[WSIS CS-Plenary] [WSIS THETHA] Implementing the WSIS Action Plan, Nairobi, 25-26 March 2004

[Sean Moroney]

Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation
Implementing the WSIS Action Plan
A unique conference for policy-makers, ICT activists and action-oriented
private sector organizations

Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, 25-26 March 2004





Following the hectic pace and overwhelming volume of activities at WSIS
Geneva, it is important that organizations take time to reassess the vast
amount of outputs and project themes. The CTO conference will act as a
follow-up to WSIS, focusing on "Implementation and Best Practices".
Following a three-month gestation period, we should be able to make more
sense of WSIS outputs, by focusing on specific key topics in the relative
serenity of a comfortable resort on the outskirts of Nairobi. You will be
able to deliberate, plan and share common areas of interest. This event is
aimed at facilitating the journey to WSIS 2005 in a creative, constructive
way.



The conference will have the following objectives:



· Understanding and reviewing leading thinking and strategies on best
practices, which can be shared between key member groups. Review how other
stakeholders are going to approach similar goals and strategic objectives.

· How to develop action plans which cascade through the supply chain.

· Reviewing the role of stakeholder alliances between government, not for
profit organizations/NGOs and the private sector, reviewing key case studies
materials throughout the world, including a focus on procurement and the
supply chain.

· Uncover the challenges and opportunities of developing Private Finance
Initiatives.

· Assess how joint cross-border initiatives like skills and capacity
building can work. Is there a common roadmap to developing "e-citizen"
communities.

· Share common challenges on modernizing Government agendas in relation to
WSIS. Assess what external tools and resources exist which can support
stakeholders in this endeavour.

· How to enhance private sector investor commitment.



The programme will include the following sessions:



  1.. Implementing the WSIS Action Plan: The Challenge for Policy-Makers -
Ministers, deputy ministers and leading technocrats present latest policy
and project proposals. How can effective co-ordination be achieved across
all ministries involved in ICT implementation.


  2.. Implementing the WSIS Action Plan: The Challenge for Regulators -
Regulators and private sector operators share knowledge on best practices to
facilitate rapid roll-out of telecommunication services.


  3.. Implementing the WSIS Action Plan: The Challenge for Development
Partners - How can multilateral and bilateral institutions best respond to
the project and development opportunities currently multiplying in the
market?
  4.. Implementing the WSIS Action Plan: The Challenge for the Private
Sector: How can the private sector best respond to the lack of
communications infrastructure development, retarding Africa's participation
in the world economic system. The African Internet Service Providers
Association (AfrISPA) will lead this forum for private sector players to
develop a strategy for the development of affordable and efficient Internet
infrastructural development in Africa.


  5.. Implementing the WSIS Action Plan: The Role of Civil Society - NGOs,
church organizations, media, academia all have a vital role to play in
implementing the WSIS programme. How can diverse initiatives be effectives
co-ordinated in order to achieve optimum results?


  6.. Financing the WSIS Action Plan: The Role of Private Financial
Institutions and the Capital Markets; leveraging state funding to mobilise
private sector investment


  7.. Implementing the WSIS Action Plan across the Region: Understanding the
confluence of national and regional ICT projects and how they can best be
co-ordinated


Speaking Opportunities
Presentation proposals are invited, covering the topics outlined above.
Proposals should be sent to Sean Moroney, AITEC Africa
(sean at aitecafrica.com), including a brief outline and the presenter's CV
summary.



Sponsorship Opportunities

The CTO conference provides a unique opportunity to make a marketing impact
on leading policy-makers, regulators and government and private sector
decision-makers through the exclusive sponsorship opportunities available at
the conference. For details contact your AITEC representative.



Kenya National ICT Convention
The conference will coincide with the Kenya ICT National Convention over
22-26 March which is intended to develop a detailed consensus between
government, civil society and the private sector on the country's national
ICT policy. In addition, the Convention with showcase East African national
and regional ICT projects in order to attract donor support or private
sector investment, this conference is not limited to region or country.



The conference and the Convention will be opened with a combined plenary
session on the morning of 22 March. Other combined activities will be a
welcoming cocktail party on 22 March and a dinner on 23 March.



Safari Park Hotel provides a five-star residential conference facility with
a relaxed environment in a semi-bush setting (see www.safaripark-hotel.com).
AITEC Africa has been appointed by CTO to organise the conference. For
further details, contact Sean Moroney, +44-1480-495595; sean at aitecafrica.com

To register as a delegate log on to www.aitecafrica.com

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