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 has become increasingly difficult for government representatives in elected democracies to ignore the importance that ICT has, and will play, in their respective communities. Parliamentarians and other senior decision makers are compelled to take on an active role in the management of change within their communities, specifically where ICT is used for development.

The Asian Parliamentarians Forum has been created in conjunction with the e-Awareness Seminar Series for Asian Parliamentarians (e-ASSAP) to heighten awareness among Asian lawmakers of the role of ICT today.

Objectives

The goals of the Forum include the:

• Dissemination of relevant information to participants and other senior officials involved in Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D).
• Provision of a platform for Asian parliamentarians to share their views and experiences, and thus, make available, a single point of reference for evaluating ICT decisions
• Building of a network of Asian parliamentarians, enhancing south-south cooperation and information sharing

Information for Parliamentarians

The Asian Parliamentarians Forum also provides several other tools for parliamentarians and senior government officials to assist them in enhancing their effectiveness as ICT decision makers. These include:

• a Sourcebook developed specifically for parliamentarians, covering various aspects of ICT
• a "Policy Watch" repository that comprises ICT policy documents from countries in Asia, with regular policy updates from the respective regions
• a collection of case studies and best practices showcasing ICT4D initiatives from within the region
• links to relevant ICT4D websites

The Online Forum

This Online Forum is designed to facilitate networking and dialogue among users. Visitors are encouraged to register and share perspectives and views on ICT for development and the role of parliamentarians in promoting and implementing ICT4D policies and projects. Registered users will be able to post comments and queries to the entire network while having access to everyone else's postings.

Visit the website at http://www.eapf.net.