United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
Updated October 2003
 

► www.unitar.org
► http://egov.unitar.org

Guiding Principles/Objectives

Programmes

Access and use of Information and Communication Technologies by governments, administrations and civil society are new challenges for development. Targeted training is an essential condition for institutional modernisation and the participation of the citizens. To address these new challenges of the Information Society UNITAR, in partnership with Member States and intergovernmental organizations, designs training courses on different themes: technology, law, communication and diplomacy. UNITAR gives priority to the use of local expertise through specialist networks.

UNITAR takes an active part in the debate about universal access, and focuses specifically on awareness raising and capacity building activities. The UNITAR's Information Society programme is involved in the preparation process of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS): Geneva conference, December 10-12, 2003 and Tunis conference, November 16-18, 2005. The programme's aim is to assist developing countries to formulate coherent national strategies and to encourage them to participate actively in the construction of the global information society.

Areas of Application:

► Networking of institutions
► ICT applications for environment
► Access to environmental information
► Training and/for capacity development
► Information management and sharing
► Challenges and opportunities for building an information society

The UNITAR Programme on Information Society for Development aims to provide specific target groups with a comprehensive understanding of the issues at stake in the field of ICT.

Law & Cyberspace: aims to develop capacities in IT law and regulation.

e-Government for development: includes training activities targeting governmental departments with the aim to enhance rule of law, human right, governance efficiency and democracy.

Internet in the South - CD-Rom: (UNITAR – UNESCO publishing) offers a sort of encyclopaedia gathering hundreds of documents on law, technology and economic and social issues of information society.

Environmental Information and Monitoring Systems on the Internet – SISEI: encourages environmental communities to share experiences and information resources. It supports the development and appropriation of technological tools for the access, exchange and circulation of useful information. It focuses on building institutional and legal frameworks to support the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements to which countries are party.

UNOSAT – Satellite Imagery for All: provides the international community with updated and accurate geographic information, geo-information solutions covering regions at risk or affected by disaster or conflict and to universalize access to satellite imagery. Generic or customized training is organized, enabling users of the UNOSAT Community to make the best use of Earth Observation imagery and Geographic Information (www.unosat.org).

Participation in Multi-donor Programmes:

n/a

► Mr.Pascal Renaud, Senior Programme Coordinator, pascal.renaud@unitar.org
► Ms. Jocelyn Fenard, Programme Officer, jocelyn.fenard@unitar.org