[OLPC-Oceania] SPC launches ‘e-Pacific Island Countries’ - an online portal for Pacific ICT information

[Michael Hutak]

*PRESS RELEASE*

* *

*SPC launches ‘e-Pacific Island Countries’ - an online portal for Pacific
ICT information*

* *

*Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), 27 October 2010* –
Inaccessibility to readily available online information and communication
technology (ICT) resources is not an issue for the Pacific Islands region
anymore. The launch of ‘e-Pacific Island Countries’ (e-PIC) yesterday by SPC
takes Pacific communities one step closer to ICT development with the
availability of useful ICT information on this online portal.



The launch took place at the SPC-organised 40th meeting of the Committee of
Representatives of Governments and Administrations (CRGA), which is being
held in Noumea, New Caledonia from 25 – 29 October 2010.



‘This is a timely initiative as it contributes to addressing the ICT data
gaps that were identified by the review of the Pacific Plan Digital Strategy
and further highlighted by the newly endorsed *Framework for Action on ICT
for Development in the Pacific*. The portal also provides a platform for
engaging the various ICT stakeholders to ensure ICT initiatives are
relevant, sustainable and have a positive impact on the lives of Pacific
people,’ Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Director General of SPC, said.



Mr. Siaosi Sovaleni, ICT Outreach Coordinator at SPC’s Economic Development
Division who led the development of this important portal, gave a
demonstration of its usefulness to the delegates at the CRGA meeting.



‘Resources uploaded to the portal will be categorised based on the seven
themes of the endorsed ICT framework ensuring its relevance to endorsed
priorities in the framework. In addition, all the resources will be tagged,
which will make it easier to find appropriate information and resources,’
explained Mr Sovaleni.



The development of *e-PIC* has been possible with funding assistance from
the European Union (EU) through the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of
States (ACP Group) under the *ICT Access for the Poor *project.



The portal is expected to generate a significant increase in the
dissemination and exchange of relevant information and knowledge amongst
regional and international ICT agencies and the Pacific Island governments
and communities. The portal will have country profiles, downloadable
documents, forum, register of ICT professionals and policy makers, photo and
video gallery, and ICT vacancies. The documents on the portal will include
policies, legal and regulatory documents, publications, news items, as well
as educational and research materials.



‘e-PIC’ has extended its scope to include resources for other projects such
as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Project on *Information and
Communications Technologies (ICTs) for Inclusive Growth and Poverty
Reduction*.



The idea is to adopt an online ‘one-stop-shop’ resource centre for PICs to
minimise duplications and maximise utilisation of resources.



The portal will be managed by SPC’s Pacific ICT Outreach (PICTO) Programme
from its Suva regional office.



To access the portal, click on: http://www.e-pic.info/

* *

*For more information, please contact:*



Siaosi Sovaleni, ICT Outreach Coordinator, EDD, SPC, Suva, Fiji (email:
SiaosiS at spc.int); or Avnita Goundar, Information Officer, EDD, SPC, Suva,
Fiji (email: AvnitaG at spc.int)





Kind Regards

Avnita


Avnita Goundar

Information Officer

Economic Development Division
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
2nd Floor, Lotus Building, Nabua
Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji
PH: (679) 3379 281 or 3370 733 ext 281
Fax: (679) 3370 146
Mobile: (679) 9963 245

Website: www.spc.int/edd <http://www.spc.int/maritime/index.php>

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-- 
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Michael Hutak
Director, Oceania
One Laptop per Child
www.laptop.org
http://olpcoceania.blogspot.com
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