Joint OECD/UN/World Bank Global Forum: Integrating ICT in Development Programmes

The forum's objective was better co-ordination and integration of ICT for development in Official Development Assistance programmes as a strategic, cross-cutting theme in support of countries' own strategic plans. The organizers sought to "improve understanding of the policy challenges and opportunities of ICT for development;" highlight best practices to share the benefits of ICT as a tool for development and to link the seizing of digital opportunities to the attainment of development objectives; "and clarify the roles of the various stakeholders; including partnerships between them." The website includes papers on ICT in Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers of the World Bank, Examples of ICT in National Development Plans, International Initiatives Concerning ICTs and Development, How ICTs can help achieve the Milleniium Development Goals, Donor Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Strategies, Resources on Evaluation of ICT-Related Programmes & Projects, and "Knowledge makes the difference between Poverty & Wealth". The meeting was held March, 2003, and was seen as preparatory for the WSIS.