Consultation report with the South African Development Community (SADC) and the World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum Steering Committee on Policies and Strategies was invited in June 2001 by regulators from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to participate and share perspectives in a consultative e-readiness process. The result of the process is this action framework entitled, which was presented by the Steering Committee on Policies and Strategies as a deliverable to the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2002.

The report focuses on SADC-specific policies and recommendations, but the methodology can be replicated in other areas of the world, and the research can be customized to reflect the realities of other specific areas. The concepts included in this report have emerged from a dialogue with experts in the fields of information technology and regulation. The aim was to engage an international consultative effort throughout all stages, with the goal of establishing a clear and consistent strategy for achieving e-readiness. The report therefore forms the first stage of a wider approach by the Steering Committee on Policies and Strategies to pursue e-readiness consultations on a global scale.

The Steering Committee on Policies and Strategies commissioned Bridges.org with managing the consultative process and drafting the report.

 

Table of contents of the report
Message and Acknowledgements
Preface
Contents
Executive Summary
1 Introduction:The Promise of ICT for the Developing World 1.1 Roadmap to This Report 2 SADC Regional Overview of e-Readiness 3 Recommendations for Concrete Actions to Improve e-Readiness in SADC Countries 3.1 Overall Best Practice Recommendations
3.1.1 Policy Framework
3.1.2 Infrastructure
3.1.3 Ground-level Initiatives 3.2 Summary of Country Specific Recommendations 4 Delivering e-Readiness:Perspectives and Processes for SADC Member States 4.1 Overview of the Path Towards e-Readiness 4.2 Best Practices for Achieving e-Readiness 5 Conclusions Annexes
Annex 1: Overview of the SADC-World Economic Forum e-Readiness Consultation
Annex 2: Overview of the Current Status of e-Readiness in Each SADC Country
Annex 3: Overview of the Current Economic Situation in Each SADC Country
Annex 4: Recommended Actions in the Areas of Policy, Infrastructure and Ground-level
Projects for Each SADC Country
Annex 5: International Donor Agencies with ICT-related Interests