DIPLOMATS RECEIVE COMPUTER, INTERNET TRAINING IN HEADQUARTERS PROGRAMME LAUNCHED BY UN INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH

Diplomats receive Computer, Internet Training in headquarters programme

launched by un institute for training and research

New York, 19 April –- A new training programme for diplomats, focusing on computer and Internet know-how, including hardware, software, e-mail, Web surfing, Web design and maintenance, had its first session today at United Nations Headquarters.  Launched by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), under the auspices of the UN’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Task Force and the Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) Working Group on Informatics, the training series has been made possible by the active participation of the INTEL Corporation, which is providing the computers, training materials and the instructors, with important support from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

The programme -- officially the Policy and Training Program for Ambassadors and Diplomats at the United Nations -— will consist of a set of four progressive modules and one seminar, presented as a cycle that will be repeated four times each year.  The first four modules will focus on technical know-how and will be geared towards all diplomats.  The fifth module, “Policy Awareness and Security Issues on Information Technology”, is intended primarily for ambassadors and senior diplomats.

In today’s environment, personal mastery of information technology, as used in everyday work, can be an essential tool for diplomats and decision-makers who must confront the new challenges posed by modern information technology.  As the training encourages diplomats at the United Nations to acquire or improve their computer skills, it will also raise awareness and understanding of the important policy and security issues inherent in today’s information society.  Additionally, the training will provide valuable input to preparations for the World Summit on the Information Society which will be held in two phases:  2003 in Geneva, and 2005 in Tunis. 

Sarbuland Khan, Director of the Department of Economic and Social AffairsDivision for ECOSOC Support and Coordination, who was instrumental in launching the United Nations’ ICT Task Force, described the initiative as significant and innovative, saying that the programme “confirms our commitment to awareness-building in technology issues, and will illustrate the critical importance of this area to all Member States.  It is a new step in Task Force efforts to bridge the global digital divide.”

For further information, please contact Enrica Murmura in the Division for ECOSOC Support and Coordination, at (212) 963-5913, e-mail, murmura@un.org. 

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