| Date: 16/05/2012 Time: 12:27:00 PM |
It is imperative the Arab World jumps on the wagon
of future-making and internet-based and internet-facilitated initiatives and
jump on board with all UN and international programs to guarantee an Arab
share of the sought fair information society, an expert told KUNA Wednesday.
The remark was made by Arab Information and Communication Technologies
Organization (AICTO) Secretary General Khedija Hamouda Ghariani, on the
sidelines of the ongoing 2012 Forum of the World Summit on the Information
Society (WSIS 2012) here.
The official said "internet and communication technology is either directly
or indirectly embedded in our daily lives now, and influences even those not
using it. It is a must, therefore, that Arab states and NGOs take part in the
action in this field."
The expert cited many challenges that come with the technology, such as
security threats that stop at no political borders, and the just as critical
challenge of boosting Arab content online in both quality and quantity to
serve the interest of Arab peoples.
Facing the boom in this field, countries are seeking to adjust and catch up
each according to its resources and priorities. The Arab World has to make the
connections between the boom in communications technology and the great flux
in the region "where social media played a major role in the so-called Arab
Spring."
"The burgeoning boom in communications and information technology in the
Arab World reflected the aspirations of Arab youth to freedom, dignity, and
democracy, none of which is possible without providing decent employment
opportunities."
Ghariani stressed "this sector opens a wide horizon of jobs for youth with
so many ideas and programs that could easily bloom into mega projects, if only
provided with the adequate development tools."
Under the umbrella of Arab League, AICO keeps a close eye on developments
relating to the internet and communications technology, and cooperates with
International Telecommunications Union, the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS), and EU information technology bodies.
AICTO was founded through a resolution by Arab League in its regular
session in Amman in 2001. Among its objectives is encouraging Arab and foreign
investment in the field of communications and information technology in the
Arab region and disseminating information on this sector to lure investors and
help create partnerships.
It also assigns great priority to encouraging Arab expertise and talent in
relevant specialties to work and invest in the Arab World and help introduce
Arab communities to the great potential in this area and encourage them to
engage in its initiatives more boldly. |