ISSUE 2

COMNET-IT Events

Recent Events

"Containing the Millennium Bug" - Malta, September 1998

This event was reported in Issue 1 of COMNET-IT Forum. Follow-up activities organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and COMNET-IT are reported in this issue and include funding opportunities.

"Best Practice in Electronic Government" - Malaysia, December 1998

International Conference on Knowledge and Diplomacy (29-31 January, 1999) and Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy and I.T. (introductory course, 29th January to 10th February, 1999). These activities were organised by the Mediterranean Academy for Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) in association with COMNET-IT. From a modest workshop format in 1995 this training material has grown in stature and reputation to a post-graduate diploma, probably one of the first - if the not the first - of its kind worldwide. Following an introductory two-week familiarisation course in Malta a number of diplomats will now be following a distance-learning programme over two semesters leading to the award of a post-graduate diploma by the Malta University in December, 1999 - see web sites:

• www.diplomacy.edu/diploedu
• conf.diplomacy.edu/knowledge/

Forthcoming Events

"ICT Strategies for Islands and Small States" an international workshop in Malta, 17-19 March 1999; co-sponsored by the Commonwealth Secretariat and UNESCO; organised with the Malta National Commission for IT and the Institute for Islands and Small States, Malta University. The objectives are:

• >To sensitise islands and small states to the crucial need for ICT strategy formulation and implementation.
• Identify specialists, funding and technological resources which could be used for national ICT development.
• Discuss and identify models for the organisation of Internet user consortia enabling common interest groups to secure quality services on cost-effective terms.
• Endeavour to establish mechanisms and modalities which will facilitate the exchange of ideas, experiences, financial and technological resources for national ICT strategy formulation and implementation.

COMNET-IT Members Conference

To be held in London (new date to be announced).

G8 Government Online meeting

To be held in Washington 19-21 April 1999.

The first Africa Development Forum

Will be held on the 25 to the 29th October, 1999, on the theme: Africa: The challenge of Globalisation and the Information Age. This event is sponsored by the UN Economic Commission for Africa, in partnership with Africa Development Bank.

Johannesburg Computer Faire 99

Johannesburg, South Africa 11-15 May 1999 = 20th largest market for IT in the world.
Tel: +27 11 789 3734 Fax: +27 11 789 6562