Welcome to the United Nations
Main Expectations: 1. Contribute to mainstream ICT into the UN development agenda;
2. Foster partnerships and collaboration among key ICT4D stakeholders to enhance their effectiveness;
3. Raise awareness of policymakers on ICTD policy issues;
4. Facilitate identification of technological solutions for specific development needs;
5. Promote an enabling environment for pro-poor investment, innovation and entrepreneurship and for empowering poor and disabled communities;
6. Advise the Secretary-General on ICTD-related issues.
Objective/Purpose of Project: The mission of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development is to contribute to transforming the spirit and vision of WSIS into action and promoting the use of ICT for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. It does so by providing an inclusive, multi-stakeholder global forum and platform for cross-sectoral policy dialogue and advocacy and by catalyzing multi-stakeholder action oriented partnerships encouraged under the GAID umbrella. The Alliance provides multi-stakeholder input to intergovernmental bodies, including Economic and Social Council and the Commission for Science and Technology for Development. Specific attention is given to mainstreaming ICTD into the United Nations development agenda, raising awareness of policy-makers and providing advice to the Secretary-General on ICTD policy.
Key Accomplishments: GAID contributed to mainstreaming ICT in the UN Development Agenda through high-profile events at sessions of CSTD, ECOSOC and GA. Three Global Forums, a Connect Africa Summit and two publications contributed to advancing advocacy and policy on ICT's role in development, particularly on issues of youth, connectivity and financing for development. A series of innovative meetings explored ways to leverage innovation and establish close linkages between the technology and development communities.
Cooperation Partners: The Global Alliance has a wide network of partners in the ICT for Development community. Its Steering Committee and Strategy Council are made of 20 and 72 members respectively, representing the diverse stakeholder groups (governments, civil society, private sector and international organizations). A few notable partners are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Canada, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Inter-American Development Bank, Intel Corporation, EMC Corporation, Ericsson, Cisneros Foundation, Bilbao IT4All Network of local authorities, ST Microelectronics, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, International Telecommunications Union, UNESCO, Civicus.
Time Frame: January 2006 – December 2010
Funding: XBTC
Proposed Budget: US$ 2,128,608
Division: DMB