Program of APEC Telecenter Training Camp

(January 24-29, 2005, Taipei)

Organizer: Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, Executive Yuan
Contact Person: Yu-Chuan (Michael) Lin
Yuchuan@rdec.gov.tw
Tel: +886-2-23215739
November 24, 2004

I. Background

In support of APEC Economic Leaders’ decisions in the field of bridging the digital divide, Chinese Taipei proposed the establishment of an APEC Digital Opportunity Center at the 11th APEC Economic Leaders’ meeting in Bangkok in 2003. The leaders welcome Chinese Taipei’s proposal as reflected in the Chair’s Summary. The APEC Telecenter Development Program is one of projects to fulfill the establishment of the APEC Digital Opportunity Center. This Program aims to carry on workforce training and physical establishment of telecenters in APEC in order to:

1. Fulfill the goal of an APEC digital society in accordance with the Leaders’ commitments and The e-APEC strategy;
2. Create a cooperative mechanism for public and private sector in bridging the digital divide;
3. Act as a major enabler of the New Economy, while harnessing the full potential of the information and communication technology (ICT);
4. Reinforce and enhance human capacity building toward a successful and sustainable model for telecenter development in APEC.

The strategy of this initiative is to bridge the digital divide through the physical establishment of telecenters with a focus on strengthening digital capability of rural area people. In its first phase, the project involves a workshop and a short-term training camp. In the second phase, the physical establishment of telecenters in APEC developing members will be implemented. There will be a discussion session at the end of first phase. Conclusion of the discussion and comments from member economies on first phase implementation will be the references for the design of second phase.

To share relevant experiences and build consensus in the beginning stage of project implementation, Chinese Taipei held a one-day workshop concurrently to the TEL30 on September 19th, 2004. Some important topics such as sustainability, community involvement, business model, and feasible/affordable technologies were covered at the Workshop.

II. Objectives

The Training Camp aims to raise awareness of the digital divide that exists within APEC, as well as to provide participants with practical knowledge and skills related to digital divide policy planning and implementation.

III. Target Participants and Requirement

1. The target participants are government officials of APEC developing economies, who need be responsible for the policy/implementation of e-government or digital divide in their economy.
2. Two delegates from each developing economy are invited. The organizer will pay their travel expense.
3. Participants need to have good communication capability in English.
4. Representing their economy, the participants are required to submit a report about policy, measures, and implementation of bridging the digital divide.

Participation from developed economies is also highly welcome. However, their travel expenses won’t be covered by the organizer.

IV. Travel Expense

The organizer of this camp covers the travel expenses of two invited participants from each developing economy, including economy class air tickets and hotel accommodation.

V. Registration

All participants need to fill in the registration form, as annexed, and send it to the recipient indicated on the form. (Deadline: December 31, 2004)

VI. Venue

GIS International Conference Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan

VII. Schedule

Remarks:

1. The schedule is subject to change if necessary.
2. The number of country reports and their presentation time will be adjusted according to the feedback of participating economies.