The Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT/ESCAP), is marking its sixth year in operation by launching a series of publications and digital platforms designed to enhance knowledge sharing capacity on information and communication technology for development (ICTD) in the region.
Established on 16 June, 2006 as a regional institute of the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), APCICT has been making concerted efforts in collaboration with a spectrum of partners to raise awareness about the potential of ICTD and provide stakeholders and development practitioners with the ability to fully leverage the benefits of ICTs in support of national and regional development goals.
APCICT has rolled-out its ICTD capacity building programmes in 29 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. They have also been introduced in Africa, and firm plans are underway to launch them in the Middle-East. The Centre has worked with more than 80 national and regional-level partners from government, civil society, academia and the private sector to train over 11,800 individuals via face-to-face and online training on the use of ICT for development. Moreover, for strengthening the pool of policy-oriented ICTD research and analysis, APCICT has published or contributed to more than 90 ICTD capacity development knowledge resources since its establishment.
“APCICT's ICT capacity development achievements in ESCAP member States over the past 6 years have been a result of its network of committed partners across the Asia-Pacific,” said Dr. Hyeun-Suk Rhee, Director of UN-APCICT/ESCAP. “To further strengthen ICTD human resource capacity, APCICT will continue to work closely with partners at all levels to develop programmes and resources that address the unique challenges, as well as opportunities in the region.”
To enhance its capacity building activities and collaboration with partners, APCICT is publishing a series of knowledge sharing resources and enhancing its digital platforms. This week APCICT will begin disseminating the enhanced and updated version 2.0 of the “Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders” (Academy). First launched in 2008, the Academy is APCICT’s flagship training programme designed to equip government officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to harness ICTD. APCICT will also publish and distribute its Knowledge Sharing Series (KSS), which provides detailed guidelines on specific ICTD themes through concrete strategies, best practices and case studies.
To facilitate use and discussion on both Academy and KSS content, APCICT is also launching an online Communities of Practice (CoP). The CoP will enable experts, field-practitioners and learners to share knowledge and best practices on ICTD. Finally, to enhance communication with host country partners in the Republic of Korea and promote cooperation on ICTD, APCICT is concurrently launching its Korean language website.
