05 May 2016 – The Philippines, led by the Department of Science and Technology and its Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), received an award from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum for its innovative and pioneering work on providing a platform that allows easy public access to services such as training, education and recruitment.

The Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs and Economic Development Project (Tech4ED) was recognized during the WSIS Forum, which provides a venue for countries to exchange strategies and information about narrowing the digital divide and using information and communications technology to enhance development, among other objectives. 

According to DOST-ICTO, the Tech4ED Project aims to establish computer centers in rural areas to create more self-reliant communities through access to connectivity, communication, information, knowledge and vital government services.

Apart from e-Employment for which the Philippines was cited, other sectors where countries were recognized included other WSIS “Action Lines” such as environment, agriculture, science, capacity-building, business and health.

“We are very proud of this significant accomplishment by the Philippine Government, through DOST-ICTO,” said Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva.

“The ‘Action Lines’ related to the use of information and communications technology, and identified by the international community as priority areas for collaboration, have a direct and significant positive impact on the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals,” she added. END