UNESCO International Conference and Exhibition on Knowledge Parks - Digital Opportunity Trust 26 March 2008

UNESCO International Conference and Exhibition on Knowledge Parks
by Emily Marks — last modified 2008-03-26 17:15
A three day event to demonstrate the value of knowledge parks and encourage sustainable partnership building within the arena of ICT for development, with particular emphasis on Africa, Arab States and Asia.
What
Knowledge Parks Conference
When
2008-03-29 09:00 to 2008-03-31 17:00
Where
Doha, Qatar
Attendees
Ms. Janet Longmore (President and CEO of DOT), Ms. Emily Marks (IT Communications Manager, DOT), Ms. Asma Ibrahim Abu Hussein (NetCorps Jordan Intern), Ms. Robina Guchu (DOT Kenya ReachUp! Intern), Mr Paul Akiki (NetCorps Lebanon Intern), Ms. Mentwab Abiy (former DOT Ethiopia ReachUp! Intern), Mr. David Thiberville (DOT USA TeachUp! Intern)
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DOT is very pleased to announce that we have recently been invited to partner with UNESCO and the Qatar Foundation at the International Conference and Exhibition on Knowledge Parks.
The main objectives of the conference are to:1. Raise awareness on how the ICT-based knowledge park experience could help in accelerating development
2. Review best practices in establishing and managing “ICT-based knowledge parks” in developed countries, with a special interest in leveraging their potential for developing countries
3. Generate partnerships between governments, civil society and the private sector for establishing a strategy to leverage modern ICTs and the knowledge park experienceJanet Longmore, the President of DOT, has been formally invited to speak at the event. We are also delighted to recognize five Interns who have been selected to participate at the conference as the 'young' global voice on ICT for development. To read their blogs about the conference, simply select their names highlighted in blue:
Ms Asma Ibrahim Abu Hussein is a 26 year old young lady from Jordan with a degree in IT who has proven to be an exemplary role model for her peers as an entrepreneurial agent of change in the education sector. Through her affiliation with NetCorps Jordan (NCJ), Asma received a valuable opportunity to gain practical work experience, develop her professional skills, strengthen her technical IT skills, and play an active role in giving back to the community. Asma was also invited to speak at a NCJ event where she prepared and presented herself as a case study reflecting on “The Internship Experience: An Intern’s Journey”. Asma has actively participated and made contributions to various youth engagement initiatives in her country.
Ms. Robina Guchu is from Kenya and is a graduate of the University of Nairobi with a degree in Economics and Sociology. Robina has enabled community participants of the DOT Kenya ReachUp! program to explore the possibilities of ICT through self-initiated projects of their own. Through facilitating these digital inclusion training programs, Robina has encouraged many community members to seek sustainable livelihoods.
Mr Paul Akiki is a young man living in the largest rural village in Lebanon who is currently teaching computer courses at several different schools. In addition to his wide knowledge computers, Paul is trilingual and speaks English, French and Arabic. Paul became a part of the NetCorps Lebanon and facilitated the delivery of the sustainable tourism programme experience, which impacted many communities. Paul’s deep interest in computer and information and technology led him to serve the communities in need towards better development.
Ms. Mentwab Abiy is a former DOT Ethiopia ReachUp! Intern who has taken her recent experience and education to begin a working career in ICT and development; she is now working for a high profile conference and events planning company working primarily with the UN’s ECA. Mentwab hopes to continue her work in ICT and rural development with a focus on infrastructure and health.
Mr. David Thiberville is from the USA and is an Elementary Education student at the University of New Orleans. David has made many outstanding contributions to the DOT USA TeachUp! program as an Intern working in schools and communities that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. His accomplishments include orchestrating a Tech Week for teachers, organizing a teacher technology committee, conducting an after school workshop on podcasting, and created a school wiki, which will be incorporated into DOT’s Intern training curriculum.
Expected participants of the conference include policy makers, young entrepreneurs, developmental banks and donor representatives, and ICT specialists. For more information, go to the conference