Skip to content.

You are here: Home » Projects » Other Seminars » APDIP Training Curricula » IT for Sustainable Human Development
 

IT for Sustainable Human Development

Document Actions

PREAMBLE

The high importance given to the implementation of Information Technology (IT) and the Internet by the majority of our counterparts in member countries, has prompted APDIP to develop a special IT curriculum tailored to non technical Officials with basic or no computer experience.

The seminars will provide participants with an introduction to the benefits of IT (Information Technology) in support of a wide range of development activities. Specifically the Seminars will offer insights on IT at three distinct levels: within the organisation (Intranet), within the country (CountryNet) and internationally (Internet).

The Seminars’ format and content is tailored to non-technical participants who have manifested a strong interest in learning how IT can be implemented in their countries and organisations. Ideally these individuals should currently be in a position to actively promote the development of organisational, national and international IT systems and policies.

The Seminars offer a variety of examples, practical sessions and supporting materials. The delivery will include guest speakers, lectures, and tutorials, while actively participating through the guided and friendly use of provided computers.

The Seminars schedule will allow opportunities for discussion and Q&A sessions. Such interactions will provide a forum for exploring relevant issues and resolving concerns regarding the actual implementation of IT initiatives. At the end of each seminar, a session will be dedicated to the assistance APDIP and other UN programmes can provide. A final sitting on the formulation of IT concept proposals will attempt to define country/organisation needs, while the APDIP team will assist in determining the different co-funding possibilities based on the type of proposals identified.

The following sections outline the logistical arrangements, participation guidelines and the Seminars training contents.

 

SEMINAR OUTLINE

This outline is subject to change

DAY ONE

SESSION 1: Introduction

OBJECTIVES: This session will introduce the primary aim and main focus of the seminar and provide a summary outline of all subsequent seminar sessions.

CONTENT
  1. Introduction by the APDIP Coordinator;
  2. Welcome Speech by invited Guest Speaker prominent in the field of IT implementation;
  3. Self-introduction of the participants. Short outline on their own perception of IT, expectations about the seminar and the use of IT;
  4. Presentation of APDIP and its mandate;
  5. General Introduction to IT Seminar. Overview of seminar content and introduction to the classroom system.

DELIVERY
  1. Lecture with electronic presentation;
  2. Q & A session.

LUNCH BREAK

SESSION 2: IT and development, an overview

OBJECTIVES: This session offers an overview of IT for development and related issues.

CONTENT

  1. Technical overview of current IT tools for the non-technical government or programme officer, definitions;
  2. The three layers of information, local, national, global, transport and content;
  3. Capacity building in the field of IT, strategic areas;
  4. Globalisation and IT-related opportunities; Examples, practicum;
  5. Overlay of IT components onto existing development activities: databases, their interface and field data collection;
  6. Development data networks and their implication in project management and monitoring, data acquisition and distribution. Examples, practicum;
  7. Financial implication in implementation, management and maintenance of IT-related projects.

 

DELIVERY

    On-screen presentation

    Electronic classroom

    On-line Internet browser and live exercises

END OF DAY ONE

 

DAY TWO

SESSION 3: Information and Communication within an Organisation - INTRANET

OBJECTIVES: This session will demonstrate advantages and efficiency gains resulting from the use of IT inside an organisation. Participants will learn about the overall concept of an Intranet. Document management, distributed database and search concept will also be explained. This session will further enhance computer-based manipulation and interaction ability of the participants.

CONTENT

1) Introduction to Intranet – distribution of information across the organisation;

2) Search Engines – efficient information retrieval;

3) Intranet and its advantages:

a) Organisation identity;

b) Legacy building – affect of staff turnover minimised;

c) Reliability – data degradation or loss greatly reduced;

d) Time saving – information easily locatable and accessible;

e) Cost-saving and economic impact considerations;

4) Key advantages of Intranet-based systems:

a) Distribution of data inputs and outputs;

b) Multiple and simultaneous access – avoid file circulation hitches or hold-ups;

c) On demand and need based access – no wasteful printing and distributing.

5) Building and Intranet, a Manager perspective:

a) Planning requirements;

b) Critical importance of data entry and updating – keeping an Intranet "alive". How the information is coming into the system, the back office;

c) Human resources requirements, staff profile and skills – need to change organisation "culture" vis a vis information;

d) Methods for restricting access to sensitive information – passwords, partial access and document classification;

e) Cost considerations;

DELIVERY

1) Visit our Intranet. A tour of an organisation information system;

2) Demonstrative tutorial explaining key advantages of Intranet based information storage, access and exchange for routine administrative functions. Existing examples of effective Intranets will be included, to highlight more creative exploitation of Intranet’s potential;

3) Session will end with a round-table discussion on potential benefits of Intranets for typical government organisations.

 

LUNCH BREAK

SESSION 4: Information and Communication within a Country – CountryNET

OBJECTIVES: This session will introduce the concept of CountryNET enabling access to information and communication through a national network, and consequently assisting in the build-up of national identity. National networks will improve delivery of information and communication to all participating services and activities. This session will introduce the potential of CountryNET to support and improve governance and development activities.

CONTENT

1) Introduction to Internet-based national information systems, CountryNET;

2) Support to main Government activities – tele-medicine, distance education, aid coordination, disaster management etc. Presentation of concrete examples such as:

a) Improving governance by providing citizens with on-demand information – current laws on women’s rights eg alimony rights for women in Fiji;

b) Intra-governmental pooling and exchange of information – eg Aid Management Unit leading to more informed policy decisions within the Government and exchange of information among the donor community;

c) Providing relevant and timely information with greater efficiency – eg, weather reports, planting schedule, crop/field maintenance, etc. to farmers;

d) Enabling citizens to submit forms and applications via CountryNET to extend access to rural and remote areas;

e) Automating query responses for complex regulations – eg pension and welfare rights based on contributions;

f) Extending administrative reach with department – eg better application of customs and excise rules and regulations.

3) Evaluation of benefits of CountryNETs for sustainable human development;

4) Assessment of infrastructure requirements for typical CountryNETs – information highway, public access kiosks, information update, remote connectivity, etc;

5) Critical assessment of overall potential of unrestricted access to CountryNET sites;

DELIVERY

1) Computer-based presentations to explain basics of national information systems;

2) Tutorial designed to illustrate key advantages and various benefits of CountryNET. Explain how interactive sites can support so many activities related to providing service and support to citizens. Review issues about access restrictions;

3) Extended practical session during which participants will be able to explore and interact with examples of exiting sites to illustrate specific advantages of CountryNET. These will include on-demand information (eg, on Women’s Rights); online submission of application form; automated query response (eg, pension and welfare rights); intra-government information pooling and distribution, delivery or broadcast of relevant information (eg, crop planting advice to farmers, customs regulations, etc);

4) Round-table discussion on utility and feasibility of CountryNETs for developing countries, with particular focus on SHD activities, good governance and infrastructure issues.

END OF DAY 2

DAY THREE

SESSION 5: Information beyond National Boundaries – INTERNET

OBJECTIVES: Participants will explore the concept of a globally connected information networks (ie, Internet, the World Wide Web and other tools). This session will review the benefits of having access to Internet’s truly global reach, and its potential for supporting SHD activities through exposure to existing examples of appropriate Internet websites.

CONTENT

1) Introduction to the concept of Internet – a global network to which each country can contribute – range and variety of inputs;

2) How to build a country presence (ie, website) and perils of letting other do it by default – web pages, formatting, publishing, website updating and maintenance;

3) Critical evaluation of existing examples of country sites – what to avoid;

4) Potential benefits of access to available information – eg online courses/tutorials, maps, health manuals and advice, customer base, marketing information, etc;

5) Introduction to major search engines and indexing/archiving service providers;

6) Evaluation of unhindered access to Internet and assessment of restricting access – firewall, screening, monitoring;

7) Assessment of infrastructure requirements for connecting to the Internet;

8) Overview of cost and benefits;

9) Evaluation of pros and cons of Internet for SHD activities.

 

DELIVERY

1) Hands on interactive session on the Internet. Visit appropriate sites identified by on-line search engines. Will include a range of sites each selected to illustrate the variety of information and it use on the Internet. Further participants will be able to explore examples discussion fora (eg Newsnet, Online Chat, Bulletin Boards, etc); trading forum; University campuses, banking transaction, travel guides, maps (of world, countries, cities, specified routes), health information and support, etc;

2) Participants will explore sites on topics of personal interest;

3) Round-table discussion on utility and feasibility of connecting up to the Internet.

 

LUNCH BREAK

SESSION 6: IT for Development Activities – Brainstorming session

OBJECTIVES: Exchange of ideas among the participants for the formulation of IT concept proposals in support of development activities. Discussion on these concepts in the context of the UNDP programme at the country level and on the possibility/type of assistance to be provided by APDIP and/or other partners.

 

CONTENT

1) Discussion and debate on benefits of IT for governance and development activities;

2) Presentation of the UNDP Country Office programme activities;

3) Discussion on the implementation of IT components within UNDP-funded programmes and projects;

4) Presentation of the IT country proposal template and criteria for APDIP Assistance;

5) Budget requirements, financial structure and type of funding available;

6) Feedback and evaluation of Seminar content, format and presentation.

 

DELIVERY

1) Roundtable discussion involving all participants on the elaboration of country proposals for development activities to be supported by APDIP;

2) Template for APDIP assistance;

3) Evaluation of Seminar format, content and presentation – questionnaire and verbal feedback.

END OF DAY THREE


Last modified 2004-06-07 06:29 PM
 
 
Powered by Plone rss logo