The Deputy Minister of Communications, Ms Dina Pule, undertook a mission to Mexico, with a purpose of attending the International Telecommunications Union Plenipotentiary Conference (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference which resumed from 4 to 22 October 2010. The Deputy Minister has attended a round table discussion of women leaders in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector under the burner of the Global Network of Women Decision Markers. This is a special group of women whose representation includes women Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and women CEOs and ITU women leaders. This engagement resolved that the ITU must be persuaded to hold a special day for women in ICTs.
During the discussions, the women leaders also pledged to create an environment where young women in particular may be assisted to enter the ICT sector whilst finding suitable careers in the sector in the medium to long term. The end goal is to ensure that women are represented at high-level decision making structures of ICT Sector such as ITU itself, as well as in governments, private sector and in the sector in general. Some of the suggested initiatives may include projects and programmes such as the creation of women’s network which can provide support for women as well as projects targeted at supporting young women broadly.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister has held strategic discussions with other participating Ministers and experts on the roll out of broadband especially in rural areas. This follows a launch of the Broadband Commission by the Secretary-General of the ITU Dr Hamadoun Tourè earlier this year as a leadership imperative. Broadband infrastructure is expected to propel the use of ICTs especially content platforms to grow steadily in the next few years and supporting socio-economic development.
The challenge faced by the developing countries relates to ensuring that broadband connectivity is expanded to the rural areas, as well as building confidence in the use of technologies to improve livelihood, not only for transmitting information and knowledge to the citizens but also to ensure that ICTs assist in the delivery of government services, health and education.
Critical to these discussions is the sharing of best practices on the broadband roll-out in developing countries which may be applied in other countries particularly in Africa. South Africa’s broadband penetration remains very low, at around two percent, and the department is keen to learn strategies on how to fast-track its broadband initiatives to support schools, hospitals and government.
The Deputy Minister Pule is taking views from several expects on the issue including experiences from the government of Mexico. The other issue discussed during this visit which is indeed very important in the Plenipotentiary Conference currently taking place is the matter regarding ICTs and Climate Change which is based on the Kyoto Convention on Climate Change. The primary objective is to develop a knowledge base and repository on the relation between ICTs and Climate change in member countries.
As expected, members of the union are encouraged to contribute to undertakings to reduce carbon emissions especially by the information and communication technologies. This issue is also receiving attention in the department which includes the development of policy on e-Waste and e-Waste disposal guidelines.
On 13 October, in Mexico, the Deputy Minister held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Union where several issues were discussed including those considered during the Unions Plenipotentiary Conference in Mexico. The discussion between the two leaders focused on Broadband Infrastructure, the need for leadership and capacity building on the issue of cyber security and cybercrime where international cooperation is also necessary.
Further discussions with the government of Mexico will be held following up on the Deputy Minister’s visit to this country where she was invited by the government to participate in the World Summit Awards held last year September 2009. The discussions between the Deputy Minister and Mexico are scheduled for Monday, 18 October 2010.
