London – The London Conference on Cyberspace has cited the usage of text messaging in Nigeria as one of the ways development actors provide services to local communities.
“Rapid text messaging is being used by UNICEF Nigeria to monitor the supply and distribution of bed nets in the fight against malaria,’’ Ms Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, said at the forum.
“Data collection via mobile phone is now being used in epidemiological mapping to study the spread of disease over geographical regions,’’ she added.
Clark, who spoke at one of the sessions entitled, “Hopes and Fears,’’ said though there were legitimate fears about the demerits of the growing dependence on cyberspace, there were also the transformative and development benefits.
She said ICT played catalytic role in advancing human development by improving access to information and service delivery as well as enabling broader democratic participation.
“The growing demand for ICT solutions and applications, coupled with great ICT innovation in the Global South, can create jobs, enhance public-private partnerships and expand South-South cooperation,’’ Clark added.
Also speaking, Carl Bildt, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, said countries need robust, secure and fast access to the global web and its information flows.
“Without it, societies and individuals will be left behind or face serious problems. We also need global norms and rules protecting these networks from interference, disruption or destruction,’’ he said.
While noting that security issues were fundamental, Bildt said “ they must go hand in hand with the freedom issues; freedom and security, never security without freedom.’’
The conference, which began on Tuesday, brought together politicians, law enforcers, industry chiefs and other internet stakeholders for the first time to discuss the opportunities and risks that exist online.
The forum was also aimed at taking advantage of such opportunities and militate against the risks therein.
The conference, which is the brainchild of UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, discussed issues which included international security, cyber crime, economic growth and development, safe and reliable access and social benefits of the cyberspace.
The outcome of the confab, to be known as the “London Agenda,’’ was expected to shape the debate rather than lay down any prescriptive rules on the internet. (NAN)
“Rapid text messaging is being used by UNICEF Nigeria to monitor the supply and distribution of bed nets in the fight against malaria,’’ Ms Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator, said at the forum.
“Data collection via mobile phone is now being used in epidemiological mapping to study the spread of disease over geographical regions,’’ she added.
Clark, who spoke at one of the sessions entitled, “Hopes and Fears,’’ said though there were legitimate fears about the demerits of the growing dependence on cyberspace, there were also the transformative and development benefits.
She said ICT played catalytic role in advancing human development by improving access to information and service delivery as well as enabling broader democratic participation.
“The growing demand for ICT solutions and applications, coupled with great ICT innovation in the Global South, can create jobs, enhance public-private partnerships and expand South-South cooperation,’’ Clark added.
Also speaking, Carl Bildt, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, said countries need robust, secure and fast access to the global web and its information flows.
“Without it, societies and individuals will be left behind or face serious problems. We also need global norms and rules protecting these networks from interference, disruption or destruction,’’ he said.
While noting that security issues were fundamental, Bildt said “ they must go hand in hand with the freedom issues; freedom and security, never security without freedom.’’
The conference, which began on Tuesday, brought together politicians, law enforcers, industry chiefs and other internet stakeholders for the first time to discuss the opportunities and risks that exist online.
The forum was also aimed at taking advantage of such opportunities and militate against the risks therein.
The conference, which is the brainchild of UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, discussed issues which included international security, cyber crime, economic growth and development, safe and reliable access and social benefits of the cyberspace.
The outcome of the confab, to be known as the “London Agenda,’’ was expected to shape the debate rather than lay down any prescriptive rules on the internet. (NAN)
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/11/london-confab-highlights-usage-of-text-messaging-in-nigeria/