Towards a Pacific ICT Strategy

Sai Lealea

http://www.minpac.govt.nz/

Outline

• Rationale.
• SWOT.
• E-initiatives.
• Key Areas.
• A Strategy.
• Your Thoughts.

Rationale
Government vision “Knowledge society”. Digital divide flow on effects. ICT as Pacific capacity building tool. Connected peoples = connected community. Inclusive Society

SWOT

Challenges:

• Low level of connectedness in phone & Internet.
• (1 in 5 Pacific cf 4 in 10 nationally).
• Network capacity & reliability.
• Low IT participation rate.
• Negative attitude to IT.
• (30% Maori, 43% Pacific, 37% aged 50-64 -(MSP survey).

Plusses:

• Top ten in the world for Internet access.
• High per capita spending on IT.
• High use of EFTPOS & ATM.
• Growth in SeniorNet training.
• Community & regional development link.
• Community Access Centres.

E-initiatives

• Knowledge Society.
• E-Govt.
• E-Citizen.
• E-Commerce.

Key Areas

• Access– infrastructure and financial.
• Education and Training.
• Motivation.
• Content.

A Strategy

Your Thoughts

• Nature of “divide”.
• Vision.
• Role of Community.
• Role of Government.

E-Visions

E-Govt:

Nzers able to gain access to Govt info & services & participate in our democracy using the Internet & technologies as they emerge.

E-Commerce:

NZ will be world class in embracing e-commerce for competitive advantage.

E-Citizen:

All Nzers, individuals, or communities have the opportunity to access & effectively use current & emerging ICT.

E-Pacific

• Knowledge Society.
• E-Govt.
• E-Citizen.
• E-Commerce.
• E- Pacific.