CONNECT A SCHOOL, CONNECT A COMMUNITY

Around the world, several regional initiatives have been initiated to promote school connectivity.  Some have evolved from international initiatives such as WSIS and the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).

In 2005, the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries signed the Rio de Janeiro Commitment, which determined that ICTs should be used to achieve the MDG goals in that region.  It also renewed the region’s commitment to expanding cooperation among all countries through the exchange of experience, knowledge, and technology.  The Commitment called for development of "e-applications" and "e-education" solutions.  In addition, it emphasized the need to create government programmes to provide indigenous peoples with access to ICTs, taking into account the special situation of these groups.²⁰ 

In 2008, as a consequence of WSIS 2005 and to follow up on the Rio de Janeiro Commitment, LAC countries signed the San Salvador Commitment, further cementing the region’s commitment to using ICTs as instruments to support economic development and social inclusion.  The San Salvador Commitment, which is currently being implemented, called for increasing efforts to achieve the region’s priorities in education.²¹  It also reiterated the need to include all stakeholders -- the private sector, civil society, and scientific and academic communities -- in the creation of the Information Society, as well as in seeking financial mechanisms to help realize the region’s ICT goals and targets.²²