e-Society

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have had a significant impact on the lives of people - bringing them closer together, making differences less important and amplifying economic activity and growth. However, rural Sri Lanka, where nearly 70% of the population lives, is yet to profit from these developments. The overall goal of the e-Society Programme is to promote the innovative use of ICT to meet the social and economic needs of the most vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka; to develop approaches to scale up successful applications; and to empower civil society with affordable access to information, communication, and relevant local content.

Strategies:

To use knowledge and information to move the centre of gravity of power, influence and opportunity, back to the rural masses, the following strategies are outlined:

Raise awareness within civil society about the uses and benefits of ICT through a strategic communications campaign.
Develop multi-stakeholder partnerships in ICT4D. These partnerships will network ICTA to other organizations and institutions that are engaged in promoting an e-Society.
Establish a fund that will adopt a bottom up approach to solicit and develop innovative solutions using ICT to benefit rural poor, women, displaced persons, and those residing in conflict-affected areas.
Introduce and mainstream ICT in rural communities to provide increased opportunities for economic growth and an improved quality of life.
Enhance the capacity of stakeholders by developing & delivering appropriate training programmes.