policy initiatives in ICT

29.05.2007 The Indian government will invest INR 23,000 million to promote e-Governance in rural areas. The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) will cyber link even the remotest villages through one lakh Internet Common Service Centres (CSCs) spread across the country.

28.05.2007 IIT-Powai based Webaroo has launched SMS GupShup, a free group messaging service in India, which will enable mobile users to create their own groups and start blogging. The convergence of internet technology with the mobile is now closer than before to the common user and will enable greater communication.

24.05.2007 The Australian government will spend $13.6 million on e-security to protect home users and small businesses in a move to strengthen the existing electronic operating environment.

23.05.2007 'Can South Asia End Poverty in a Generation?' This is the theme for a two hour videoconference discussion connecting NGOs and CSOs from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, to be held at the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India on May 30, 2007.

22.05.2007 The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) of UK is using an advanced technology for purposes of wildlife crime enforcement. This technology will enable them to pool police information and carry investigations further.

18.05.2007 The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) celebrated the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on May 17, 2007 by honouring three laureates and through an announcement of a plan to curb cyber crime, connect Africa and connect the young. The ITU helps communities develop radio communication and ICTs worldwide.

14.05.2007 The UN Security Council's counter-terrorism directorate has launched an online database to help countries to develop their own counter-terrorism programmes. UN also hopes to help countries in drafting terrorism-related legislation, financial law and practice regulations, training for personnel and enhancing law regulations.

09.05.2007 May 17 marks the inception of Information and Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN agency that works to develop telecommunications networks and services to bridge the digital divide. Following the World Summit on the Information Society, the UN has now declared the same date as World Information Society Day.