The Role of Partnership for Community Development Knowledge Station Example Bridging The Digital Divide E. Nasser Khalaf K.S Project Director

The Hashemite Kingdom Of Jordan Population : 5.2 million Literacy Rate : 89% Unemployment Rate : 15% Income Per Capita :1700 $ Women Participation in ICT : 20%

The Digital Divide In Jordan 11.9 % Jordan internet Penetration 39.70% Intention to Buy a PC 21.6 % JHH Own PC 19.40% Irbid 15.40% Zarqa 18.30% Other Governorates 20.10% West Amman 26.80% East Amman Internet Users / Region Urban Users Rural Users

King ’ s Vision “ We will [ensure that] everybody is computer- literate. Every single school and community will be wired to be able to do that, simply because this is the type of quality and talent that we want in our work force ”

Mission Establish Information Technology Community Centers throughout the Kingdom that would:  Create ICT awareness among all Jordanians  Train Jordanians with new age  ICT skills  Provide ICT access to all Jordanians

Objectives Bridging the digital divide : »Between urban & rural areas »Community based Human Resource Development. »Promote capacity building for the community in the development process leading to less dependence on central government. Compliment other national initiatives »e-government »Connecting Jordanians »Enhanced Productivity Program »ex-servicemen training initiative. »Overall national ICT strategy

Project Organization –Established a Royal Commission for IT Community Centers headed by H.E the Minister of Education and composed of four principle partners: » - United Nations Development Program » - National Information Tech. Center » - Ministry of Planning » - Badia Development Program – Responsibilities include: » - Formulating a strategy and action plan for implementation » - Assigning the executing agency (NIC) » - Identifying financial resources » - Facilitating the initiatives requirements/requests » - Monitoring progress of the initiative - A Project Management Unit (PMU) was established within the NITC

Action Plan criteria’s where used to select the locations of the centers & Partners Cover all areas in the kingdom Population density Available infrastructure The presence of an established and capable host organization

Implementation 144 centers are being established in Five separate phases » Phase 1: 20 centers » Phase 2: 21 centers » Phase 3: 36 centers » Phase 4: 45 centers » Phase 5: 28 centers To date 144 centers are operational

Intended Development No. Of Centers Phase IPhase II Phase III The backbone of the national network + Computer awareness Wider Network and More Use Of IT Applications Open Goal More ICT applications utilized for enhancing social-economic development Time Current Status

Knowledge Station Partner The Gov. Of Jordan UNDP UNV / UNITeS a) Ministry of Education.b) Ministry of Planning.c) The National Info. Center. Internet connectivity. Financial Support. Reduce tariffs for users. Coordinate with the RCITCC Facilitate the implementation. Executing Agency. The implementing agencies could be other government institutions, private sector entities Or civil society institutions. Will be responsible for the overall management of the JITCC and will be accountable to For ensuring that the main objectives are met. They will provide both administrative and Technical staff including a JITCC manager and will have to coordinate with the NIC. Provide Project Coordinator. Bookkeeping and the settlement of equipment and other set-up costs. Tap into experience of the sustainable development project (SDNP). Best lessons learned could be useful for the best impl. Of this project. a) United Nations Volunteers (UNVs) : is a multi-sectoral agency directed by the UNDP Focus on the local and community level Will provide 10 national volunteers/specialists to strengthen the capacity of the center and will assist the community members in the Use of IT. b) UNITeS : will provide technical support in IT. Plays one of the most essential roles in the promotion and the success of the JITCC modality in Jordan. The private sector will have a strong commitment to increasing Computer literacy within these communities. Implementing Agencies The Private Sector

Services Offered in Centres Current: –Walk in internet access –Walk in ICT support access (printers, faxes..etc) –E-learning/English language skills –Pilot social development services (leadership training, special needs…etc) –Training (basic computer literacy, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet, AutoCAD…etc –Business development services (instant commodity prices, Business Consultancy ) Future: –E-Services including ICT social development services (e-health and gender related programs) –E-government training –Business incubators ( Local, Privet Sector, NGO,International Partners )

Results No. Of Courses Offered since 2000 : 9456 No. Of People Trained since 2000 : % Women 47% Men

Internet Users No. Of Internet Users since 2001 : No. Of People used eServices since 2001 : % Women 58% Men

for Future Development The KS initiative has evolved into a pioneering reference in bridging digital divides. It is becoming an example to follow by many countries in the region. It has uniquely positioned Jordan as a regional leader in the ICT arena. We are planning to make the centers self sustainable. We want them to pursue an aggressive marketing promotion strategy to attract clients. Centers not capable of self sustainability will be supported and subsidized. In the less populated areas satellite centers will be established to offer the services needed. ( Partnership with other national institute ) The strategy entails building the capacity of local community host organizations such as youth clubs, municipal entities and NGO’s to allow them to assume a lead role in the future development of their communities.

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