World Telecommunication and Information Society Day has as its main purpose the raising of awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies.
No one can deny that to an ever increasing extent, today’s society may be characterized as moving into an era of advanced technological innovation.
One of the areas in which these technological advances are dramatically influencing people’s lives is information technology and telecommunications.
Some claim that we are in the midst of a ‘digital revolution’ that is driving us towards an ‘information society’.
Unfortunately, as during previous societal revolutions based on technological advances, there remain many countries and people that are largely unaffected by the changes that are taking place.
Recognising this digital divide and in an effort to bridge the chasm which separates those with and without access to information and knowledge, this year World Telecommunication and Information Society Day highlights the theme “Better Life in Rural Communities with ICTs”.
At the international level, this year’s observance is meant to bring to the forefront the challenges experienced by the world’s rural populations to capitalize on the full potential of ICTs and the very real need to get rural populations on the information superhighway.
Recent research by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) indicates that half the world’s population - roughly three billion people - live in rural districts and far-flung communities.
Of this figure as much as seventy per cent of the developing world’s 1.4 billion extremely poor people live in rural areas and are among the least connected to the benefits of ICTs.
In Commemorating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2011, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago fully endorses and supports the call by the ITU to harness the power of ICTs to improve the quality of life for members of rural communities.
More than ever today we understand that ICTs and related e-applications are key instruments in improving governance and rural services such as providing community health care especially maternal and child health, safe drinking water and sanitation; education and empowering women and the more vulnerable members of society.
Here in Trinidad and Tobago, this Government fully appreciates the importance of ICT as an enabler for national development. We are also aware of the benefits of emerging technologies to bring citizens closer to Government.
Already our ttconnect service provides citizens with an alternative to visiting Government offices Access to Government information and services is brought directly to each citizen by way of ttconnect online, ttconnect service centres located throughout the country, ttconnect self-service kiosks and most recently ttconnect Express and ttconnect mobile.
In addition, to make it easier to do business in Trinidad and Tobago and raise our profile in international markets and improve trade, the Ministry of Trade and Industry is championing the TTBizlink initiative, an IT platform designed to provide a range of business services online.
Arguably, of greatest significance is our e-Connect and Learn Programme (eCal). eCal is not merely the provision of over 20,000 laptop computers to form 1 students and teachers annually but rather it is my government’s commitment to ensure that all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have access to technology as well as the ability to effectively use ICTs.
Our children and by extension their families throughout the length and breadth of Trinidad and Tobago, will now have at their fingertips the power to make decisions and improve the quality of life for themselves, their communities and support the collective developmental goals and aspirations of our Nation.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day should remind us that ICTs are increasingly dictating lifestyles and behaviour patterns. They may also be regarded as flexible and powerful tools for social development.
Today the Government of Trinidad and Tobago stands ready to embrace the promise of the ICT revolution and together with local, regional and international stakeholders we will ensure that rural communities here and abroad are not left behind urban centres in their quest for connectivity and ultimately prosperity.
No one can deny that to an ever increasing extent, today’s society may be characterized as moving into an era of advanced technological innovation.
One of the areas in which these technological advances are dramatically influencing people’s lives is information technology and telecommunications.
Some claim that we are in the midst of a ‘digital revolution’ that is driving us towards an ‘information society’.
Unfortunately, as during previous societal revolutions based on technological advances, there remain many countries and people that are largely unaffected by the changes that are taking place.
Recognising this digital divide and in an effort to bridge the chasm which separates those with and without access to information and knowledge, this year World Telecommunication and Information Society Day highlights the theme “Better Life in Rural Communities with ICTs”.
At the international level, this year’s observance is meant to bring to the forefront the challenges experienced by the world’s rural populations to capitalize on the full potential of ICTs and the very real need to get rural populations on the information superhighway.
Recent research by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) indicates that half the world’s population - roughly three billion people - live in rural districts and far-flung communities.
Of this figure as much as seventy per cent of the developing world’s 1.4 billion extremely poor people live in rural areas and are among the least connected to the benefits of ICTs.
In Commemorating World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2011, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago fully endorses and supports the call by the ITU to harness the power of ICTs to improve the quality of life for members of rural communities.
More than ever today we understand that ICTs and related e-applications are key instruments in improving governance and rural services such as providing community health care especially maternal and child health, safe drinking water and sanitation; education and empowering women and the more vulnerable members of society.
Here in Trinidad and Tobago, this Government fully appreciates the importance of ICT as an enabler for national development. We are also aware of the benefits of emerging technologies to bring citizens closer to Government.
Already our ttconnect service provides citizens with an alternative to visiting Government offices Access to Government information and services is brought directly to each citizen by way of ttconnect online, ttconnect service centres located throughout the country, ttconnect self-service kiosks and most recently ttconnect Express and ttconnect mobile.
In addition, to make it easier to do business in Trinidad and Tobago and raise our profile in international markets and improve trade, the Ministry of Trade and Industry is championing the TTBizlink initiative, an IT platform designed to provide a range of business services online.
Arguably, of greatest significance is our e-Connect and Learn Programme (eCal). eCal is not merely the provision of over 20,000 laptop computers to form 1 students and teachers annually but rather it is my government’s commitment to ensure that all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have access to technology as well as the ability to effectively use ICTs.
Our children and by extension their families throughout the length and breadth of Trinidad and Tobago, will now have at their fingertips the power to make decisions and improve the quality of life for themselves, their communities and support the collective developmental goals and aspirations of our Nation.
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day should remind us that ICTs are increasingly dictating lifestyles and behaviour patterns. They may also be regarded as flexible and powerful tools for social development.
Today the Government of Trinidad and Tobago stands ready to embrace the promise of the ICT revolution and together with local, regional and international stakeholders we will ensure that rural communities here and abroad are not left behind urban centres in their quest for connectivity and ultimately prosperity.
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