PREAMBLE

Over the past few years it has become evident that Information Technology (IT) in general, and particularly the Internet, is truly changing the way we work and live. This change deeply affects countries where the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works, and has the potential to accelerate these countries' development and growth while contributing to equalise disparities at social and economic levels. There is also the risk that some countries will be further sidelined and disadvantaged if they are not in a position to promptly understand and respond to the challenges presented by the new communication paradigm.

The Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP) offers a series of IT Seminars designed to assist countries in formulating comprehensive IT frameworks and enabling policies to harness the potential of IT and support national development in line with their social, economic and political objectives.

APDIP will be conducting a Seminar, in Bangkok, for Thai government officials. In line with Thailand's 8^th Development Plan, which focuses on people-centered development and decentralization, the government has appointed Data Centre Directors to implement and manage Information Centres in all ministries within its government. APDIP is offering a specialised Seminar titled "IT Policies and Infrastructure Development" to assist the Thai government in the implementation of efficient policies for IT development and management of government-based data centres. The Seminar will be attended by these Data Centre Directors who are in a position to actively promote the development of IT systems and policies for the Thai government.

The Seminar curriculum has specifically been designed in accordance to the requirements defined by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), Thailand. NESDB is attached to the Prime Minister's Office and is charged with the task of designing development policies for Thailand (http://www.nesdb.go.th/). NECTEC is the secretariat office for Thailand's National Information Technology Committee and is responsible for the overall development of IT in Thailand (http://www.nectec.or.th/home/).

This Seminar will begin with an introduction to broad issues that need to be addressed in determining IT policies to advance Sustainable Human Development (SHD). The focus will then be on the policies required for managing information centres within the various ministries and related IT concerns.

The Seminar will provide a variety of examples, practical sessions and supporting materials. The mode of delivery will be through lectures, tutorials and open forum discussions conducted by specialists in the fields of policies and information systems development. An excellent training environment with electronic presentations and relevant IT applications deployed through Internet-wired workstations will be made available to participants at the Seminar.

At the end of the Seminar, a session will be dedicated to brainstorming, thus providing a forum for exploring relevant issues and resolving concerns regarding the actual implementation of IT initiatives. The following sections outline the Seminar training contents.

SEMINAR OUTLINE

This outline is only indicative and subject to change

DAY ONE

Registration

OPENING SESSION: 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. Opening statement by NECTEC
2. Opening statement by NESDB
3. Introduction by APDIP;
4. Welcome Speech by Resident Representative, UNDP Bangkok
5. Self-Introduction by two representatives of the participants. Short outline on their expectations about the Seminar and the use of IT;
6. Presentation of APDIP and its mandate;
7. Overview of the Seminar; and,
8. Introduction to the Seminar web site.

DELIVERY

1. Electronic presentations;
2. Interactive web site; and,
3. Round-table discussion and exchange of information.

SESSION 1: IT for Sustainable Human Development (SHD)

Presented by APDIP

OBJECTIVES:The purpose of this session is to examine the practical uses of IT for SHD. This session offers background information on IT and explains how information systems can scale across a wide range of applications, and what benefits can be expected. It will also discuss IT trends.

CONTENT

1. The roles of organisation, management and technology dimensions of Information Systems;
2. Difference between transport and content;
3. Introduction to Intranet – distribution of information across the organisation;
4. Potential benefits of Internet for SHD activities;
5. Practical applications of IT for SHD and,
6. IT Trends.

DELIVERY

1. Computer-based presentation;
2. Demonstration of information services to support development activities; and,
3. An open forum discussion with the participants.

BREAK

SESSION 2: National Information Technology (IT) Policies - Meeting Social, Economic and Political Objectives

Presented by the Multimedia Development Corporation

OBJECTIVES: This session will expose the participants to initiatives implemented nationally on matters of policies and regulations for the development of IT infrastructure and services. It will familiarise participants with broad issues that need to be addressed in developing IT policies in line with national aspirations.

CONTENT

1. Establishment of national connectivity – basis requirements, enabling policy decisions, mode of policy implementation;
2. Internet-based national information systems to support main Government activities and national development;
3. Meeting social and political objectives, enabling economic growth and promoting Sustainable Human Development (SHD) through technology-mediated development activities; and,
4. Funding mechanisms of national IT infrastructure and services.

DELIVERY

1. Electronic presentation on country-specific National Internet Policies;
2. Researched presentation material on IT Policies in the above areas will be distributed to participants; and,
3. Open forum discussion on utility and feasibility of connectivity for developing countries, with particular focus on national Internet policies for SHD activities, good governance and infrastructure.

LUNCH BREAK

SESSION 3: Telecommunications and Information Technology Infrastructure

Presented by CISCO Systems

OBJECTIVES: This session will begin by providing an overview of national IT and telecommunication infrastructure development. Infrastructure technical standards, protocols, and client-server will be briefly discussed. It will then provide a management perspective of the infrastructure needs for the development of an organisation's intranet, extranet and internet connectivity.

CONTENT

1. Telecommunications and IT infrastructure development (examples);
2. Technical standards for reliability, stability, interoperability, scalability and usage;
3. Managing the development of an organisation's intranet, extranet and internet connectivity;
4. Assessment of infrastructure required for network connectivity within the organisation; and,
5. Costs for network connectivity.

DELIVERY

1. Computer-based presentations;
2. Researched presentation material on best practices available will be distributed to participants; and,
3. An open forum discussion with the participants and an assessment of their telecommunication and IT infrastructure needs.

BREAK

SESSION 4: Network Security

Presented by CISCO Systems

OBJECTIVES: This session will introduce the participants to security issues and the effective use of globally supported technologies in relation to security management infrastructures.

CONTENT

1. Assessment of network security issues and security threats (hackers, viruses, worm, etc,);
2. Encryption techniques;
3. Authentication - Electronic Signature;
4. Firewalls;
5. Privacy;
6. Funding mechanisms; and,
7. Responsibility and accountability.

DELIVERY

1. Computer-based presentations;
2. Researched presentation material on best practices available; and,
3. An open forum discussion with the participants on network security.

END OF DAY ONE

DAY TWO

SESSION 5: Strategic IT Planning

Presented by Andersen Consulting

OBJECTIVES: This session will guide the participants on how to develop an IT Plan for an organisation - the issues and considerations.

CONTENT

1. Developing an IT master plan;
2. Requirements analysis;
3. Budgeting and financial considerations; and,
4. Developing an IT action plan for implementation purposes.

DELIVERY

1. Computer-based presentations;
2. Researched presentation material on best practices available;
3. Case studies; and,
4. An open forum discussion with the participants on IT planning.

BREAK

SESSION 6: Managing an Information Centre (Computer Data Centre)

Presented by Andersen Consulting

OBJECTIVES: This session will guide the participants on how to manage a data centre.

CONTENT

1. Functions of a data centre;
2. Role of the data centre manager;
3. Resource management - hardware, software, network, database and people; and,
4. Budget allocations and financial considerations.

DELIVERY

1. Computer-based presentations;
2. Researched presentation material on best practices available;
3. Case studies and,
4. An open forum discussion with the participants on managing a data centre.

LUNCH BREAK

 SESSION 7: Disaster Management

Presented by Andersen Consulting

OBJECTIVES: The session will discuss information systems disaster management and the formation of backup and disaster recovery plans.

CONTENT

1. Types of information systems disasters or faults;
2. Managing and resolving information systems disasters;
3. The role of data centre managers in handling these problems and,
4. Creating a disaster recovery plan.

DELIVERY

1. Computer-based presentations;
2. Researched presentation material on best practices available; and,
3. An open forum discussion with the participants on disaster management issues.

END OF DAY TWO

DAY THREE

SESSION 8: Internet Policies

Presented by Get IT

OBJECTIVES: The session will provide an overview of Internet policies and legislative issues with regard to copyright infringement, privacy and security breaches.

CONTENT

1. Internet policies and regulations;
2. Copyright laws and infringement liability;
3. Privacy and data protection regulations; and,
4. Preventing security breaches.

DELIVERY

1. Computer-based presentation; and,
2. An open forum discussion with the participants and assess their needs in relation to developing policies for the organisation.

BREAK

SESSION 9: Organisation Policies

Presented by Get IT

OBJECTIVES: The session will be dedicated to discuss the formulation of policies for the use of Internet, Intranet and Extranet in an organisation. It will also cover content regulation and policies to prevent misuse of computer systems.

CONTENT

1. Content regulation - pornography, speech-restraint, defamation, sedition, advertising, illegal content;
2. Regulating online conduct and preventing misuse of computers;
3. Advantages or drawbacks of controlling information; and,
4. Determining organisation policies for the use of Internet, Intranet and Extranet.

DELIVERY

1. Computer-based presentation; and,
2. An open forum discussion with the participants and assess their needs in relation to developing policies for the organisation.

LUNCH BREAK

SESSION 10: Brainstorming Session

OBJECTIVES: Exchange of ideas on the formulation of IT frameworks and the identification of follow-up tasks as a result of the Seminar. Discussion on concept proposals in support of development activities and the possibility of assistance through a UNDP programme at country level/APDIP and/or other partners.

CONTENT

1. Closing statement by a representative of the participants to highlight follow-up tasks in their country;
2. Discussion and debate on benefits of IT for governance and development activities;
3. Discussions on the formulation of IT policies;
4. Presentation of the UNDP Country Office programme activities;
5. Discussion on the implementation of IT components within UNDP-funded programmes and projects; and,
6. Feedback and evaluation of Seminar content, format and presentation.

DELIVERY

1. Roundtable discussion involving all participants on the elaboration of further follow-up activities; and,
2. Evaluation of Seminar- questionnaire and verbal feedback.

END OF DAY THREE