AITEC SIERRA LEONE 2003 + THE WEST AFRICAN IT EDUCATION FORUM
Theme: "Mobilizing Information & Communication Technologies For National Recovery"

Organized by AITEC AFRICA AND THE AITEC SIERRA LEONE PROJECT

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the event is to bring together private sector, government and civil society groups interested in mobilizing ICTs as a tool for development and mapping out a vision and strategy to stimulate growth and development in Sierra Leone.

Dates: 13-14 February 2003

Venue: The British Council Auditorium and Seminar Room, Sierra Leone

Incorporating THE WEST AFRICA IT TRAINING AND EDUCATION FORUM

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
The conference will consist of presentation of papers by eminent scholars and experts drawn from industry, academia and development partners. A panel discussion and hands-on workshops will also form part of the conference.

DAY ONE

STREAM ONE - DESIGNING THE FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION

Keynote
Strategic Uses of Information Technology for National Recovery and Sustainable Development

INFRASTRUCTURE
Polices and Strategies for Re building infrastructure for growth and development

INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING
Designing and implementing an effective Institutional capacity building Strategy

Specialised Applications
· Telemedicine: Overcoming distance for health delivery
· e-commerce options for emerging economies
· ICT applications in sustainable agriculture

· Panel Discussion

Internet
The Internet as an engine of growth and sustainable development

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
· The impact of mobile telephony
· Wireless applications

STREAM TWO - POLICY
· Mapping ICTs in Sierra Leone: Snap presentation of a baseline survey of ICTs in Sierra Leone
· Steps to a National ICT policy for Sierra Leone
· Realistic Strategies for e-Governance and eGovernment implementation in Sierra Leone
· Telecommunications policies and regulations for rapid roll-out
· Panel Discussion

STREAM THREE - THE WEST AFRICAN IT EDUCATION FORUM

· Developing Human resources for West Africa's Information Age
· Managing and Administering Capacity Building Projects
· ICTs in the classroom: Options and opportunities
· Cost-effective applications in education and training

DAY TWO - PUTTING WORDS INTO ACTION

WORKSHOP ONE
ICT Project Management (Analysis, Design, Implementation, Operations and Maintenance of relevant ICTs projects in Sierra Leone)

WORKSHOP TWO
Designing effective website

WORKSHOP THREE
Open Source software - Challenges and opportunities

WORKSHOP FOUR
Training ICTs agents of change

WORKSHOP FOUR
Putting information security and privacy issues at the center of building Infrastructure

KEY OUTCOMES:
· Initiate the process of developing an ICT policy Sierra Leone
· Contribute significantly to the formation of an IT (Consumer and Professional) Association of Sierra Leone
· ICTs skills transfer and exchange of knowledge
· Demonstrating practical ways in which ICTs can be used for National Recovery

PRESENTATION PROPOSALS
Organisations and individuals wanting to propose presentations for the conference should e-mail proposals to Kwami Ahiabenu, with a brief presentation outline and biographical note on the presenter ([email protected] [2])

CONTACTS:
AITEC SIERRA LEONE LIASON OFFICE
John Johnson
4 Liverpool Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Tel 232- 225367
Mobile: 232-76-655816/ 76-655808/76-621701
E-Mail : [email][email protected] [3]

AITEC GHANA
Kwami Ahiabenu,II
Tel: +233-24-319181
[email][email protected] [2]

AITEC UK
Sean Moroney
Tel: +44-1480-831300
[email][email protected] [4]