Feature Story

December 2, 2002

By Amy Glynn Hornick, News@Cisco

Cisco Systems and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) have joined forces to promote Internet education worldwide by developing and supporting the Internet Training Centers Initiative for Developing Countries (ITCI-DC). It is hoped that these centers will play a key role in helping various countries develop their most important assets--their people. Cisco was the pioneer partner to contribute to this ambitious project through its Cisco Networking Academy Program, which provides leadership, online course materials and resources to increase Internet knowledge and extend access to information technology.

Leaders and experts around the world increasingly recognize human resource capacity development as one of the most crucial ingredients to successfully bridge the digital divide. Through a "train-the-trainers" approach, ITU and Cisco will work with public and private sector players and education institutions to provide students and IT and telecommunication professionals in developing countries with access to affordable and relevant training in a mentored e-learning environment. This comprehensive program will enable local residents to independently build and maintain communications networks best suited to their individual communities.

In Asia Pacific, the planned Internet Training Centers will have the collective, long-term goal of educating at least 550 students annually in ten countries, with at least 30% of those students being women. A total of fifty centers are expected to be operating worldwide by end of 2003. ITU's mission of providing developing communities with opportunities and incentives to expand their telecommunications networks encourages individuals as well as local economies to harness and benefit from the Internet's potential.

Cisco's front line experience in educating the public about information technology through its Networking Academies effectively complements the ITU's work in building and operating global telecommunication networks and services in developing nations. Especially in areas of the world where the Internet is still relatively new, there is a pronounced shortage of skilled information technology professionals. By providing traditionally underrepresented populations such as women and the rural poor with access to the necessary information--the right technical resources and translated manuals and help documents--Cisco and ITU are taking an important and tangible step in the direction of sustainable development. Bridging the digital divide is a developmental process that must become self-sustaining over time in order to be truly successful. This is why education within local communities is instrumental to providing impetus for change.

Cisco and ITU's commitment to reducing the gender and economic gaps between the digital 'haves' and 'have-nots' represents an important investment in future leaders. ITCI-DC empowers the next generation of men and women who will prove instrumental in building and maintaining the networks of tomorrow. This is crucial to the effective governance of sustainable networking in communities everywhere--and is something from which the entire global community can benefit.

The countries in Asia where Cisco will support the development of ITU Internet Training Centers are: Bangladesh, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, and Samoa.

Amy Glynn Hornick is a freelancer writer based in San Francisco, CA.