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Tunis, Tunisia, 15 November 2005 — Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) will showcase the work of 70 of its research partners from developing countries at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis, Tunisia, 16–18 November 2005. Summit participants will reflect on the central role that information and communication technologies (ICTs) play in human development as well as debate and exchange thoughts on the future of the information society.

IDRC is a pioneer in the promotion of ICTs as a means to improve health, education, and access to markets. The Centre and its partners have been involved in the WSIS Preparatory Process from the outset and had a strong presence at the Summit’s first phase in Geneva in December 2003.

“IDRC has been engaged in the dynamics of ICTs and development for more than 30 years," says IDRC President Maureen O’Neil. “The Centre has been working with developing-country researchers to make ICTs more available to more people, so that ICTs can propel real social and economic transformation.”

IDRC will also host the Canada Pavilion at the Summit’s ICT4all Exhibition, a marketplace of exhibits and workshops on the human dimension of ICTs. IDRC partners from Africa and the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America will share their practical experiences through demonstrations, including building a “cantenna” that uses a simple metal can to connect to wireless technology; creating media content and promoting it through podcasting; using PDAs to access healthcare information; and exploring the potential and limitations of Voice over Internet Protocol. The IDRC exhibition will also have an online speakers’ corner where visitors will be invited to give their opinion on the future of WSIS after Tunis.

“The ICT4all Exhibition is the place for developing-country ICT researchers and activists to share and learn,” says Richard Fuchs, the Director of IDRC’s Information and Communication Technologies for Development program. “It’s a hot marketplace of ideas and people involved in pro-poor digital development.”

Other highlights of IDRC participation at WSIS include:

• The official launch of telecentre.org, a CA$21 million collaborative initiative IDRC has founded with its partners, Microsoft Corporation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. (17 November, at 14:00)
• A two-day session — Promoting African Research and Education Networking (PAREN) — on issues related to bandwidth and higher education in Africa. On average, African universities have no more bandwidth than a home connection in North America or Europe. Hamstrung from fully participating in the global online research community, African scholars face huge obstacles in keeping up with the latest developments in their fields. (14-15 November)
• A conference on providing universal and affordable access to ICTs. Experts will discuss “Pro-Poor Pro-Market ICT Policy and Regulation.” (17 November)

For the full list of IDRC activities at WSIS and their location, consult www.idrc.ca/4media/wsis ICT experts and practitioners associated with IDRC will also be available for interviews.

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Contacts:

In Tunis  (Please check local time in Tunis)

Jennifer Pepall
(613) 301-5611
jpepall@idrc.ca  

Pauline Dole
(613) 864-6746
pdole@idrc.ca  

In Ottawa

Mary O’Neill
(613) 236-6163, ext. 2108
maoneill@idrc.ca  

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) seeks to help developing countries find long-term, innovative, and practical solutions to their social, economic, and environmental problems. Building on its record during WSIS phase 1, IDRC’s agenda at Tunis for phase 2 will showcase its established program in the ICT4D area.

2005-11-15

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