|
The United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized jointly with the Centre for the Study of
Democracy a Seminar on September 20, 2001 at the National Palace of
Culture, in Sofia to launch the 6th global Human Development Report
2001, and a roundtable discussion of Information and Communications
Technologies (ICT) for development in Bulgaria.
An annual event since 1990, the publication of the
UNDP-commissioned Human Development Report was focused on a
different theme concerned with human development, and the objective
of stimulating debate on improving the quality of life of peoples
worldwide. This year the Report emphasizes on making new
technologies work for human development, and it carries with itself
a particular resonance since the CSD and UNDP have facilitated a
cross-sectoral initiative looking at the role of ICT in Bulgarian
society, not only as an engine of economic growth but also as a
vehicle for creating an environment which will sustain human
development.
The initiative, which started in February 2001, has
come under the broad umbrella of donor co-ordination and
consultation involving the Government, donors, private sector
actors and NGOs. One outcome of this has been the production of an
Issues Paper on ICT for development policy for Bulgaria.
The main findings of this paper were presented at
this launch and a discussion was held on the potential of ICT in
Bulgaria as a driver for social and economic development.
Government officials, Regional Governors and Mayors,
representatives of the donor community, parliamentarians,
representatives from the private sector, NGOs and members of the
academic community attended the event.
As part of the launch and broader discussion the
following speakers made interventions and provided comments: H.E.
Plamen Petrov, Minister of Transport and Communications, Ms. Dafina
Gercheva, UNDP Officer-in-Charge, CSD President Dr. Ognian Shentov,
Mr. Ulrich Boes, Director, Information Technology and Business
Consultancy, Mr. Krassimir Benevski, UNDP Information Technology
Officer.
See The Global Human Development Report 2001
See
Seminar Agenda
|
