1 Open Session International Organization for Standardization

2 Open Session Information Developing Countries Future Challenges Dr. Yaseen Khayyat JSMO Director General Open Session Work Oslo, 16 September 2010

3 Open Session Information Developing Countries - Future Challenges Outline IT Challenges to Developing Countries Tackling IT Challenges Impacts and Benefits of IT in Developing Countries IT JSMO IT Systems & JSMO Work in JSMO JSMO Website IT JSMO

4 Open Session Overview IT is essential for open competition, sustainable development and for enabling development needs. There are disparities in access to IT, OECD countries have the highest access, then South Asian and some African countries. Technological developments in IT can bridge the ‘digital divide’. Internet usage has grown from 0.03% of inhabitants in developing countries in 1994 to 6.7% in 2009.

5 Open Session IT Challenges to Developing Countries IT Challenges to Developing Countries Physical access : IT products not designed to meet the needs of the poor or those in remote areas. Cost: of IT applications, software and maintenance is unaffordable to many potential users. Education: many who have IT access do not have technical skills to benefit from IT. Language: literacy is a problem, while those who read may not be able to read English which dominate the Internet. Human resources: migration of skilled IT professionals from developing to developed countries. Lack of regulatory framework for IT can limit IT uptake, e.g. import tariffs on IT equipment.

6 Open Session Tackling IT Challenges Technological developments: new technologies increase access to IT. Role of industry: invest in developing IT solutions. Role of national governments: concrete policies and strategies ensure the adoption of IT. Role of Professional associations : enhance the IT knowledge of workers. Role of International organizations: provide IT capacity building programs. Role of statistical /research centers: measure IT implementation, identify factors that obstruct IT adoption and assess their impact.

7 Open Session Impact of IT on Developing Countries Economic growth: IT leads to competitiveness, innovation, product development and productivity, contributing to economic development. Social development: Productivity and competitiveness generate wealth, lowers poverty and increase social development. Cultural development: Social development leads to cultural development. Intellectual Property Rights: knowledge may be exploited without respect to IPR. Environment: IT results in electronic waste and energy consumption. Gender equality: IT improves gender equality in education and empowers females in their future careers.

8 Open Session IT JSMO JSMO IT architecture consist of one LAN with nine servers. JSMO has a backup software and backup library. IT architecture provides high availability, redundancy, security, flexibility and enhanced capacity.

9 Open Session JSMO IT Systems & Applications Electronic Document Management System: a web based system integrated with Windows applications and using simple folders with security and access permissions, where standardization working documents, draft standards and published standards are stored. A workflow for Process Management: Core and supporting processes are automated. Daily transactions are executed through the workflow. A Database system including a Jordanian Standards Database.

10 Open Session Jordanian Standards Database

11 Open Session Work in JSMO JSMO is used for: Exchange of electronic correspondence. Management of national standards development activities. Participation in international standardization. Web store of ISO standards and others.

12 Open Session JSMO Website JSMO Web site provide information in English and Arabic languages including: Information on JSMO and its memberships, Catalogue of JS, ISO 9000/14000/22000 register, FAQ and Web store. JSMO is currently developing an internal and external e- portal for:  content management, project collaboration and multi-platform search and navigation.  A single point of access to information and e-services.  Access to all systems from one place.

13 Open Session IT JSMO Alert System for Selective Dissemination of up-to- date information on standardization Electronic Catalogue Current awareness on all new published standards ISO and JS Answering inquiries Customized lists of current standards classified by ICS sectors, development stage, status, etc.

14 Open Session Thank you for your attention