e-Awareness Seminar Series for Asian Parliamentarians (e-ASSAP)

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The project seeks to raise awareness of Members of Parliament who are responsible for making decisions on the allocation of resources, and endorsing ICT for Development initiatives.

Introduction
As developing nations begin to witness how advancements in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have begun to make considerable impact on the political, social and economic structures within their respective communities, it is becoming increasingly difficult for government representatives in elected democracies to ignore the importance that ICT has and will play in their respective communities.

Recent developments in the field of ICT require parliaments to have a deep involvement in the strategic framework, organizational structure and action plans for such endeavours taking place in their countries and constituencies. It is pertinent in Asia to mobilize stakeholders to support this strategic framework and implement local, national and regional ICT for Development (ICT4D) initiatives.

To assist the various countries to succeed in their respective ICT4D, an e-Awareness Seminar Series for Asian Parliamentarians (e-ASSAP) is planned. It is aimed at sensitizing parliamentarians who are responsible for debating development priorities and making decisions on the allocation of resources.

This series of seminars will also act as a platform and opportunity for Asian parliamentarians to discuss and share their knowledge and experience in the various ICT4D initiatives. The seminar series would also provide the organizers with an opportunity to identify strong advocates of " ICT and gender empowerment " among the participants.

The main objective of the workshop is to equip participants with key skills required to evaluate and monitor ICT initiatives. Participants will learn how to analyze the objectives of ICT4D programmes and to determine the appropriate components, stakeholders, and eventual outcomes. Through presentations, case studies, and discussions with government representatives and international agencies, participants will posses the necessary knowledge and awareness to develop, monitor, and encourage ICT4D initiatives.

Objectives

-	Identify ICT4D champions within Asian parliaments (and governments).
-	Sensitize high-level Asian parliamentarians on the use of information and communication technologies for the development and transformation of their constituencies and country;
-	Learn about the approach taken by UNDP, Global Knowledge Partnership, and others in the international community to ICT4D
-	Highlight critical policy issues that affect the formulation and implementation of ICT policies and strategies, including policy options;
-	Share lessons learnt and best practices from across Asia, Europe and North America that could be adapted and applied to situations in participating countries;
-	Provide Asian nations with sub-regional and regional contexts for inter-country cooperation on issues relating to ICT for development.
-	Identify the possibilities and roles of various levels of government to participate and benefit in the ICT revolution.
-	Highlight gender issues.

Target Beneficiaries and Selection
Parliamentarians from about 20 Asian countries will participate in one of three proposed seminars in this initial e-Awareness Seminar Series for Asian Parliamentarians. Strong efforts will be undertaken to ensure a good representation of female parliamentarians.

Venue and Dates
e-ASSAP will consist of a total of three seminars held back-to-back in three different locations in the Asian region

Seminar I - New Delhi, India
· This seminar will focus on Indian parliamentarians.

Seminar II - Colombo, Sri Lanka
· The seminar will focus on South Asia countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and will also include Afghanistan.

Seminar III - Hanoi, Vietnam
· The seminar will focus on ASEAN member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and include China and South Korea.

Ancillary Support
e-ASSAP Online Resource Centre for Asian Parliamentarians All course materials, presentations, papers, reports, proceedings, and questionnaires will be placed in an on-line Resource Centre to be developed, hosted and maintained by APDIP-UNDP. The Online Resource Centre for Asian Parliamentarians, will also aim to provide regular policy updates to participating and other parliamentarians on developments in the respective region.

Source Book for Asian Parliamentarians
A handbook on key Asian ICT4D issues will be produced. This handbook will serve as a guide to e-policies; ICT4D initiatives, and networks in the region. A clear understanding of the ever-changing technology and the opportunities that these offer in bridging the digital divide is becoming increasingly critical for Asian parliamentarians and as such, this handbook seeks to address this timely need and provide examples of " best practices " in ICT4D in the region.

Partner: Global Knowledge Partnerships

Funding Body: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

For more information, please contact:

Phet Sayo
Programme Specialist for Building Capacities and Partnerships
Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme
Tel: +603 2091-5172
Fax: +603 2093-9740
Email: phet@apdip.net

Last modified 2005-06-21 02:40 PM