May 2008 Issue

Note from Editor

Welcome to our slightly revamped ICT in Government newsletter, which keeps you in touch and in tune with ICT developments.

This issue’s highlight is of course the 7th SADC ICT in Government Summit taking place between 29 and 31 May in Mauritius. We have secured a number of inspiring speakers and discussions that should assist in realizing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

The role of the ICT sector in achieving these goals is critical. The summit is an opportunity to interrogate challenges facing government and how e-Government can be used to enhance service delivery in the SADC region.

Also in this issue is a story on ‘going green for IT’ as a solution to global warming. Read ForgeAhead’s take on energy, mining, aviation and manufacturing and how these sectors can transform to address climate change. We also bring you news about e-security and talk about the need for integrated ICT policies.

You are of course most welcome to share your ICT news with us which we will gladly include in our upcoming issues. Please also feel free to send us your comments and suggestions on how we can communicate better and more effectively with you.

We trust that you will find this communication of interest.

Until next month!
Bongeka Lwana
 

In this Issue
 
ForgeAhead announces focus on e-government for upcoming ICT Summit

     FORGEAHEAD, together with Telkom - the Premier Knowledge Partner - will dialogue
     with stakeholders in Government and Private Sector on the status and use of    
     technology in governments in the SADC region. ForgeAhead’s current SADC
     ICT in Government Research, undertaken between November 2007 and April 2008,
     provides the framework for the content to be delivered at the Summit. more...

ICTs as a tool for service delivery under spotlight at SADC
Summit

     KEY INFORMATION and Communication Technology (ICT) players will converge in
     Mauritius for the 7th SADC ICT in Government Summit and Networking Forum on
     29, 30 and 31 May 2008. The conference organized annually by Forge Ahead,
     more...

Government must lead the charge on ICT deployment says ForgeAhead

     SEVERAL PRIORITIES are driving the move towards the ‘single public sector’ concept.
     Most notably, these include the need to reduce costs and remove duplication, improve
     customer service and drive transparency between government departments. more...

Government must get tough on electronic threats says Forge Ahead
 
     PUBLIC and private sector organisations need to make protecting themselves against
     the threat of electronic security attacks and viruses a priority. “With spam and viruses
     costing companies more than $50 billion per year, it is clear that combating these forms
     of attack will be a key driver in the future,” says Ashraf Patel, head of consulting at
     ForgeAhead more...
 
Integrated ICT policies needed says ForgeAhead
 
     PUBLIC sector ICTs are now focusing on the public as a departure point for its service
     delivery strategy. “While this is a good start, in fulfilling its mandate to represent and be
     accountable to its citizens, government has to act like an enterprise,” says Ashraf Patel,
     head of consulting at ForgeAhead. more...

Going green for IT
 
    FORGEAHEAD's 2007 National Report has found that the drive towards  energy
     efficient homes, cars, and businesses is a largely untapped solution that can help
     resolve global warming concerns. more...