The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) are collaborating with the Department of the Information Technology (DIT) of the Royal Government of Bhutan to organize the National Stakeholders Consultation Workshop in Thimphu, Bhutan, from 30 to 31 January 2007.
The workshop marks the first national activity of the project, “Empowering the Rural Areas through Community e-Centers (CeC)” which covers Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. The project which is being jointly implemented by UNESCAP and ADB aims to reduce poverty, empower communities and improve the quality of life in rural areas through providing communities with access to information and communication technology (ICT). CeC will provide shared facilities for the public to use basic telecommunications services, access to the Internet and various ICT applications for socio-economic activities.
Prior to the workshop, a national baseline study has been conducted. The study assessed the environment CeCs are placed, existing initiatives, good practices, challenges, key issues in establishing CeCs in Bhutan as well as recommendations for a sustainable CeC model.
Based on the findings and recommendations of the study, the workshop will discuss the details of the CeC project in Bhutan, such as selection criteria of location, content creation and application, community participation and involvement as well as sustainability mechanisms. One of the discussion points include future actions the Royal Government might consider to take after the completion of the project and how this project will be linked to their plan of establishing one CeC in each geog (block).
The workshop will be attended by all stakeholders including representatives of various ministries, district administrations, NGOs, CeC practitioners, private sector and development agencies and organized at the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Conference Hall.
source : www.unescap.org |
Login
Hardware Specification
Apply for Clearance
LACs & Networking
Dzongkha Localization wiki
Click here to download Adobe Acrobat