-- a Commonwealth Perspective

Role of Government

As the role of national governments is critical in the promotion of the application of ICTs, government should undertake the development of a policy framework and strategy for the implementation of such technologies taking cognisance of a structured approach to carry our the following:

• Develop a Strategy for a National Information Society

• Develop a Common Framework for the Application of ICTs

• Develop a Mission for ICTs in support of International Trade & Investment

• Undertake the Development of the ICT Strategic Plan for International Trade and Investment.

Aware of the potential impact of ICTs to foster a social transformation and to effect a paradigm shift in the mode of doing things, Delegates recommended that Governments undertake the preparation of a cross-sectoral ICT policy framework. Such strategic implementation frameworks need to be developed with full participation of all sectors in civil society, including both public and private sectors, academia, and labour and should be applied with the needs of all sectors of the economy, including business, health, education, agriculture and social services

Governments should undertake the establishment of the legal framework which would aim to facilitate the full application of ICTs. Critical issues in the development of such a framework should include the following:

• Provision of Open Access

• Provision of Universal Access

• Protection of Privacy

• Protection of Intellectual Property Rights

• Guarantee of Security

• Promotion of Full Transparency.

In the development of the strategy, Governments must also be concerned with such issues as national trade policies and the wide dissemination of benefits.