Céad Míle Fáilte, 100,000 Welcomes to Ireland for this important event. This is only the second Euro-Mediterranean ICT Ministerial meeting – the first one took place in 1996. When one considers the changes in ICT which have taken place since then – it is clear that this event is long overdue.
I believe that any forum that promotes collective discussion among European and Mediterranean countries on any subject to be of utmost importance in building partnerships.
With increased partnership there exists an opportunity to further develop and exploit our existing strengths, create and develop innovative ones and generate a web of valuable relationships.
Today we focus on the most important aspect of any successful ICT related initiative - the element of human capacity development. It is the key building block to developing a vibrant, innovative and sustainable Information Society.
As we all recognise, ICTs play a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of any country. Ireland is a good example of the impact the ICT industry has on an economy.
The Irish ICT industry alone generates revenues of €51 billion annually, accounting for more than a quarter of all Irish exports.
Internationally, Ireland is now considered an example of a country that has moved in a very short space of time from an agrarian economy to the cusp of a knowledge economy.
Because of this, many countries, in various stages of development, look to us to learn from our experience. Only recently and on separate occasions, we have had the honour and pleasure to welcome a number of high-level delegations from our Mediterranean partners for successful visits.
Among them His Majesty, King Abdullah of Jordan. During meetings, discussion points centred on ICT and ICT as an enabler of social and economic development.
Arising from this interest and the recognition and belief that by sharing knowledge we can collectively develop and grow our nations, Ireland is actively developing an ICT for Development program focussed on developing human capacity. The key building blocks of this program include:
Membership and support of UN Secretary General Annan’s ICT Task Force. Later this week I will host the Eighth meeting of this Task Force and Global Forum, which will have focus on capacity building, education, youth and multi-stakeholder partnership.
The second element is our strong participation in the UN World Summit on the Information Society process. I am personally delighted to see this event taking place in the Mediterranean region. I look forward to our Tunisian colleague giving an update on this important Summit later this morning.
The hosting of the recently established United Nations Global eSchools and Communities Initiative, which was launched by Mrs. Annan. This is a joint initiative between Ireland, Canada, Switzerland and Sweden and is supported by the European Commission. It will facilitate planning and execution of national and regional ICT in Education initiatives in emerging and developing world countries. I am pleased to see that this initiative will assist the EuroMED partnership as we explore and support the development of a regional wide Mediterranean ‘ICT in Education’ initiative.
We are also in the process of setting up a Centre of ICT for Development. This Centre will focus on two core components of human capacity development in the areas of ICT for education and ICT for telecom regulation. I am pleased to announce that the Centre’s initial geographical focus will be the Middle East region.
Ireland is also supporting the United Nations as they undertake a comprehensive organisational reform agenda, which includes a specific focus on the effective use of IT.
I consider that core to realising the true benefit of ICTs is a focus on their potential for the development of human capacities and social inclusion. Our involvement must focus on this to ensure that there is no “Digital Divide”. One core sector for investment is Education.
I believe that we must use ICT to an even greater extent in education to deliver a more effective education system.
Also, as we discuss the value of ICT integration into our economic and social sectors we should stress the importance of developing e-strategies that are closely linked to broader and more comprehensive development strategies. In Europe, the e-Europe Action Plan has been a catalyst for co-ordinated actions across Member States.
The significance of addressing ICT in these strategies cannot be under-estimated, especially as technologies become ubiquitous in many aspects of our lives. Indeed as part of our own strategy Ireland is investing €700 million in Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish Government’s agency for research and development in ICTs and biotechnology.
Another key lesson that I have learnt in Ireland is that for investment to occur, it is essential that a foundation of economic and social stability exist. Today, our meeting takes place on the border region with Northern Ireland. This area has experience at first hand the effects violence can have on a region’s development.
Only in the absence of violence can the proper environment be created, attracting investment, creating jobs and generating a vibrant, secure and prosperous society for all. Underpinning the development I have witnessed in recent years has also been a change in mindset and practice of partnership and inclusion.
From our own experience in making peace in Ireland, I believe that the challenge of any peace process is to look to the future, think of our children.
In Ireland, we consider that we must continue to remain competitive and attract the high-value, knowledge-oriented jobs that are so important to creating a knowledge society. We are adamant that ICTs and ICT based skills are key to helping us tap into our capacity to compete and deliver on this. They are key because they allow us to encourage the development of global citizens with the knowledge, resources, passion and the relationships to look externally and participate fully in global developments.
It is tremendously important that we understand and address the role of ICT in moving our countries forward. I hope that the presentations and discussions to follow will help highlight some of the key issues in making this happen. I look forward to us working together in identifying and taking ownership of these shared challenges.
On a final note, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the European Commission for their assistance in organising this event. The Commission is leading and supporting innovative and influential ICT for development related initiatives within the context of the EuroMED partnership.
I also hope that what we start today will be built upon in the weeks and months ahead. As mentioned, the last EuroMED ICT Ministerial took place in 1996. Let’s not wait another nine years until we as ICT Ministers meet again. I will be raising this issue at the next European Union Telecom Council to ensure that this is recognised and support is forthcoming to move ahead.
Let us start to nurture new relationships and strengthen existing ones. Ireland is ready to engage and partner with you. We look forward to working together to capture and share the potential of ICTs for our mutual development.
ENDS