Bangkok--Aug 1---Australian Embassy
AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD BANK
VIRTUAL COLOMBO PLAN
AUSTRALIA TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alexander Downer MP, and the President of the World Bank, Mr James D. Wolfensohn will launch the Virtual Colombo Plan on Thursday, 2 August.
Australia and the World Bank will together announce a major international initiative to bridge the digital divide. The launch will be attended by Australia's business, education and IT leaders.
The Virtual Colombo Plan will use Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) to revolutionise the approach to international development on a global scale.
This initiative recognises there are real opportunities for developing countries to use ICTs to access education, information and knowledge to reduce global poverty. This access is central to the development process. The initiative will focus on providing access that is affordable and widespread.
The Virtual Colombo Plan (VCP) builds on the concepts of the original Colombo Plan that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Colombo Plan is the world's oldest Program of bilateral cooperation focused on economic and social development.
Following the launch, an international video satellite link discussion will take place involving Mr Downer, Mr Wolfensohn, Thai Senator Mechai Viravaidya in Bangkok, Professor Phinias Makhurane, Chairman of the African Virtual University in Nairobi and The Hon Professor John Waiko MP, the PNG Minister for Education, Research, Science & Technology in Port Moresby.
Date Thursday, 2 August 2001
Venue Center of Academic Resources (CAR) Conference Room 7th Floor, Chulalongkkorn University
Time 0800-0915
Further Information please contact Khun Baralee Meesukh Media Officer, Australian Embassy Tel 02 287 2680 ext 4536 Mobile 01 921 6462 End
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