Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Monday, 24 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 December 2002. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Thursday, 19 December 2002 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will make a statement on the progress of the work of the United Nations Development Programme in information and communications technology. - Includes figure.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress of the work of the United Nations Development Programme in information and communications technology. [64978] Clare Short: UNDP has been active in the field of information communication technology (ICT) since 1993 in close to 90 countries through a combination of global, regional and national programmes. In the initial phases of its work, UNDP's focus was largely on creating awareness, building capacity, and supporting ICT for development at the community and national level. The focus has now widened following discussions with UNDP's Executive Board in June 2001. UNDP now includes assisting countries with ICT for development policies, the formulation and implementation of prioritised national e-development strategies. Other programme initiatives which signify further progress are that of ICT to enhance democratic governance (e-governance), economic and social development (for example, micro finance, e-business, ICT to support local development) at local and national levels.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 396 c906-7W;396 c904-5W; 64978
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: ICT International assistance Telecommunications UN Development Programme
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk