WSIS Asian Regional Conference: Onsite Report
Day 1 / 13 January 2003
Here are reports on two of the six panel sessions held on the first day of the
WSIS Asian Regional Conference. Panel sessions began right after the Opening
Session organised by various groups.
Panel Discussion I: "Connectivity and the Information Society in Asia"
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The panel discussion on "Connectivity and the Information Society in Asia",
organised by the ITU, was held right after the Opening Session of the WSIS
Asian Regional Conference. Panelists discussed various achievements in
different countries in providing Internet connectivity.
Some of the highlights of the panel discussion include:
- Afghanistan's efforts to provide access through wireless technology. Access
in Afghanistan has grown in the past year, despite the country's numerous
problems.
- Affordability is an important factors in successful connectivity solutions.
Telecentres are considered to be a successful model in providing connectivity
to rural and disadvantages areas.
- The idea of a regional backbone, which was said to possibly decrease
connectivity costs in the region. Japan's proposal for an Asia Broadband
Programme will facilitate greater digital exchange with Europe and North
America.
- Governments' role in the Information Society is to prepare their countries
for greater connectivity and rapid development of ICTs. These include:
freeing up the market to both small and big operators, providing e-government
services, legislation changes that will facilitate the information economy,
and providing human resource development in the area of ICT. These are
necessary in building "investor confidence" and will facilitate the
participation of the private sector in connectivity efforts.
Civil society was represented by Nick Moraitis, Youth Caucus of the WSIS
Coordinator. In his presentation, he highlighted the contributions of the
youth sector in the area of ICTs. He talked about the potentials of ICTs for
the youth, but also raised concern over issues such as:
- the lack of and unequal access to ICTs among the youth
- the need for youth participation in decision-making spaces in ICTs
- the need for lifelong learning for the youth so that they can continue
engaging the rapidly growing ICT development
Panelists included Mohammed Masoon Stanekzai (Minister of Communications,
Transitional Islamic Government of Afghanistan), Surapong Suebwomglee
(Minister of Information and Communication, Thailand), Vinood Vaish
(Department of Telecommunications, India), Shunzu Morishita (NTT East, Japan)
and Nick Moraitis (Youth Caucus of the WSIS). The panel was moderated by
Michael Calvano (Head of the ITU Regional Office) and chaired by Anthony S.K.
Wong (Director General of Telecommunications, Hong Kong).
A parallel panel was held at the same time on "Cultural Diversity in Knowledge
Societies in Asia and the Pacific", organised by UNESCO.
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Panel Discussion III (1): "National and Regional e-Development: Making
Action, Measuring Results"
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In the afternoon session of the first day of the Asian WSIS preparatory
meeting, UNDP and ADB held a panel discussion on "National and Regional e-
Development: Making Action, Measuring Results". Most of the panelists
discussed various national programmes that governments are undertaking that
contribute to and prepare for e-Development. These included broadband
infrastructures, telemedicine initiatives, e-commerce and e-governance.
Hamadoun Toure, Director of the ITU BDT, presented the work of the ITU on e-
development. He said that the ITU continues to look for and prioritise
appropriate, affordable, easy-to-use ad accessible technologies must be used
in e-development. He stressed the importance of standardised low cost
solutions that can be implemented large-scale and thus benefit more people. He
also said that the ITU's e-development initiatives take into account gender
issues. He also identified the factors of e-development that are equally
important: content, infrastructure, finance, sustainability and human
development. He also mentioned that e-development must look
Kathleen Heceta, the Philippine delegate, said that e-development must be
people-centred and aimed towards empowering the people. She added that
governments must look into available and affordable infrastructures and create
enabling environments through capacity-building. She also urged that the
issues of less developed countries be put on the agenda of ICT development.
Izumi Aizu represented civil society during the panel. In his presentation, he
raised the topic of NGOs contributions to and strategic use of ICTs, and
called for the inclusion of NGOs and civil society throughout the WSIS process
and the development of the information society.
Panelists included: Jigiig Byamba (Ministry of Infrastructure Development,
Mongolia), Andrei Korotkov (Russia Federation), Anne-Marie Lansdown (National
Office of the Information Economy, Australia), Hamadoun Toure (ITU), Yoshio
Tsukio (Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and
Telecommunications, Japan), Isumi Aizu (GLOCOM, Japan), and Kathleen Heceta
(Deputy Commissioner, Philippines). It was moderated by Dennis Gilhooly (UNDP)
and chaired by Hafiz Pasha (UNDP).
A parallel panel was held on "National and Regional e-development: New
Solutions, New Markets" was held at the same time.