Initiatives: 1. 2030 ICT Alliance for the Americas; 2. COM/CITEL/RES. 287 (XXXII-16): Support from CITEL for the Implementation of the Outcomes of the Seventh Summit of the Americas and in Preparation for the VIII Summit of the Americas; 3. CITEL Scholarships

Brief description of initiatives:
1. On June 14, 2016, in the framework of the 46 Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the “2030 ICT Alliance for the Americas” was launched with support from the CITEL Secretariat. The Alliance recognizes the potential of global connectivity to accelerate human progress in Latin America and the Caribbean, reducing digital gaps and developing knowledge societies. The Commitments assumed in this Alliance are focused on working together, private sector with the leadership of the ICT industry, public sector and multilateral institutions, to pledge to do the following:
• To work together to ensure that additional 150 million of persons in the Americas are brought online.
• To have all public schools of the Americas connected to the Internet before 2030.
• To promote digital training education with relevant local contents that enhance the quality of education in the Americas.
• To develop the talent for the new digital economy.
• To build up democratic participation in the Americas on the basis of ICTs.
In the framework of the 2030 ICT Alliance of the Americas, CITEL is implementing a project with PROFUTURO (from Fundacion Telefonica) called Digital Mobile Classroom, which offers an innovative offline solution to improve quality education through digital resources that provide access to quality and transformational education creating spaces more inclusive and focusing in the enhancement of teacher´s skills, methods and competencies through digital technologies. Our target is children in primary education.
2. To support the Global Connect efforts to catalyze multi-sectoral initiatives to attract 1.5 billion new Internet users online by 2020, including its principles to achieve Internet connectivity; to ensure that all public schools in the Americas are connected to the Internet by 2030 and create relevant local content; and to promote digital training to help raise the quality of education and build talent for the new digital economy.
3. In 2016, CITEL had 6 Regional Training Centers distributed throughout the region. The program of courses for which scholarships were offered was prepared on the basis of surveys on the region’s telecommunication training needs. Pursuant to the provisions of resolution COM/CITEL RES. 271 (XXX-15).

Activities:
1. Challenge #STEM4Good Americas: Inspired, Explore, Learn. Thanks to the initiative of the OAS, CITEL and Telefonica, framed in the 2030 ICT Alliance, young entrepreneurs between 14 and 18 years old are been trained to create mobile applications based on the AppInventor platform.
2. 2017 Call for collaboration with all Ministries of Education to implement PROFUTURO’s DIGITAL MOBILE CLASSROOM to improve the quality of education through digital education in highly vulnerable environments in Latin America and the Caribbean
3. In 2016 115 scholarships were offered for 13 online courses and 4 onsite courses, details of which are given in CITEL’s 2016 Annual Report.

Beneficiaries:
• Young entrepreneurs between 14 and 18 years old
• 115 professionals in the Americas from 20 Member States awarded with ICT scholarships from OAS/CITEL.
• Internet users in the Americas
• All Public schools of the Americas connected to the Internet before 2030.
• Digital classrooms that will benefit 1 million students in the Americas

Partnerships and Financing: OAS, CITEL and Telefonica

Initiatives: 1. 2030 ICT Alliance for the Americas; COM/CITEL/RES. 287 (XXXII-16): Support from CITEL for the Implementation of the Outcomes of the Seventh Summit of the Americas and in Preparation for the VIII Summit of the Americas; 3. Strategic initiatives of Secretary General Almagro (Executive order Nº 16-02 Rev. 1); 4. CITEL Program for the Inclusion of Women and Girls in ICTs

Brief description of initiatives
1. 2030 ICT Alliance for the Americas was launched with support from the CITEL Secretariat on June 14, 2016, in the framework of the 46 Regular Session of the OAS General Assembly, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The Alliance recognizes the potential of global connectivity to accelerate human progress in Latin America and the Caribbean, reducing digital gaps and developing knowledge societies. The Commitments assumed in this Alliance are focused on working together, private sector with the leadership of the ICT industry, public sector and multilateral institutions. Commitment 4, particularly pledges to “Strengthen democratic participation in the Americas through ICT.”
2. To support the Global Connect efforts to catalyze multi-sectoral initiatives to attract 1.5 billion new Internet users online by 2020, including its principles to achieve Internet connectivity and to strengthen citizen participation, mainly ensuring that all public schools in the Americas are connected to the Internet by 2030 and create relevant local content; and to promote digital training to help raise the quality of education and build talent for the new digital economy.
3. On the basis of Executive Order 16-02 rev. 1 of February 2016, n response to the region’s most pressing needs, the OAS Secretary General decided to accord priority to five Strategic Initiatives within the OAS, namely: School of Governance, Social Conflicts, Interconnectivity in the Caribbean, Inter-American Education System, and Natural Disaster Response. CITEL shall participate through its Executive Secretariat to ensure inclusion of matters relating to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). To ensure, given the cross-cutting nature of ICTs and the fact that they have become an essential tool for countries’ development, the use and incorporation of ICTs in the four pillars of the Organization and in the five Strategic Initiatives, through the Executive Secretariat of CITEL
4. CITEL Program for the Inclusion of Women and Girls in ICTs: collaboration between CITEL and the OAS Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) to deal with issues related to the benefit of using ICTs as a tool to empower women, especially to prevent violence against women and to mainstream gender into the agenda of CITEL. Implementation of the Contest “ICTs to Prevent and Eradicate Violence Against Women” has been successful; 45 proposals were received and 3 initiatives were awarded.

Activities: (List the different activities for implementation of this Initiative)
1. Forum on ICTs and the elimination of poverty in the Americas: The role of public-private partnerships. June 14, 2016 / Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, General Assembly of the OAS.
2. Second Forum of the 2030 ICT Alliance for the Americas: June 28, 2016 / Bogotá, Colombia
3. Call for collaboration with all Ministries of Education to implement PROFUTURO’s DIGITAL MOBILE CLASSROOM to improve the quality of education through digital education in highly vulnerable environments in Latin America and the Caribbean.
4. Call for Awards for the contest “ICTs to Prevent and Eradicate Violence Against Women”

Beneficiaries: (e.g. Country/Institutions/specific groups,etc.)
• 150 million people in the Americas to be connected to the Internet by the year 20201
• All Caribbean countries through PROFUTURO’s DIGITAL MOBILE CLASSROOM to support the Inter-American Education Agenda
• Ministries of Foreign Affairs and CITEL Administrations who attended the Fora
• Women and Girls

Partnerships and Financing: OAS/CITEL, Millicom, Cisco, America Movil, Telefonica

Initiatives: 1. 2030 ICT Alliance for the Americas; 2. COM/CITEL/RES. 287 (XXXII-16): Support from CITEL for the Implementation of the Outcomes of the Seventh Summit of the Americas and in Preparation for the VIII Summit of the Americas; 3. CITEL Scholarships

Brief description of initiatives:
1. Inspired by Sustainable Development Goal No. 17 aimed at “Revitalizing the global partnerships for sustainable development” of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the “2030 ICT Alliance for the Americas” proposed working with both Member States interested in mainstreaming information and communication technologies (ICTs) into their national policies and the private sector to connect an additional 150 million people in the Americas to the Internet by the year 2020, supporting the Global Connect Initiative that is aimed at bringing an additional 1.5 billion people online.
2. The 32 Meeting of the Permanent Executive Committee of CITEL, COM/CITEL, decided:
• To invite the Member States to submit to the Chair of the Summits of the Americas process all documents arising from the various meetings and events of CITEL that reflect the impact of and progress towards implementing the mandates and initiatives of the “Mandates for Action” of the Seventh Summit of the Americas, particularly as regard broadband access and investment in broadband infrastructure.
• To promote, within the structure and work plan(s) of the appropriate work group(s) of CITEL, access to and increased adoption and development of broadband services, and investment in broadband infrastructure.
• To support the Global Connect efforts to catalyze multi-sectoral initiatives to attract 1.5 billion new Internet users online by 2020, including its principles to achieve Internet connectivity; to ensure that all public schools in the Americas are connected to the Internet by 2030 and create relevant local content; and to promote digital training to help raise the quality of education and build talent for the new digital economy.
3. In 2016, CITEL had 6 Regional Training Centers distributed throughout the region. The program of courses for which scholarships were offered was prepared on the basis of surveys on the region’s telecommunication training needs. Pursuant to the provisions of resolution COM/CITEL RES. 271 (XXX-15).

Activities: (List the different activities for implementation of this Initiative)
1. In the framework of the 2030 ICT Alliance of the Americas, CITEL consolidated a project to support the Inter-American Education Agenda with PROFUTURO’s DIGITAL MOBILE CLASSROOM in order to improve the quality of education through digital education in highly vulnerable environments in Latin America and the Caribbean.
2. In general, the CITEL Consultative Committees and the working groups have steadily moved forward on broadband issues, the establishment of guidelines in various topics, the review of new provisions of the Radio Regulations adopted at the WRC-15, and various reports on priority matters for the development of telecommunications / information and communication technologies in the region.
- PCC.I/RES. 269 (XXVIII-16): WORKSHOP ON DIGITAL INCLUSION AND MEANINGFUL BROADBAND ADOPTION IN THE AMERICAS
- PCC.I/RES. 270 (XXVIII-16): PROPOSAL: CITEL INDEX ON BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT IN THE AMERICAS REGION
- PCC.I/RES. 274 (XXIX-16): WORKSHOP ON DIGITAL INCLUSION AND MEANINGFUL BROADBAND ADOPTION IN THE AMERICAS
3. In 2016, CITEL offered 13 online courses and 4 onsite courses and awarded 114 full and 1 partial scholarship to citizens of 20 Member States. More details are given in CITEL’s Annual Report.

Beneficiaries: (e.g. Country/Institutions/specific groups,etc.)
• 150 million people in the Americas to be connected to the Internet by the year 20201
• All Caribbean countries through PROFUTURO’s DIGITAL MOBILE CLASSROOM to support the Inter-American Education Agenda
• 115 scholars in 20 Member States

Partnerships and Financing: Citel regional training centers, Telefonica

Initiative: VIII Meeting of High Level Authorities of Electronic Government

The VIII Meeting of High Level Authorities of Electronic Government to be hosted by the Government of Colombia in Cartagena in July 24-25, 2014, reunites in the context of the Inter-American Network of eGovernment (RedGealc), the Ministers of ITCs from Member States, National Electronic Government Directors and other national high level authorities responsible for designing and implementing policies and programs on the use of ICTs for more transparent and efficient government and institutions, aiming at effective and inclusive delivery of services to citizens. The meeting in Cartagena labeled "Electronic Government and Regional Competitiveness" builds on the mandates of the VI Summit of the Americas by defining 5 thematic areas: 1. eGovernment: a matter for all; 2. Mobile Government to reach to vulnerable populations; 3. Secure Technologies; 4. Open Data and entrepreneurship; and, 5. improving health services through technology. The meeting objective is to sensitize key political stakeholders about the importance of electronic government in the development of their countries.

The meeting is a joint effort that promotes cooperation of international organizations, specialized agencies, the private sector and other social actors, and analyzes ICTs with the view of strengthening ICTs related public policies.

Activities: 1. Closed session with Ministers: This interactive session is aimed at discussing the context and the future of ICTs in the region.
2. Open Session: this public session aims at working on the critical issues of expanding access to, and use of, ICTs. This session integrates a wide variety of people and institutional profiles.
3. Closed session with Electronic Government National Directors: this session aims at the definition of electronic government action plans. The session will promote group work among directors for the development of action plans.

Beneficiaries: Member States, ICTs Ministries, Electronic Government Directors and other High level Authorities.

Partnerships: Ministry of ITCs of the Government of Colombia, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC)

Website: http://redgealc.org/viii-reunion-de-altas-autoridades-de-gobierno-electronico/contenido/5800/es/

Initiative: Research, Publications and training

The Electronic Government Unit of the Department for Effective Public Management pursues in collaboration with stakeholders from different sectors and affiliations the development of studies and publications. These publications aimed at sharing knowledge about specific cutting edge ICTs-related matters among a specialized audiences; including high level eGovernment authorities. The Unit also provides an ample channel of training, (the Virtual Campus), of public officials and other stakeholders on areas of e-Government and public administration.

Related to paragraph 7 of the VI Summit of the Americas mandates, the 4 activities described here support the promotion of transparency and accountability through ICTs by nourishing capacities of the targeted audiences in open government; specifically on issues of participative processes of co-creation in open government and open data, this is: building capacities across stakeholders of various profiles and affiliations for more open and transparent governments.

For the benefit of this report, co-creation in open government is defined as the generation of services through applications developed by civil society (individuals, organizations and businesses) that are based on open data provided by the State.

Activities: Development and publication of the following:

1. OAS-IDRC: Hacia Procesos Participativos y de Co-produccion en el Gobierno Abierto:
This publication aims at sharing knowledge on two fronts: 1. type and access of information, and 2. information management by governments.
2. OAS-IDRC: Gobierno Abierto: hacia un nuevo paradigma de gestión pública:
This publication aims at sharing knowledge through an analysis of the relationship between democracy and information and open government and citizen participation.
3. OAS eGovernment Newsletter:
The monthly published eGovernment newsletter is a comprehensive recurrent outlet of knowledge and information and offers important insight in the promotion of ICT programs for greater transparency and accountability. 92 editions of this publication have already been issued, including topics of Transparency, Access of Information, Open Data, Social Media, eGovernment and Public Private Partnerships, etc.
4. Training:
Through its Virtual Campus, the Department for Effective Public Management trains thousands of participant in a wide variety of issues such as: design of eGovernment strategies; interoperability, management of eGovernment projects, and also in transparency and citizen participation, access of information, and in the usage of social media by government agencies. The portfolio just described (among many other courses) support the strengthening of capacities of stakeholders to promote transparency and accountability.

Beneficiaries: The project targets the main national government electronic Government authorities of the OAS Member States and will benefit their national e-Gob agencies by strengthening its capacities on open data; in particular, the OAS Components are oriented to Latin American countries while the Caribbean Members will be supported by UWI. Additionally, the project would benefit indirectly citizens in general, SMEs and women in countries in which the open data capacities and policies are strengthened as a result of the project implementation.

Partnerships: International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), AVINA Foundation, and the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Websites: 1. Publications 1 y 2: http://redgealc.org/gobierno-abierto/contenido/5595/es/
2. eGovernment Newsletter: http://portal.oas.org/Portal/Sector/SecretaríaGeneral/SEDI/OESEDI/Proyectos/NPA/UsoEficientedeTICs/tabid/1729/Default.aspx?language=en-us
3. Training: www.campusvirtualoea.org

Initiative: Project IDRC-OAS: "Harnessing Open Data to Achieve Development Results in Latin America and the Carribean"

The Overall objective of the project is to strengthen the accountability and legitimacy of public institutions, improve public services, and fuel economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean through research and innovation on open data initiatives.

The specific objective is to share knowledge and research on the demand and use of open data for development, improving consultation practices in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This initiative is a 30 month project financed by IDRC.

Activities: Explanation of distribution of overall project outputs

Note: outputs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 of the overall project are the responsibility of the following project partners: Avina, ECLAC and UWI. The OAS is exclusively responsible for outputs numbers 6 and 7 of the project.

I. Non-OAS Outputs and activities:
1. Work plan developed and agreed (responsible ECLAC)
The setting of a jointly concerted project work plan as an output of the project entails broad participation of stakeholders (implementers and counterparts) to secure that all possible aspects are contemplated and are well taken by the beneficiaries.
Agreement among governments in the region within the Open Data Working Group of eLAC2015 (coordinated by UN-ECLAC), in alignment with the Open Data Working Group of the Open Government Partnership (responsible ECLAC) is expected.
2. 8 studies mapping open data eco-systems in Latin America developed, (AVINA/ILDA)
The mapping phase of this project aims to provide an in-depth description of open data ecosystems debated in the First Latin American Open Data Conference: public services, government transparency, agriculture and environment and urban governance.
The studies will identify key stakeholders in the open government data ecosystem following a template which will consider the following dimensions:
1) Base line: the status of the topic/policy, particularly in terms of OGD implementation. The base line should establish clearly which is the policy in place, status of implementation and available supply of information.
2) Stakeholders analysis: This section will explore key stakeholders in the open data environment in the public, private and civil society. The study will provide a characterization of each stakeholder developing an analysis of the role they play, the resources they have and the objectives the pursue.
3) Possible initiatives: The studies will provide a set of possible initiatives which could be deployed in each open data environment.
These documents will serve as support for ongoing discussions and agenda setting in the region in each of the thematic areas defined above.
3. 2 studies mapping open data eco-systems in the Caribbean developed (COI)
Same description as output 2 applies.
4. Support, research, testing and fostering of 20 strategic initiatives developed (ILDA/COI)
Based on information gathered in the mapping phase, the project will develop initiatives or experimental designs around three strategic areas: co-creation, standard development and capacity building . Up to 20 studies will aim to support and learn from strategic initiatives that foster open data Eco-systems as well as to learn from the critical issues they deal with.
Strategic initiatives are designed to test the following hypotheses:
1- Innovation: Collaborative development between government and civil society and private sector triggers innovation and more effective forms of public service delivery.
2 – Standards: Establishing open standards can lead to greater reuse and scalability.
3– Inclusion: Data literacy is essential to spread the benefits of open government to marginalized communities.
Sub-activities:
Output 4a. -at least 4 studies will support and research collaborative development of services and innovation using open government data (IlDA/COI)
Output 4b. - at least 4 studies will support and research open data the production and development of open data standards in specific topics
Output 4c. - at least 4 studies will research, test and foster mechanisms to expand data literacy and skills of excluded groups fostering and strengthening their participation in open government ecosystems (IlDA/COI)
Output 4d. at least 4 will research, test and foster the above mentioned strategic areas in the Caribbean (IlDA/COI)
5. Four peer-reviewed quality research articles developed on how the selected initiatives lead to development outcomes (ILDA)
The project will share knowledge and research on the demand and use of open data for development among governments in the region, (e.g. how open standards contribute to greater reuse and scalability, how broader participation leads to more effective open data programs). The lessons learned during the process will be shared with governments in the region.
Building on the learning from the strategic initiatives, the project will take advantage of established networks to discuss with governments across the region on the potential implications. Building on the results of the dialogue with the eLAC working group, The UN-ECLAC will evaluate the eLAC open data work plan.
8. Governance structure proposal for a Nodal entity (open data hub) in Latin America developed(ILDA)
In Latin America there is still not an obvious path towards setting up a nodal entity able to convey all the open government data efforts in the region. This project aims to contribute towards generating such a nodal entity or “hub”. ILDA could work as an incubator for a future Institute or more stable alliance.
9. Governance structure proposal for a hub in the Caribbean developed (COI)
In the Caribbean there is still not an obvious path towards setting up a nodal entity able to convey all the open government data efforts in the region. This project aims to contribute towards generating such a nodal entity or “hub”. COI could work as an incubator for a future Institute or more stable alliance.
II. OAS Outputs and activities:
6. Report on regional dialogue and participation on Open Data based on 3 Gov Camps developed through the course of the project (OAS)
The OAS will organize a series of at least 3 Gov Camps and provide technical support to countries developing open data plans. Gov Camps will be key instances where knowledge generated on the strategic initiatives explored in this research can be brought to government officials and civil society in the region.
OAS has long worked on e-government in the region through the involvement and support of the successful RED GEALC network which plays an influential role in e-government policy development and collaboration among governments. The OAS will also focus on use its networks to provide information about the evolution of the research agenda as well as will disseminate information to governments. In particular, OAS will foster dialogue through the E Government Leaders Network ofNetwork of Latin America and the Caribbean (RED Gealc).
7. Public servants engagement on open data through on-line education course (OAS)
The OAS will develop and deliver an open data online course in partnership with other stakeholders aimed to educate public servants about the synergies open government data and several governance areas could develop aiming towards the outcomes of this project. Courses will also help other institutions and the general public to understand key issues of open government.

Beneficiaries: The project targets the main national government electronic Government authorities of the OAS Member States and will benefit their national e-Gob agencies by strengthening its capacities on open data; in particular, the OAS Components are oriented to Latin American countries while the Caribbean Members will be supported by UWI. Additionally, the project would benefit indirectly citizens in general, SMEs and women in countries in which the open data capacities and policies are strengthened as a result of the project implementation.

Partnerships: International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC), Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), AVINA Foundation, and the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Websites: http://ilda.datauy.org/ and http://redgealc.org/la-red-gealc-y-los-datos-abiertos/contenido/5627/es/

Capacity Strengthening
. The OAS introduced Virtual Educa for the first time in the non-Spanish speaking Caribbean in 2012. During Virtual Educa Caribbean 2012 there were 21 hands-on training workshops. The Ministry of Education and Community Development of Suriname identified three general topics as priority areas: Digital Content Development, ICTs in Education and Teacher Training. There were 86 participants who benefited from one or more workshops. During Virtual Educa Panama 2012, there were 38 hands-on training workshops. Close to 10,000 participants registered and had the opportunity to attend the training workshops.

After the culmination of Virtual Educa Caribbean 2012, all the technological devices used during the demonstration on Innovation and ICTs in Education with the 21st Century Classroom were donated to the Ministry of Education of Suriname including 40 computers donated by INTEL. As an effort to promote the appropriate use of this infrastructure, the DHDEC worked in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Community Development of Suriname to run the "Creating Digital Content" Workshop, where 14 members of the Ministry of Education of Suriname staff were trained to increase learning outcomes in schools. As a result of Virtual Educa Panama 2012, in total one hundred computers were donated to the Ministry of Education of Panama.
Based on the first experience delivering the Workshop "Creating Digital Content" in Suriname, the contents will be adapted in a manner to best fit the necessities of other member states into a workshop named "21st Century Teachers Transforming their Pedagogical Practices through the Use of ICTs". This workshop will be delivered in Educa Digital Colombia Nacional, from August 20 to 24, 2013

The Department of Human Development, Education and Culture organized Educational Fairs to generate opportunities for educational institutions and private organizations to demonstrate their knowledge and good practices regarding the use of ICTs in education as well as to raise awareness in the community at large of the advantages of bringing technology and innovative ways of learning to the classroom. The target audience being teachers, parents, students and the general public of Suriname and Panama. During Virtual Educa Caribbean 2012, the general public had the opportunity to learn about regional and international educational projects and initiatives in the educational fair. There were 25 booths from educational institutions and private organizations. An estimate of 3,000 people visited the educational exhibit. During Virtual Educa Panama 2012, there were 58 booths from educational institutions and private organizations.

Educational Portal of the Americas
: Through a recent agreement with Intel® Educar, the Portal offered free online teacher training for the first time with the assistance of volunteer virtual tutors recruited from its pool of graduates on topics of great interest to our teachers. Topics such as: Thinking Critically with Data, Assessment in 21st Century Classrooms, Collaboration in the Digital Classroom, and Project-Based Approaches. More than 1300 teachers have been trained.

The Educational Portal of the Americas' Awareness Program and Meta-Portal on Open Educational Resources (OER). On the topic of production and sharing relevant educational materials, and as a result of the recommendations made by Civil Society organizations to the country representatives at the VI Summit of the Americas, the Portal has been asked to put in motion a Meta-Portal of Open Educational Resources (OER). Several actions were undertaken to create awareness and start defining the Meta Portal functionalities. The PEA has been working closely with the “Presidencia Pro Tempore” of MERCOSUR Educar on this topic.

Regarding Mobile Education, the first online course accessible through mobile devices was launched for a training with CIM.

Office of Education and Culture
ITEN promotes the meaningful use of ICTs in the classroom by teaching teachers innovative strategies for better teaching and learning experiences. ITEN also offers two online courses, one in English and one in Spanish, on how to integrate ICTs in the classroom.

The Educational Portal of the Americas
Online courses offered through the Virtual Classroom includes more than 80 training opportunities with more than 25,000 users.

Initiative:
MuNet (Municipal Efficiency and Transparency)

Description:
MuNet supports municipal governments in their efforts to incorporate information and communication technologies as tools to promote efficiency, transparency and participation.

Activities:
- Training, onsite workshops as well as online courses through the OAS Virtual Campus
- Consulting
- Technology implementation

Beneficiaries:
- Municipalities from Latin America and the Caribbean

Partnerships:
- With National Governments and Municipal Associations

Iniciative:
Technical Notebooks on: "Policies for the Development of broadband in the Americas Region” and "Broadband access technologies"

Description:
The Mexico Declaration of the V Meeting of the Assembly of the CITEL stated that the access to broadband for the most part of the population of the Americas is one of the main challenges for Governments, and therefore CITEL as main telecommunications/ICT body of the region must act as a strategic pillar for the establishment of public policies favoring better regional development and integration;

This initiative will provide updated and detailed information of the experiences that the Member States of CITEL are developing in the matter, including infrastructure expansion and connectivity promotion.

Activities:
- Request Member States to establish a point of contact to exchange information and channel surveys and inquiries regarding the Index of the Technical Notebook on Policies for the Development of Broadband in the Region of the Americas.
- Complete a form for the Technical Notebook on Policies for the Development of Broadband in the Region of the Americas on: 1) Thorough evaluation of the existing situation in each country including existing broadband networks, policies, legislation, regulatory processes and procedures
- Update and circulate for comments the Technical Notebook on Broadband Access Technologies that includes aspects such as: Broadband access, Wireline and Wireless Broadband Access technologies
- Analyze the information submitted to confirm if there are patterns and develop recommendations.
- Liaise with the Permanent Consultative Committee II on identification of spectrum for broadband wireless access technologies.
- Provide human resource capacity for the sustainability of the deployed broadband communication network is strengthened.
- Promote the development of National ICT broadband network plans.
- Promote the development of ICT applications and services. In particular we are working on an initiative on telehealth for the Americas Region.

Beneficiaries:
Member States

Partnerships:
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Initiative:
Equitable Access to Public Information

Description:
This project focuses on the local implementation of the Model Inter-American Law on Access to Public Information. For those OAS Member States which currently have legislation on access to information, this means to examine the current legal framework to gauge whether it complies with the Model Law, and to update the system in case it does not. For those OAS Member States without legislations on access to information, this means assistance in drafting new legislation that incorporates the standards of the Model Law.

This assistance in both types of States will go a long way in helping ensure access to public information across the Americas. Participants countries will have the necessary tools to enact modernize or strengthen their legal framework in this subject. At the end of the project these countries will have a clear understanding of the areas that need improvements, the aspects that need to be addressed and a possible solution to solve these challenges created on the basis of the Model Law.

Activities:
Publication of the Model Law and its Guidelines and other support documentation.
Preparation and publication of project’s dissemination materials (brochure, web page, etc).
Identification and selection of interested Member States requiring technical support and identification of the baseline and the number of states considering the model law as the basis for reform and according to the results of the consultations made with OAS Missions, consequent with the indication No. 1 of the outputs and its expected results.
Identification and recollection of current laws and regulations in each participant country.
Preparation in each participant country of a comparative studies of domestic legal frameworks vis-à-vis the Model Law and its Guidelines.
Consultations and identification of key participants, as well as international experts to obtain their feed back and their participation on workshops, including national machinery or national institutional mechanisms for the promotion of gender equality and women's empowerment.
Hold 6 workshops to discuss the preliminary comparative study and draft recommendations containing modifications of domestic legal frameworks vis-à-vis the Model Law and its Guidelines with the participation of government officials, policy makers, private sector and civil society (including women’s organizations).
Preparation, publication and dissemination of the workshops results among key actors.
Participation and/or organization of seminars and conferences to disseminate the model law.
Design, distribute and analyze surveys among key players to follow up the implementation of the workshop’s findings and recommendations.
Document containing the analysis and evaluation of results from the above mentioned surveys and interviews.
Logistics and organization of a meeting at the OAS to dissemination of the results of the project.
Hold above mentioned meeting.
Preparation and presentation of technical and financial reports.
Direct Beneficiaries:
Six/seven participant’s countries.
Legislators, advisors, executive branch, public information officers and other public officials that participate in the project and perform duties related to the law-making processes and the support of legal and administrative reforms in public administration.
Public information officers and other public officials that participate in the administration and enforcement of access to public information agencies.

Indirect Beneficiaries:
Civil Society Organizations that works in issues such as civil society participation, democracy, transparency, human rights and gender issues.
Population that requires access to public information.
Local Economic Actors that requires access to public information.
Foreign Investors that requires access to public information.
Trade Partners that requires access to public information.

Partnerships:
Alianza Regional para la Libertad de Pensamiento, Expresión e Información, other NGOs to be identified in each particular country.
Transparency International, Carter Centre, Open Society.
The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Initiative:
OAS Virtual Campus

Description:
The OAS Virtual Campus is an online training initiative that combines modern e-learning technology, sound methodology and qualified tutors to provide government officials from throughout Latin America and the Caribbean with the necessary skills to adapt to the knowledge-based society.

Activities:
- Online training on more than 20 different courses.
- Institutional agreements for massive government officials training.
- Certification.

Beneficiaries:
- Governments from Latin America and the Caribbean

Partnerships:
- Canadian International Development Agency, CIDA
- Inter-American Development Bank, IDB
- International Development Research Center, IDRC

Initiative:
Promotion of the use of ICT in health

Description:
To develop and implement a telehealth training programme for students and health workers in the member countries of OAS so as to improve connectivity, the exchange of knowledge and relations between professionals and institutions in the region, as a fundamental contribution towards raising health standards.

Activities:
1. Identification of experts by topic.
2. Selection of trainers and experts for the development of content.
3. Development of curriculum content, teaching strategies, and multimedia formats.
4. Selection of technological centers and/or institutions for the implementation of training activities.
5. Establishment of agreements and/or commitments with training centers and/or organizations.
6. Delivery of courses.
7. Promotion of the course at international level by means of different media and activities and marketing of the course.
8. Use the information gathered for the book and the course as a basis to begin the update of the telehealth publication for the Americas.
9. Assessment and implementation of improvements if needed.

Beneficiaries:
Member States

Partnerships:
Permanent Consultative Committee I (PCC.I),
University of Rosario (Argentina)
Telehealth Network for the Americas "Professor Marcelo Petrich"
Netlogon (Company from Argentina)
FONSOFT (Fondo Fiduciario de la Industria del Software de la República Argentina)

Initiative:
Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) and Health Protection

Description:
This project aims fostering an enabling environment for the deployment of wireless networks and their associated infrastructures in Latin America, mainly regarding the lack of appropriate regulatory frameworks and the social apprehension as to Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF).

The project will: i) evaluate relevant regulations related to the EMF assessment in every country of the region; ii) development general tools (guidelines, practices and regulatory framework) needed to facilitate the deployment of wireless networks with the acceptance of the population; and iii) implement pilot tests in selected countries.

Activities:
- To compile the available information and regulations in organizations and member states with respect to the effects of non-ionizing radiation and the established technical standards.
- To prepare a publication with the gathered information.
- To develop recommendations so as to facilitate the deployment of wireless networks with the acceptance of the population.
- To implement pilot projects in selected countries and to make case studies of the implementation available for others to use.
- To develop a sustainable plan of action to build up social acceptance regarding the installation of antennas.
- To follow up with the specialized organizations such as WHO and ICNIRP related to the human exposure to electromagnetic field in the use of cellular phones handset.
- To discuss with the telecommunication regulators an action plan to divulge to the citizens the safety use of the mobile phones.
- Based in the pilots and the above information, to develop a “Guide of Good Practices” related to the installation of antenna support structures and the municipal regulation, environmental protection, cultural heritage protection, urban planning, radiation monitoring and social communication of radiation effects and its control, based on a dialogue among all stakeholders (mayors, companies, regulators, provinces, etc.).

Beneficiaries:
Member States

Partnerships:
Permanent Consultatice Committee (I,II)
Internacional Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Selected countries for the pilots

Initiative:
Promotion of opportunities of technical training on Telecommunications/Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Description:
To identify and promote training courses on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to meet the needs and priorities of the members of the CITEL.

Activities:
a. To identify the needs and priorities of the members of the CITEL.
b. To coordinate training programs for the CITEL Member States with Regional Training Centers taking into account budget available for scholarships. The course are provided face-to-face and also distance education.
c. To do an assessment of the course materials.
d. To do the announcement of the course through the Scholarships department.
e. To evaluate the applications and select the persons that will receive the scholarships.
c. To coordinate the training in ICT with the Center of Excellence of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the Americas.

Beneficiaries:
Member States

Partnerships:
1. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires - Argentina
2. Universidad de Brasilia - Brazil
3. Telecommunications Executive Management Institute of Canada - Canada
4. Centro Internacional de Capacitación en Telecomunicaciones - Chile
5. Centro Nacional de Electrónica y Telecomunicaciones de la Facultad de
Ciencias Físicas y Matemáticas de la Universidad de Chile - Chile
6. Asociación Colombiana de Ingenieros - Colombia
7. Universidad Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Colombia - Colombia
8. Escuela Colombiana de Ingeniería “Julio Garavito” de Colombia - Colombia
9. Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas - Colombia
10. United States Telecommunications Training Institute - United States
11. Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones de Mexico - Mexico
12. Centro de Innovación Tecnológica – Facultad de Ingeniería de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción (CITEC-FIUNA) - Paraguay
13. Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Capacitación de Telecomunicaciones del Perú (INICTEL-UNI) Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (UNI) - Perú
14. Telecommunications Corporation Suriname Telesur Training Research - Suriname
15. Administración Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, ANTEL - Uruguay
16. Universidad Católica del Uruguay - Uruguay
17. Centro de Formación Centroamericana – COMTELCA
18. Centro de Capacitación en Alta Tecnología CCAT – Argentina
19. Institute of Technology for the Americas (ITLA) – Dominican Republic
20. Neotelis
21. International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

Initiative:
Preparation of the World Radiocommunication Conference, the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly and the World Conference on International Telecommunications.

Description:
Preparation of the region to submit inter-american proposals to: the World Radiocommunication Assembly, the World Radiocommunication Conference, the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly and the World Conference on International Telecommunications. These four conferences took place in 2012.

Radiocommunication Assemblies (RA) are responsible for the structure, programme and approval of radiocommunication studies and are normally convened every three or four years.

WRC are held every three to four years. It is the job of WRC to review, and, if necessary, revise the Radio Regulations, the international treaty governing the use of the radio-frequency spectrum and the geostationary-satellite and non-geostationary-satellite orbits.

The WTSA is held every four years to consider specific matters related to telecommunication standardization.

The WCIT will review the current International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs), which serve as the binding global treaty outlining the principles which govern the way international voice, data and video traffic is handled, and which lay the foundation for ongoing innovation and market growth.

Activities:
- Analyze the agenda for each of the conferences.
- Establish the structure (group) to cover each agenda item.
- Establish the authorities of the group.
- Analyze each agenda item and the preliminary proposals received by the member states.
- Development of DRAFT INTER-AMERICAN PROPOSALS (DIAP): Preliminary proposals which has been supported by more than one Member State, is being considered by PCC.II, has been supported by more than one Member State, and is ready to receive support or opposition of other CITEL Member States.
- Development of INTER-AMERICAN PROPOSALS (IAP): DIAP for which the PCC.II has ended its consideration and discussion, and has met the criteria defined of the development of an IAP.

Benefciaries:
Member States

PEA's Awareness Program and Meta-Portal of Open Educational Resources
The Awareness Program seeks to promote the debate and to propose new initiatives on the topics of ICTs for education, mobile learning and open educational resources (OER). The tools used by the EPA to achieve this are:
• Hands-on workshops designed for teachers at the different levels to learn about the latest in the use of ICTs for education, in partnership with reputable institutions in the region (Mexico 2011, Suriname & Barbados 2012).
• Volunteers Program: during a teacher training workshop in Mexico in 2011, the EPA was able to gauge the interest of teachers and practitioners in being part of the EPA efforts to bring educational opportunities free of charge to teachers in the region. In a first exploratory call to volunteers from among 86 graduates of one of its online courses graduates, the EPA received more than 40 applications for volunteer online tutors.
• Communities of practice: these EPA-hosted virtual spaces for the exchange of information and best practices are aimed at continuing the knowledge-sharing experience that result of the training opportunities and knowledge transfer initiatives offered by the EPA.
• Social Media and Live Broadcasting: the EPA has successfully introduced the use of Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube) and Livestream to teacher training workshops, allowing these educational opportunities to reach a wider audience thanks to the use of ICTs.

The Meta-Portal will offer the population relevant open content and significant strategic tools, including topics for development in the Americas, such as education, SMEs, health, government, and strategies for competitiveness and human development such as: regional physical integration, access to and use of information and communication technologies, disasters, citizen security, poverty, inequality, human rights, and democracy.
This meta-portal will be used to support the process of consolidation and strengthening of each country’s installed capacity for access to and use of ITCs, especially the process of acquisition and dissemination, as a means of promoting development and social inclusion with the creation of locally installed capacity5 that will ensure their efficient and sustainable administration and therefore their appropriation by the community. This program will be supported by a partnership between the OAS, civil society, the private sector, academia, and other international organizations. The sustainable virtual community, consisting of open content, will enable the establishment of networks, exchange of knowledge, dissemination of best practices, and opportunities for innovation.
Additionally, in an effort to strengthen public-private partnerships, the PEA has signed an agreement with Intel® Educar to offer free online teacher training courses, in English and Spanish, starting in July 2012 through the PEA Virtual Classroom. These courses will also be offered in French and Portuguese in the upcoming months, and this free-of-charge training is made possible with the support of our Volunteer Tutors.
The PEA Volunteer Program was launched last May and today includes nearly 600 applicants willing to share their knowledge and expertise in different fields with the goal of expanding training opportunities for individuals of the OAS Member States.

www.educoas.org

Activities:
- Onsite workshops to introduce teachers on the use of ICTs in education
- Set up and hosting of Communities of Practice
- Establish an International Advisory Council for the Meta-Portal initiative
- Coordination of country groups to follow up on the Meta-Portal initiative

Beneficiaries:
- Teachers at all levels (primary, secondary, tertiary and university levels)
- Academic institutions and other educational centers, as well as government agencies, interested in sharing educational material
- Academic institutions interested in developing their installed capacity in eLearning

Partnership:
- Governments of the OAS Member States
- Higher education institutions

RED GEALC, e-Government Network from Latin America and the Caribbean
RED GEALC groups all Directors of e-government from Latin American and Caribbean countries with the aim of accelerating their efforts to bring in information and communication technologies to the functioning of the public administration.
Since 2009, RED GEALC has also a Ministerial level working space that will have its second meeting in 2012 in Costa Rica.
www.redgealc.org

Activities:
- Onsite and online training
- Horizontal cooperation
- Knowledge generation
- Annual awards
- Ministerial meetings.

Beneficiaries: - e-Government Managers from Latin America and the Caribbean

Partnerships: - Inter-American Development Bank, IDB
- International Development Research Center, IDRC

Financing: Canadian International Development Agency, CIDA
Inter-American Development Bank, IDB
International Development Research Center, IDRC

The OAS has activities underway on: development of harmonized policy and regulatory guidelines for the ICT market that promote affordable access to innovative technology and applications; identification of technical standards that promote interoperability among different networks and services; technical analysis for ensuring spectrum availability; promotion of broadband access growth to support applications in the areas of health, education, commerce and government services; use of ICTs for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief; establishment of a framework to build confidence and security against cyber threats and cyber attacks; consideration of public policy issues pertaining to the Internet such as the development of procedures to build trust on the Internet (i.e. Child online protection); capacity building through a range of targeted training courses; and regional cooperation to prepare for International Conferences of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The OAS has signed agreements with 20 organizations and has 20 Regional Training Centers. This collaboration creates an enabling environment, assisting in the identification of priorities and initiatives and building a richer and more inclusive Information Society, in which everyone can participate.