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COLLABORATION BETWEEN WORLDWIDE EXPERTS
To address the digital divide in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of the world, and to fully implement the LDC Initiative, the Cisco Systems, Inc., has partnered with several international organizations and other strategic partners around the globe. From the initial stages of the LDC Initiative, UNDP, USAID's Leland Initiative, and UNV's UNITeS program, have partnered with Cisco Systems in the design and strategy of the LDC Initiative. This initial partnership has expanded even further to include organizations such as ITU and UNECA. Each partner contributes their expertise and staff resources to make the project a success. The teams consult at all levels on a regular basis to ensure consistency, feedback at the country level, efficient implementation and measurable results. All partners also assist in specific programs to target the gender digital divide and promote gender-specific recruitment and retention strategies within the Academies:
FOUNDING PARTNERS:
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
As the principal provider of development advice for the UN, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has offices worldwide. Its mission is to reduce world poverty and to provide developing nations with advice and assistance in fields such as democratic governance and peace-building, energy and environment, and information technology. Specifically in the IT sector, UNDP is striving to increase connectivity and competition by aiding developing nations to construct National Information Infrastructure Policies. With Cisco, UNDP provides the extra support needed by LDC Academies to maintain and expand the program, and it serves as a liaison between the Cisco Networking Academy Program and government ministries.
For more information about UNDP, go to: http://www.undp.org/
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was created in 1961 under John F. Kennedy's presidency. Since then, it has served as the main U.S. agency to aid nations "recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms." In the information technology (IT) domain, USAID has been an extremely prominent player in supporting and developing knowledge and technology. The main projects in IT include the Internet for Economic Development (IED) Initiative, AfricaLink, the Leland Initiative, and the Education for Development and Democracy Initiative (EDDI). These projects expand Internet access and applications in developing countries, as well as train individuals in this sector. By joining forces, USAID and Cisco are making progress in achieving the goals of improving Internet connectivity and access within Africa.
For more information about USAID, go to: http://www.usaid.gov/
United Nations Volunteers (United Nations Information Technology Service) (UNV (UNITeS))
The main objective of the United Nations Volunteers, Information Technology Service (UNITeS), an initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General's Millennium Report, is to develop a global program for information technology volunteers. Its commitment to information technology and development is evident through its collaboration with diverse governments, civil society, the private sector, development agencies and academia. By working directly with the people in developing countries, UNITeS' goal is to help these country partners build capabilities for using and developing IT in human development, especially in fields such as education, environment, health, and small and micro- enterprises. Under this partnership with Cisco, over 20 volunteers have been deployed-each for a 12-month assignment-working to strengthen and expand the Academy program in the host country. Some Volunteers are specifically trained as gender experts, using special recruitment and retention skills to assist the Academies.
For more information about UNV, go to: http://www.unvolunteers.org/
and http://www.unites.org/
ADDITIONAL PARTNERS:
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
ITU brings together government and industries to coordinate the establishment and operation of global telecommunication networks and services. The ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau (TBD) aims to facilitate connectivity and access, foster policy, regulatory and network readiness, expand human capacity through training programs, formulate financing strategies and e-enable enterprises in developing countries to bridge thedigital divide. With the aim to close the gap in Internet and "new economy" skills in developing countries, The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched its Internet Training Centres Initiative for Developing Countries (ITCI-DC), in May 2001. The ITU Development Bureau (TBD) plans to establish a worldwide network of 50 Internet Training Centers by mid 2003. Cisco is the pioneer corporate partner under this initiative. The Cisco Networking Academy Program will be offered at ITU's Training Centers, which will provide training networking skills.
For more information about ITU, go to: http://www.itu.int/home/index.html
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
ECA is the regional arm of the United Nations, mandated to support the economic and social development of its African member States, foster regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. Partnerships have been generally and widely accepted as a means towards more effective and impactful development in Africa, and are central to ECA's vision for an African renaissance. It involves forging synergies with African intergovernmental organizations, UN bodies and specialized agencies, donor countries, African universities, research centres and civil society groups. Most of the collaborations involve research, advisory services, sponsorship of seminars and workshops, information sharing, advocacy, and assistance in capacity building through fellowships, internships and lectureships in support of agreed-upon research. The ECA has partnered with Cisco to build a gender-focused program entirely for women. In the first phase of this program, 45 women from across Africa were given scholarships to complete the Cisco Networking Academy Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
For more information about UNECA, go to: http://www.uneca.org/
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