Catalog

	Table of Contents
p. 19 of 23 BACK | NEXT Executive Summary I. Introduction II. The Information Revolution III. Need for an ADB Strategic Approach for ICT IV. Strategic Thrusts V. Proposed Action Plan A. Undertake E-Readiness Assessment B. Integrate ICT Applications in ADB’s Activities C. Promote Partnerships D. Establish a Center for Learning, Information, Communication, and Knowledge for Asia and the Pacific VI. Implications for ADB

Toward E-Development in Asia and the Pacific: A Strategic Approach for Information and Communication Technology : V. Proposed Action Plan

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D. Establish a center for learning, information, communication, and knowledge for Asia and the Pacific

41. In the knowledge economy, a premium has been added to education and intellectual capital, facilitated through ICT. Therefore, improvement in dissemination and use of information and knowledge for development through ICT, especially in Asia and the Pacific, should be one of the priorities for DMCs and ADB. To disperse such knowledge and best practices and facilitate access to existing ICT-based systems and experiments for possible replication in DMCs, a regional center for learning, information, communication, and knowledge for Asia and the Pacific (CLICK) might be established through ADB. The CLICK can be initially housed within ADB to implement a program that widely disseminates and produces value-added information products and services using ADB’s reservoir of information and knowledge for development acquired in lending and technical assistance operations. The CLICK will provide E-advisory services based on ADB’s expertise through a specialized web site, and promote the use of ICT-based distance learning (E-learning) and communication systems (networks, teleconferencing), on a cost-sharing basis when possible, to improve DMC institutional and human capacity for timely access, use, and sharing of information on development.

42. Initially, information content for the CLICK will focus on development issues related to Asia and the Pacific and on an Asian perspective of world development and poverty reduction. Information content will primarily be provided and developed by ADB; ADB’s comparative advantage consists of knowledge, valuable publications, and documents produced as a result of extensive technical assistance and experience in implementing projects in different development areas, as well as lessons learned in the Asia and Pacific region. ADB has also developed specialized courses, which can be on-line, for its DMCs, e.g., procurement and disbursement procedures, consulting services, and law and development. The CLICK must also establish hyperlinks to local and global ICT-based information services provided to different sectors in the DMCs, e.g., agriculture (market prices, weather forecasts for farmers and fisherfolk), health (telemedicine and health advisory), education (training opportunities, on-line courses), and governance (E-governance).

43. The proposed CLICK will establish and develop network connections, where possible, with existing initiatives (e.g., ASEAN, Global Disaster Information Network, UNDP, and World Bank Global Development Learning Network); and be a demonstration center to showcase facilitation of communication, and methods to increase learning opportunities and knowledge exchange for development practitioners within and outside the region. It will also provide a place where the use, dissemination, and adoption of ICT will be available and on display for visiting officials from DMCs and ADB-sponsored workshops and seminar participants, and will enhance the ICT-related knowledge within ADB²⁴. CLICK implementation should provide useful experience for replication in DMCs, as well as development of partnerships with existing ICT-related initiatives.

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