• Raise awareness among policy and decision-makers, the media and the general public of the application of ICTs in sectors key to social and economic development (Governance, Education, Health, Agriculture and Food Security, Commerce and Tourism).
  
  
• Highlight and document best practices in ICT (both international and Ethiopian) and identify future project areas and development partners.
  
  
• Partner the private and public sectors in the development of a national information and communication infrastructure (NICI)

The conference aims to address practical cases in the areas including , but not limited to the following:

• the role and applications of ICTs in key sectors, such as governance, health, education, agriculture, food security, business (commerce) and tourism
• integration of ICT use and applications in rural areas
• organisational case studies where ICTs play a significant role
• electronic commerce
• the role of radio in providing education opportunities and the integration of Internet with community radio
• the media and new technology
• content development in Ethiopia
• software development in local languages

Under this theme, the conference will focus on ways of partnering the private and public sectors in the national information and communication infrastructure (NICI) development .

Focus areas will include but not be limited to:

• enabling frameworks and participation, rural telecommunication development
• use of new wireless and cable technologies to ensure connectivity
• provision of an enabling policy and regulatory framework development
• The relationships of sector specific ICTs and development activities at all levels (decision and policy makers, the media and the general public)
• country experiences (case studies)
• empowering communities using ICTs (role of telecentres, telemedicine, etc.)
• standardisation of ICTs and applications including procurement
• security issues in using ICTs

As elsewhere, in ICT there is a need for education, training and educational capacity building.

This theme will focus on but not be limited to:

• Professional development in IT and information systems and management
• ICT training strategies models curriculum, etc.
• IT and women
• ICT and ‘brain drain’
• Using ICTs for human resources development

See Conference programme for details of the conference timetable.

• Formulation of vision document for ICTs in Ethiopia in 21st century.
• Facilitating the establishment of an ICT network of key stakeholders in Ethiopia.
• Holding a forum for key decision makers and ICT working groups on the issues and possible solutions raised in the conference.
• Publications of the conference report, for all stakeholders.
• Identification of future project areas and partnership in different sectors.
• ‘ICTs and Development’ exhibition
• There will be an Exhibition at the conference site, which will demonstrate current products, practices and services, both by international and local exhibitors.

• Ato Asrat Bulbula, Commissioner/ Ato Eshetu Alemu, Deputy Director, NCIC, Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission
• Ato Tilahun Kebede, General Manager, Ethiopian Telecommunications Agency
• Dr Ing. Hailu Ayele, Vice President/ Ato Tesfaye Biru, SISA, Addis Ababa University
• Dr Hailemicheal Aberra, President, Ethiopian Civil Service College
• Ato Bekele Gebre Medhin, Prime Minister’s Office
• Ato Hussein Shibeshi, General Secretary, Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce
• Dr Ahmed Hussien, President, Ethiopian Information Technology Professionals Association (EITPA)
• Dr Lishan Adam, Regional ICT Advisor, UNECA
• Simon Ingram Hill, Abebe Chekol, British Council

• Simon Ingram-Hill, Conference Chair
  E-mail: Simon.Ingram-Hill@bc-addis.bcouncil.org
• Abebe Chekol, Conference Co-ordinator
  E-mail: Abebe.Chekol@bc-addis.bcouncil.org
• GBA Consultancy Ltd, Conference Organiser
  E-mail: GBACE@telecom.net.et
• Guy Girardet, Lead Conference Adviser
  E-mail: guy.girardet@hi-touch.ch

Conference Co-ordinator
Tel: 251-1-550022
Fax 251-1-552544
Email: Abebe.Chekol@bc-addis.bcouncil.org
Website: http://www.britishcouncil.org/ethiopia/