Plan of Action – Geneva 2003

C.    Action Lines

C1.    The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development

8.    The effective participation of governments and all stakeholders is vital in developing the Information Society requiring cooperation and partnerships among all of them.

a)    Development of national e-strategies, including the necessary human capacity building, should be encouraged by all countries by 2005, taking into account different national circumstances. 

b)    Initiate  at  the  national  level  a  structured  dialogue  involving  all  relevant  stakeholders, including through public/private partnerships, in devising e-strategies for the Information Society and for the exchange of best practices.

c)    In developing and implementing national e-strategies, stakeholders should take into consideration local, regional and national needs and concerns. To maximize the benefits of initiatives undertaken, these should include the concept of sustainability. The private sector should be engaged in concrete projects to develop the Information Society at local, regional and national levels.

d)    Each country is encouraged to establish at least one functioning Public/Private Partnership (PPP) or Multi-Sector Partnership (MSP), by 2005 as a showcase for future action.

e)    Identify mechanisms, at the national, regional and international levels, for the initiation and promotion of partnerships among stakeholders of the Information Society.

f)    Explore the viability of establishing multi-stakeholder portals for indigenous peoples at the national level.

g)    By 2005, relevant international organizations and financial institutions should develop their own strategies for the use of ICTs for sustainable development, including sustainable production and consumption patterns and as an effective instrument to help achieve the goals expressed in the United Nations Millennium Declaration. 

h)    International organizations should publish, in their areas of competence, including on their website, reliable information submitted by relevant stakeholders on successful experiences of mainstreaming ICTs.

i)    Encourage a series of related measures, including, among other things: incubator schemes, venture capital investments (national and international), government investment funds (including microfinance for Small, Medium-sized and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs)), investment promotion strategies, software export support activities (trade counseling), support of research and development networks and software parks.