Features The Program Thematic Areas

The analysis of the use of ICTs in the five countries, the consultations IDRC has conducted with partners and main stakeholders in the region, indicate clear efforts initiated by Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen to promote the use of ICTs as a mean to achieve their development goals. Examples include the emergence of policies and reforms to promote universal access, the use of ICTs to improve social service delivery whether in education or health, and the promotion of an ICT industry to encourage employment and economic growth. Though the five identified countries differ in terms of level of ICT development and penetration and in terms of implementation strategies, they face, in a sense, similar challenges as they seek to build a knowledge society.

 

The recent Arab Human Development reports highlighted some deficits hindering the human, social and economic development of the Arab countries. A knowledge deficit, in terms of acquisition, promotion or diffusion; lack of transparency and good governance; non-inclusive participation of members of the society; employability of the youth; and weak research capacity. In order to build a knowledge society through the use of ICTs, the five identified countries will need to improve the execution of their ICT strategies. Transparency and predictability of ICT regulations and government services remain an issue and in many instances have slowed down the development of a thriving ICT sector. The promotion of universal and equitable access to information and knowledge is another area of concern to these countries. More efforts are needed to enhance the ICT literacy of women and improve their economic and social participation and employability. In order to enhance employability, it is essential to make sure that the developed ICT skills can answer the needs and the development priorities. It is important as well to improve linkages between universities, research institutions, the private sector and civil society organisations. 

 

The ICT4D project in the Middle East seeks to contribute to the emergence of an inclusive knowledge society in the five identified countries by building the capacity for applied research and by promoting the creation and sharing of knowledge on the use of ICT for human social and economic development.  Over the next five years and with a total budget of 3.1 million CAD, the project will develop programs under four thematic areas 1) Education and Employability; 2) Women Participation; 3) Governance; and 4) Community and Local Development. It will seek to accomplish the following objectives:

 

Programming approaches and modalities will be various. The project will fund one or two projects per year under the themes identified as a priority for the five countries. A Small Grant program will be created as well with the objective to develop capacity, expertise and knowledge and prepare the appropriate conditions to support bigger projects. Other capacity building activities will include training workshops, outcome evaluation and project monitoring. Dissemination and communication activities will include, among others, the organization of a regional conference on ICT4D in the Middle East bringing together researchers, partners and potential future collaborators to share knowledge and learn from project outcomes.  

 

The ICT4D project in the Middle East will seek to build potential partnership with institutions interested in developing program activities in the region and the five identified countries.  In collaboration with PBDD, a partnership strategy will be developed over the next few months. The challenges and risks affecting program activities such as the geopolitical environment, weak research capacity in the region, limited time frame and means will also be carefully assessed and considered as the project seeks to support regional institutions and partners and work toward achieving its stated objectives.