Deployment of ICT has expanded the horizon for all: minister

Islamabad

“A pragmatist myself, I think we need recourse to both theory and practice to evolve reflections for better policies and even better implementation mechanisms.” Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanvir stated this at a two-day international workshop on ‘Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Development: Mainstreaming the Marginalised’ which was organised by the Inter-Islamic Network on Information Technology (INIT) here on Tuesday.

“The cost of the technologies is getting lower day by day and there usage and deployment is becoming ubiquitous. In turn, it is helping link people across communities, across regions and even borders,” he said.

ICTs have opened up new avenues for providing access to information, employment, social justice, transparency and have helped in combating extremism. He further said that the deployment of ICTs have expanded the horizon for all. Equally true, it has proved itself as an equalizer for those at a disadvantage. It has given voice to those erstwhile unheard. In that sense the ICTs have strengthened the democratic ethos of a society.

The workshop aims to deliver a unique participatory based learning experience for the invitees. It will include presentations, panel sessions and open discussions around the theme of identifying ways through which the poorest and most marginalized can benefit from access to, and use of ICTs. Such individuals and communities often include people living in isolated areas, people with disabilities, women, the urban poor, underserved rural areas, and the elderly.  Enabling the poor and marginalized to gain benefits from the use of ICTs is essential if these inequalities that threaten social and political stability are indeed to be reduced.