Supported by the European Commission under FP6 and FP7, IST-Africa is a multi-stakeholder Initiative focused on Training, Skills transfer and Community Building. The aim of these actions is to reduce the Digital Divide, support research capacity building & awareness and EU-African Research Cooperation. IST-Africa is currently focusing on raising wider awareness of African research capacity, promoting participation and identifying co-operation opportunities in fields of mutual interest.

Current Open Calls for Proposals - ICT Work Programme, Call 5 - Opened 30 July, Closes 26 October '09

Previously known as the 'Commonwealth Action Programme for the Digital Divide', 'Commonwealth Connects Programme' is aimed at bridging the digital divide across the 53 countries of the Commonwealth. In this important collaborative effort the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth partner agencies and member countries have formed a multi-stakeholder partnership aimed at tapping available Commonwealth resources to fast track positive change. It is a unique initiative that enables the transfer of technology and expertise across the whole Commonwealth

The Commonwealth Internet Governance Forum (CIGF) provides a focal point for stakeholders and users from the 53 Commonwealth countries to come together to discuss issues relating to the Internet and its governance. The diversity of the Commonwealth, bound by common values of democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law and opportunity for all which unites its members, defines this initiative.The primary objective of CIGF is to promote awareness of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) amongst policy makers, regulators, parliamentarians and stakeholders from industry, civil society and academia in Commonwealth member countries. It seeks to encourage greater stakeholder participation on policy issues and discussions related to Internet Governance. It also aims at promoting awareness of opportunities and solutions, to share best practice and to promote participation in national and regional Internet Governance initiatives which involve Commonwealth countries.

The workshop will touch on a range of issues which need to be addressed by both developing and developed countries, COMNET-IT, on behalf of the Government of Malta and in association with the Commonwealth Secretariat will deliver an intensive programme to illustrate different approaches and experiences, provide a roadmap and tool set for the systematic enactment of a comprehensive and mature Cyber-law framework; and sensitize the participants by providing an understanding of emerging issues. The course is intended for senior and middle-management delegates from legal and policy operational units as well as ICT technologists.

Deadline for submission of applications is 31st March 2010.

This is one of a series of workshops under the Malta-Commonwealth Third Country Training Programme (MTCTP). Commissioned by The Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, through the Governance and Institutional Development Divison (GIDD), of the Commonwealth Secretariat.