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Center for Human Capacity Development
>> Return to Home Page >> Central Programs >> Global Programs >> Human Capacity Development ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Central Programs
TITLE AND NUMBER: Expanded access to and application of information and telecommunications services, 935-004
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $3,000,000 DA
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE; $2,000,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004Summary: Through Global Bureau's Center for Human Capacity Development (The Center), this central program provides policy and technical leadership to expand access to, and make more affordable state-of-the-art information technology and telecommunications services and applications. Planned activities include (1) policy dialogue and technical assistance to facilitate telecommunications reform, (2) training to strengthen institutional capability in host country national and local communities to respond to the changing global marketplace in information technology, and (3) pilot programs to demonstrate high-impact and appropriate applications of information technology to better pursue USAID objectives in education, economic growth, health and population, democracy and governance, and environment and natural resource protection.
Key Results: An interagency working group launched the Internet for Economic Development (IED) Initiative in FY 1999, coordinated by the Department of State, to help developing countries use the Internet to energize their economies, gain access to knowledge that can improve standards of living, and foster the free flow of ideas. The Center provided support to 12 of the 21 countries currently participating in the IED: Bulgaria, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Romania, and Uganda, providing expert assistance on telecommunications policy reform, training for leaders in the Information Technology (IT) sector, and initiating pilot IT applications. The Center structured an agreement with the U.S. Department of State to collaborate with key federal agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Department of Commerce (DOC) to assist developing countries with telecommunications and Internet policy, legal and regulatory reform. The mechanism was used to support FCC workshops on regulatory reform, DOC participation on electronic commerce, FCC assistance on spectrum monitoring in Jamaica, and planning missions to Guyana, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria. In addition, a longstanding partnership between USAID and the U.S. telecommunications industry for the U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) provides technical and policy training to key telecommunications and information technology professionals, including decision makers and regulators. Over a period of 19 years, 5,817 communications professionals have been trained.
Performance and Prospects: During FY 2000, telecommunications reform assistance was provided to Jamaica, Kenya, Guyana, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru and Uganda; in addition to support for three regional regulator workshops for Africa. Participants from 162 countries received training through USTTI. In Brazil, as part of the U.S.-Brazil Partnership in Education, LTNet was established as a resource for research on computers in schools and as a demonstration site for teachers, administrators and students in Brazil and the U.S. to learn about how computers can strengthen education. Central and South American non-governmental organizations were linked to increase their access to global information. Community Internet centers were introduced in Benin, Bulgaria, Haiti, Ghana and Guatemala to expand access to services and economic and educational opportunities.
In FY 2002, The Center will expand its range of activities in collaboration with NGOs, higher education institutions and the private sector to seed new IT applications in developing countries, including the use of distance education, e-commerce and e-government approaches. Special attention will be given to "gender divide" issues within the "digital divide." The Center will continue to promote telecommunications reform in countries in collaboration with the Department of State, the FCC, the DOC and USTTI through training and workshops on policy, legal and regulatory issues as well as in Internet and spectrum management training. A virtual network of USTTI graduates will be established and distance training options initiated. Center programs will expand Internet connectivity in secondary cities and in rural areas through community Internet centers, including Internet-based resource centers in teacher training colleges and other selected schools.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: U.S. participation in the Digital Opportunity Task Force (DOT Force) of the G-8 is likely to bring increased demand for activities similar to those which support the IED, requiring additional contracts, fellows and outreach to private sector companies and foundations. The Global Development Alliance may also increase the need for these Center services and activities.
Other Donor Programs: USAID works closely with the World Bank's Global Knowledge Partnership and the Inter-American Development Bank on programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID works with the Department of State, the Federal Communications Commission, Department of Commerce, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, each of which offers specialized expertise in aspects of telecommunications reform. Activities are implemented through a grant to U.S. Telecommunications Training Institute and U.S. contractors including the Academy for Educational Development, ARD/Checchi and others to be determined on a case-by-case basis. USAID plans a competitive award for a new program of assistance to countries seeking to overcome the digital divide.
Selected Performance Measures:
Indicator FY97 (Actual) FY98 (Actual) FY99 (Actual) FY00 (Actual)* FY01 (Plan) FY02 (Plan) Indicator 1: Access to and application of information and telecommunications services expanded NA 2 4 NA 8 10 Indicator 2: Access to and application of information and telecommunications services expanded NA 3 6 NA 14 19 Indicator 3: Access to and application of information and telecommunications services expanded NA 1 4 NA 7 9 Indicator Information
Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR Number of "models of use" (cumulative) LearnLink project A "model of use" is defined as a bundle of technologies and application approaches that represents an operational focus for the use of information technology with broad relevance to a sector; for example, distance teacher training, computer- and Internet-assisted classroom instruction, and community information centers. Models are counted if they are judged by USAID missions or partner institutions to have broad relevance to a sector. Indicator 2: IR Number of institutions (cumulative) LearnLink project A "model of use" is defined as a bundle of technologies and application approaches that represents an operational focus for the use of information technology with broad relevance to a sector; for example, distance teacher training, computer- and Internet-assisted classroom instruction, and community information centers. Institutions are counted if they are judged by USAID staff experts in IT to have introduced a "model of use" into their operations. Indicator 3: IR Number of countries per year (cumulative) USAID missions and partner institutions which receive assistance under the Inter-Agency Agreement (IAA) with Dept. of State or directly from USAID/Washington staff; activity reports under the IAA and e-mail communication with missions, reviewed at time of R4 preparation Countries are counted if the reforms are judged by USAID staff experts in IT to have the potential to impact privatization and/or access.
*FY 00 results data available upon completion of R-4.
U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 5,300 DA 4,983 DA 317 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 1,000 DA 871 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 6,300 DA 5,854 DA 446 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 3,000 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 3,000 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 DFA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 2,000 DA 3,700 DA 15,000 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 SEED 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
