Sheraton Golf Parco De' Medici, Rome, Italy (21-23 May 2003)
The Global Knowledge Partnership held its Annual Meeting in Rome, Italy from 21-23 May 2003.
More than 100 representatives from GKP member organizations and specially invited guests attended the event. Overall, 71 organizations from 38 countries were present. The Annual Meeting was graciously hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Reflecting the multistakeholder composition and philosophy of the Partnership, participants came from the public, private and civil society sectors. All regions were represented: Africa (8.3%), Asia (22.9%), Central & Eastern Europe (2.8%), Central & South America (3.7%), North America (9.2%), Oceania (4.6%) and Western Europe (48.6%). The full list of participants can be viewed at http://www.globalknowledge.org/am2003
22 new GKP members were introduced at the Annual Dinner, raising the total of GKP members to 69.
The GKP Executive Committee (2003-2004/5), which began its term on 1 May 2003, had its first meeting in Rome prior to the Annual Meeting and was also formally introduced to the Partnership. The latest line-up of office bearers are the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) - Switzerland (Chair), National Information Technology Council (NITC) of Malaysia, Information Technology and Telecom International (ITNTI) - Nepal, International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD) The Netherlands, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) - Canada, Omar Dengo Foundation Costa Rica, Propoor Infotech Centre - India, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
A dynamic sharing of ideas and opinions was seen during the sessions, which focused on the Impact of ICT on Poverty Reduction, Models for Financing ICT4D programmes and projects, Reflection on Multi-stakeholder Partnerships and WSIS, ICT & Youth and the exciting ICT4D Platform which will be organized jointly by the GKP and the Government of Switzerland in conjunction with the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva, Switzerland from 9-13 December 2003.
All presentations shared at the GKP Annual Meeting can be downloaded at http://www.globalknowledge.org/am2003
At the meeting, GKP members applauded the collective activities of the Partnership last year and wholeheartedly endorsed the Annual Report 2002. A .pdf version of the report can be obtained at http://www.globalknowledge.org/publications .
As an outcome of the meeting, two working groups will be formed. One will explore workable models for financing ICT4D initiatives and the other will work on enhancing the GKP Virtual Marketplace (http://www.globalknowledge.org/vm), the partnerships online platform for trading and posting information on ICT4D opportunities. GKP members who wish to join the working groups may indicate their interest to the GKP Secretariat at gkps@gkpsecretariat.org.my .
It was agreed at the meeting that a consultation will be made with members to determine the role of the GKP after the WSIS Summit in Geneva (2003) in preparation for the WSIS Summit in Tunis (2005). In addition, the GKP will look into establishing a Youth Fund to finance youth initiatives in ICT4D. GKP will also intensify its outreach in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in the Middle East and North Africa.
The meeting received coverage from the Italian and international press. Mr Walter Fust, GKP Chair and Ms Rinalia Abdul Rahim, GKP Executive Director were interviewed on the poverty-reducing potential of ICT and the overall efforts of the GKP towards development.
The next GKP Annual Meeting will be held in the Latin America and Caribbean region in May 2004.
More info : www.globalknowledge.org
Summary useful links related to GKP Annual Meeting 2003
1. Annual Meeting Program & Presentations - please click here
2. Annual Meeting Report - please click here
3. List of participants - please click here
4. Photo Gallery - please click here
5. Annual Meeting Documents
- (* restricted access documents - please view footnote below)
- The Minutes of Meeting of the GKP Annual Meeting (Closed Session, Members Only) click here * For GKP Member Review
- Annual Report 2002 - PDF Document (2MB) *
- Budget 2003 - Excel Document (25.5KB) *
- Events Calendar 2003 - Word Document 43.5KB) *
- The GKP Portal - A Virtual Presence - Powerpoint Document (5.9MB) *
6. Various GKP Guidelines endorsed by EXCOMM (GKP Members Only)
- (* restricted access documents - please view footnote below)
- GKP Governance Formulation - Word Document (78.5KB) *
- GKP Guidelines on Membership Issues - Word Document (68.5KB) *
- GKP Guidelines on Regional Networking - Word Document (60.5KB) *
- Guidelines: GKP Event Branding - Word Document (43.5KB) *
- Guidelines: Use of GKP Promotional/Communication Tools and Materials - Word Document (35KB) *
- Guidelines: Acknowledgement of Sponsors on the GKP Portal - Word Document (28.5KB) *
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* Footnote explaination:
Restricted Access: Certain resource documents listed in this page are restricted to users of the GKP Portal with username/password access. If you have been given a pair of Username/Password, please proceed to login. If you have forgotten your username/password, please click on "Forgot Password", enter your Email address and your password will be immediately mailed to you. If you have further queries and wish to contact the Global Knowledge Partnership Secretariat, please click here: gkps@gkpsecretariat.org.my
