At the G-8 Summit in July 2000, Cisco Systems announced the
LDC Initiative to work with strategic partners - the United
Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United States Agency
for International Development's Leland Initiative - to extend
the Cisco Networking Academy Program to 24 of the world's
49 Least Developed Countries (LDCs). By May 2001, the program
had reached more than 27 LDCs. Learn more about participating
LDCs.
Press release, July 24, 2000: "Cisco
Systems, Inc., Invests in Least Developed Countries: Educational
program to train students for Internet Economy."
Project Goals
The goal of the initiative is to meet the urgent development
needs of LDCs through private and public sector collaboration.
To accelerate their progress towards full integration into
the world economy, many LDCs need an Internet infrastructure
and a workforce trained to support it. Learn more about
program goals. >> More
About the Partners
Through this initiative, Cisco joins the United Nations
Secretary General's initiative UNITeS and the United Nations
Volunteers in expanding the range of information and communication
technologies available within LDCs. Partners will utilize
their expertise and knowledge in technology and development
and work together with governments and local communities
to localize the program. >> More
