UN Helps Develop Stronger Information Communications Technology

(UN/ESCAP Information Services) -- As part of the United Nations continuing effort to close the digital divide, a national “training the trainers” programme will be held in Kabul on 31 May to 3 June as a first step towards training decision makers in information communications technology (ICT).

The training is the first in a series of ICT workshops based on the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders Programme – an eight module training course designed by United Nations Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT) to give decision makers the necessary information to use ICT for development.

The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) - the core body mandated to promote and implement ICT projects - is taking the lead in rolling out the Academy in partnership with Civil Service Commission with technical support from APCICT. As a commitment to ICT capacity building, MCIT has set up 15 ICT training centers throughout the country which will be expanded to 34 by end of 2009 to provide ICT training to local governments and the public.

“In today’s information society, policymakers need to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that they provide the right environment for ICT innovations and creative use of the technologies in creating sustainable social and economic development,” remarked Hyeun Suk Rhee, Director of APCICT.

The Academy workshops are therefore targeted at high and mid-level policymakers with the aim to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills to fully leverage opportunities presented by ICTs to achieve national development goals and bridge the digital divide.

“This Academy will help the mission led by MCIT to develop ICT sector in Afghanistan and to mentor our policy makers and government decision makers understand the benefits of new ICT based social economic trends,” remarked Amirzai Sangin, Minister of Communications and IT.

This first national workshop will cover two of the eight Academy modules focusing on the linkages between ICT and the Millennium Development Goals, and on ICT for development policy, process and governance. Both these modules will be delivered by the original authors with the intention to re-train the local trainers who will lead subsequent provincial-level workshops.

“These eight [Academy] modules will really bring huge change by letting our politicians and policymakers know what ICT can do for them,” remarked Muhammad Aimal Marjan, Director General – ICT, MCIT. Local trainers at MCIT have customized the modules and added local case studies to meet training needs and increase the relevancy of the course in Afghanistan. The modules are also being translated into Dari and Pashto.

“The Civil Service Commission will adopt the modules as part of the curriculum of Civil Service Institute, which will help government officials include ICT in policy making for their relevant sector,” Remarked by Dr. Ahmad Mushahid Director General Civil Service Commission.