The Global Information Technology Report 2009-2010

Sweden tops the rankings of The Global Information Technology Report 2009-2010, released for the ninth consecutive year by the World Economic Forum. Sweden is followed by Singapore and Denmark, which was in the number one position for the last three years. Switzerland (4), the United States (5) and the other Nordic countries together with the Canada, Hong Kong and the Netherlands complete the top 10.

With an extensive coverage of 133 economies worldwide, the report remains a comprehensive and authoritative international assessment of the impact of ICT on the development process and the competitiveness of nations.

Information and communications technology for disaster risk reduction

Extreme weather conditions and natural disasters are taking an increasing toll, in both human and economic terms. The international community, having realized the gravity of this ominous trend early on, adopted the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters.

In the Asia and the Pacific region, 2008 was marred by Cyclone Nargis, which devastated the Irrawaddy Delta in Myanmar and killed an estimated 130,000 people, and the earthquake that struck Sichuan Province in China, which affected millions and left more than 85,000 dead. In terms of deaths, Cyclone Nargis ranks among the worst five cyclones, and the Sichuan earthquake among the worst 10 earthquakes, since 1900.

It is widely recognized that information and communications technology (ICT), including space-based
technology, plays an important role in establishing effective early warning systems and successfully conducting emergency preparedness and response activities.

Policy brief No.4, UNESCAP, IDD

Background Paper for Identifying the Best Practice of ICT implementations in Asia and the Pacific

The purpose of the paper is to illustrate the status of ICT initiatives and implementations which aim to bridge the digital divide. More precisely, this paper aims to help assess how many people, what kind of groups of people and which regions have been left out from accessing ICT, and to identify the main problems of further expanding ICT access which is the foundation of an inclusive information society. Without such foundation, meaningful utilization of ICT for development would not be feasible.First, this paper introduces the current situation of the digital divide in Asia and the Pacific. Using and comparing the latest statistical data, it provides a bigger picture of ICT access through examining ICT penetration rate and nature of the digital divide in this region. Second, the paper discusses some latest technologies, such as broadband, wireless, and space technology, which could bridge the digital divide as significant access methodologies: This helps to determine which methodology is suitable to bridge the digital divide in certain locality and under certain condition.Finally, the paper identifies major and strategic ICT projects, mainly at the regional, sub-regionaland national levels, which have been undertaken in Asia and the Pacific with a view to expanding ICT access. (Zunia)

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Digital Quality of Life: Understanding the Personal & Social Benefits of the Information Technology Revolution

In this report, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation documented how IT, since the mid-1990s, has been the principal driver of increased economic growth not only in the United States but also in many other nations. However, IT is also at the core of dramatic improvements in the quality of life for individuals around the world. In this new report, it is shown how IT is the key enabler of many, if not most, of today’s key innovations and improvements in people’s lives and society—from better education and health care, to a cleaner and more energy-efficient environment, to safer and more secure communities and nations.

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Source: Zunia, Knowledge Sharing

Social Networking, the "Third Place," and the Evolution of Communication

This white paper discusses the premise that technology not only mediates interactions, but is actually changing the nature of communication itself. This release marks the first in a series of topical papers associates with the New Media Consortium's Series of Virtual Symposia (formerly the Series of Online Conferences), which are designed to explore emerging topics in education and technology using social computing technologies to bring people together online in a way that offers many of the same affordances of a face-to-face conference.

For detail click here to read the paper

Source: Zunia, Knowledge Exchange

The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009

The Report underlines that good education fundamentals and high levels of technological readiness and innovation are essential engines of growth needed to overcome the current economic crisis. Under the theme “Mobility in a Networked World”, this year’s Report places a particular focus on the relationship and interrelations between mobility and ICT.

With record coverage of 134 economies worldwide, the Report remains the world’s most comprehensive and authoritative international assessment of the impact of ICT on the development process and the competitiveness of nations. The Report is produced by the World Economic Forum in cooperation with INSEAD, the leading international business school, and is sponsored by Cisco Systems.

See detail,  The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009