their own strategies for the use of ICT for sustainable development, including sustainable production and consumption patterns and as an effective instrument to help achieve the goals expressed in the United Nations Millennium Declaration.

The Bank is preparing an Information Technology for Development Strategy, the objective of which is to improve the effectiveness of the Bank partnership with the countries in the use of ICT. The strategy will enhance the capacity to deploy ICT as means to contribute to the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the Bank's program in the Region in various priority sectors and areas. These include: (a) public sector activities such as education, healthcare and modernization or the state/governance; (b) private sector activities such as commerce and finance; and (c) activities aimed at expanding the participation by civil society organization to ensure that all citizens participate and benefit from the use of ICT.

C2. Information and communication infrastructure: an essential foundation for the Information Society:

a) Governments should take action, in the framework of national development policies, in order to support an enabling and competitive environment for the necessary investment in ICT infrastructure and for the development of new services.

b) In the context of national e-strategies, devise appropriate universal access policies and strategies, and theirs means of implementation, in line with the indicative targets, and develop ICT connectivity indicators.

The Bank has supported small communities of Latin America and the Caribbean through technical attendance and the financing of a series of events and publications to facilitate the interchange of experiences and information, allowing the development of community initiatives of local development. Promoting the creation of conditions include incentives for finding innovative solutions that facilitate access to the information in rural and urban communities. In this sense, the "telecentres" for the community development may well emerge as an efficient solution, facilitating: the creation of information with local content, the access to public government information, access to markets, the knowledge of best practices, and even direct commercial transactions between producers and consumers, (i.e. e-commerce).

d) Develop and strengthen national, regional and international broadband network infrastructure, including delivery by satellite and other systems, to help in providing the capacity to match the needs of countries and their citizens and for the delivery of new ICT-based services. Support technical, regulatory and operational studies by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and, as appropriate, other relevant international organizations.

In the field of developing regional network infrastructure, the Bank is involved in the project "CLARA", which is a computer science network that interconnects at regional level the National Academic Networks (NREN's), formed as well by Universities, institutions of investigation, and research centers of companies. The purpose of the network is to exchange information among participants, allowing the integration of new and powerful multimedia systems, to strength the shared use of instruments and computational facilities, to support the collaboration between investigators, educators and students, provide the infrastructure that allows the construction of true virtual institutions of investigation, education and innovation.

Another project in the field of regional and international broadband network expansion is the "Desarrollo de la Autopista Mesoamericana de la Informacion AMI- del Plan Puebla Panama- PPP". The objective of this project is to improve the availability and costs of the connectivity of broadband of the Mesoamericans countries among them and with the world, by means of the greater use of ICT.

C3. Access to information and knowledge

ICTs allows people, anywhere in the world, to access information and knowledge almost instantaneously. Individuals, organizations and communities should benefit from access to knowledge and information.

f. Governments should actively promote the use of ICTs as a fundamental working tool by their citizens and local authorities. In this respect, the international community and other stakeholders should support capacity building for local authorities in the widespread use of ICTs as a means of improving local governance.

An E-Government Effectiveness (eGe) Inter-Agency Task Force is being created by five International Institutions to harmonize their efforts and to improve the overall effectiveness of supporting countries' efforts to use ICT to strengthen democracy. The Inter America Development Bank is one of these institutions and the other member organizations are: the Development Gateway Foundation, the Organization of American States, the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs and the World Bank.

C4. Capacity Building

All citizens should have the necessary skills needed to benefit fully from the Information Society and knowledge Economy. Therefore, capacity building and ICT literacy are essential. Under appropriate conditions, ICTs can contribute to expanding access to quality learning environments for all citizen, improve training of theachers and improving access to professional skills and lifelong learning.

For the Inter-American Development Bank access to learnig opportunities have always be important in development. This importance is underscored as development takes place in an expanding knowledge-based global economy. The Bank has long been involved in financing of national education reforms programs as well as in exploring innovative ways to provide leargning opportunities to produce a flexible and productive labor force.

The Bank has been involved in projects of different characteristics: the creation of Information systems for the management of central authorities of education; to equip and interconnect primary or secondary schools; the training teachers in the use of new technologies and in the application of them for teaching purpose; the development of education software; the formulation of policies and revision of legal parameters, ect.

C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life

ICT applications can support sustainable development, in the fields of public administration, business, education and triaging, health, employment, environment, agriculture and science within the framework of national e-strategies. This would include actions within the following sectors:

E-government

a)In order to become more effective in assisting countries find efficient and effective e-government solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter American Development Bank, the Organization Of American States, the Development Gateway Foundation, the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs and the World Bank, are announcing their intention to create a "e-Government effectiveness Inter-Agency Task Force". The participating organizations recognize that, because of the complementarty character of theif respective support of ICY in governance is complementary, greater harmonization of their individual and collective interaction with national governments can enhance the overall effectiveness to improve public administration and strengthen democracy.

b) Develop national e-government initiatives and services, at all levels, adapted to the needs of citizens and business, to achieve a more efficient allocation of resources and public goods.

E-business

Promoting innovation and improving competitiveness of the economies in Latin Americana and Caribbean countries is a major goals of the IDB. Within this context, the Bank has make small and medium enterprise a priorit, particularly using ICT applications and services to achieve market penetration and improve cooperation within value chains. Recognizing the decisive role of ICT in the business arena, the IDB strategy involves facilitating ICT use by businesses in the region. As a result the Bank through the Information Technology for Development Division, has worked closely wing the "ICT Cluster" of the Multilateral Investment Fund in several projects. more

IDB initiative in the framework of the WSIS

SDS/EST/ICT in collaboration with the Social Office in Europe (SOE)have been promoting various Bank's initiatives in the framework of the two phases of the World Summit on Information.

Tunis, November 2005

  • Preparation of the IDB Strategy for ICT for Development;
  • Presentations of two IDB Publications: The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Building Trust in Governance: Towards Effectiveness and Results and The Knowledge Economy in Development: Perspectives for Effective Partnerships
  • Collaboration in an inter-institutional E-Government Effectiveness Inter-Agency Task Force with the World Bank, Development Gateway Foundation, United Nation Department for Economic and Social Affairs and Organization of American States.

Geneva, December 2003

  • Co-organization of the IADB/Multi-stakeholders seminar Working towards Millennium Development Goals, leveraging ICT for Good Governance and Development Effectiveness; (link to the documents related to the seminar: leveraging Ict for good governance and Development effectiveness; Paulo Paiva' speech; Danilo' speech)
  • Coordination meetings between Multilateral Development Banks and with UN Regional Economic Commissions.

IDB contributions to the United Nations ICT Task Force Series

ICT Task Force Series 6

Managing Change in the Knowledge Economy: Harmonizing Stakeholder Interests in a Democratic Process of Efficient, Equitable and Sustainable Development
Article by Piaggesi And Vitro

A chapter in Creating and Enabling Environment: Toward the Millennium Development Goals
Proceedings of the Berlin Global Forum of the United Nations ICT Task Force, April 2005, Edited by Denis Gilhooly

ICT Task Force Series 8

WSIS: Challenges and Policies Issues in latin America and the Caribbean" by Carlos M. Jarque
A chapter in "The World Summit on the Information Society: Moving from the Past into the Future" Edited by Daniel Stauffacher and Wolfgang Kleinwächter, 2005

ICT Task Force Series 9

"Harnessing the Potential of ICT in Education in latin America and the Caribbean" by Danilo Piaggesi and Juan Carlos Navarro
A chapter in "A multistakeholder Approach. Proceedings from the Dublin Global Forum of the United Nations ICT Task Force" Edited by Bonnie Bracey and Terry Culver

Challenges and Partnerships
A contribution of the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force to the Word Summit on the Information Society

ICT Publication Series

Metodología ACTTA - Una Herramienta para la Creación de Telecentros Autosostenibles para el Desarrollo Comunitario
by Guillermo Castillo

La Tecnología de la Información y Comunicación (TIC) al servicio de la sociedad
Article by Enrique V. Iglesias, Inter American Development Bank President

ICT Discussion Seires

The Knowledge Economy in Development: Towards Definition of Outcomes, Outputs and Indicators in Bank-funded Projects

This series of individual presentations by senior Bank officials and outside experts provides an opportunity to expand internal dialogue among Bank units on the implications of ICT as a horizontal tool in support of the different development activities of the Bank.

All the presentatins in the discussion series have been compiled into the following publication: The Knowledge Economy in Development: Perspectives for Effective Partnerships