He said that the cost of the technologies is getting lower day by day and usage and deployment is becoming ubiquitous. In turn, it is helping link people across communities, across regions and even borders. 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 equaliser 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.-PR