UNESCWA Executive Secretary Mervat Tallawy considered the mobile computer school project a join effort between the United Nations agencies in Lebanon, foreign and Arab embassies, civil society organizations, and the banking and private sectors. Tallawy was speaking at a press conference held today to launch the E-Caravan project for South Lebanon implemented by UNESCWA in cooperation with “Fondation Saradar”. The launching took place under the auspices of Lebanese Minister of Communication Marwan Hamadeh represented by the ministry’s Director-General Naji Andraos.
The press conference was attended by British ambassador to Lebanon James Watt, director of the department of international organizations at the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign and Immigrant Affairs Antoine Chedid, Governor of South Lebanon Malek Abdel Khaleq, and President of “Fondation Saradar” Marie-Claude Saradar. The event was attended by a quorum of diplomatic and media figures, representatives of UN agencies in Lebanon, in addition to representatives of the private and public sectors as well as regional and international organizations.
In her statement, Tallawy said that although this is a small project, it is an important development indicator that addresses the weakest link, i.e. rural areas far away from the capital, and the youth generation. It underscores the importance of equipping youth for the future and affording them the chance to get closer at information and communication technology.
Two PowerPoint presentations followed that were presented by Mr. Riad Tappuni, Coordinator for UNESCWA Assistance for South Lebanon, and General Manager of “Fondation Saradar” Tania Helou surrounding the UNESCWA e-Caravan project. Attendees then headed to the e-Caravan parked outside the UN House to witness the launching of the mobile computer school and peruse its contents. The e-Caravan will head to Naqoura to begin operation on 23 January 2006.
The ‘E-Caravan’ partners include UNESCWA, UNIFIL, Fondation Saradar, Bank Audi – Audi Saradar Group, Bankers Assurance sal, the British Embassy, Crown House Group, Triband Middle East sal Off Shore, Inmarsat Global Limited, Formatech Integrated Learning Center, Librairie Halim, Compagnie des Sources du Liban- Sannine, Information Management Limited sarl, Carrosserie Abillama, and the CCE construction company.
The E-Caravan is a fully equipped mobile computer school that roams clusters of villages introducing the world of Information Technology (IT) to communities of the formerly occupied region in South Lebanon. Competent trainers are expected to train around 1,660 people in the course of around 1,248 projected training sessions per year. The E-Caravan is equipped with a network of ten PCs with flat screens, one laser printer, one LCD projector with screen, two satellite connection modems, and other accessories. The E-Caravan also has a ramp that will provide easy access for disabled persons. The content of the different training sessions is based on the needs of the target population. The courses range from ones specifically for beginners to courses for future trainers. The project is implemented in partnership with concerned private companies and in close collaboration with municipal councils, existing local and international organizations and UN agencies.