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Memorandum of Understanding to Support Multipurpose Technology Community Centres

25
April
2006
Beirut

UNESCWA is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) tomorrow with the Safadi Foundation and the Professional Computer Association of Lebanon (PCA) to initiate collaboration in developing and implementing specific activities aimed at supporting the current Multipurpose Technology Community Centres (MTCC) in Akkar, North Lebanon.

The signing ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, 27 April 2006, at the UN House, Beirut. The MOU will be signed on behalf of UNESCWA by the Chief of the Administrative Services Division, Mr. Ivan Koulov, Mr. Nizar Zakka, Director of PCA, and Ms. Mona Safadi, Vice-President of Safadi Foundation.

Coming in the context of harnessing information and communication technology (ICT) for employment creation and poverty alleviation in Western Asia, the MOU will specify a framework of cooperation between all parties in developing and implementing specific activities related to: supporting the MTCCs in Akkar with a view to reaching sustainability of operations; following up on the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) accreditation process of the MTCCs; developing ICT-based vocational training material through the use of ICTs and producing other digital content tailored to the needs of impoverished communities and small and micro enterprises in order to increase their employment opportunities; providing technical assistance and capacity building within the local community to harness ICT for employment creation and poverty reduction; enhancing the look and feel of the Website on Modern Technologies for Employment Creation and Poverty Reduction in the UNESCWA Region that was deployed by the Commission in April 2005.

Established in 2001, the Safadi Foundation is a broad-based development agency with an integrated development strategy that comprises educational, health, environmental, economic, and cultural components. The Foundation’s development programme mostly strives to promote human development.

The Professional Computer Association of Lebanon (PCA) was established in 1996 as a platform for ICT companies based in and operating from Lebanon. In addition to "Bridging the Digital Divide" which has become one of its major activities, PCA aims at enhancing the capabilities of Lebanon's ICT companies and at transforming Lebanon into a knowledge-enabled economy.