2022 virtual National ICT Day event scheduled for May 17

May 13, 2022 10:41 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

The National Coordination Committee (NCC) of the 2022 National ICT Day Event has confirmed that this year’s event will be streamed online, due to the continuous effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Vanuatu.

In its recent meeting, the NCC established under the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) and the Office of the Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR), has decided according to the approval given by the Prime Minister, responsible for ICT and Broadcasting/Media, Bob Loughman, that the event of this year will be virtual following current strict COVID-19 protocols in place by the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The virtual event will be held on Tuesday 17th of May at the Malvatumauri Chief’s Nakamal at Nambatu in Port Vila, under the following national theme “Digital Technologies and Healthy Ageing.”

Furthermore, this year 2022 is a very challenging year for the people of Vanuatu as the country is facing the community outbreak of the COVID- 19 pandemic. The most vulnerable group are the older people.

“We have seen ICT as the only means whereby nations, governments, organisations, communities, and people stay connected,” the NCC Chairman, Deputy Chief Information Officer at the Office of the Government Chief Information Office (OGCIO) Mr. John Jack said.

“It is also an opportunity to create a platform for the community to explore how we can accelerate digital transformation in Vanuatu in this challenging time.”

“The National ICT Coordination Committee believes that during the one-day event, participants have a lot to say about Vanuatu’s experience during the COVID-19 restrictions and curfews when the meetings all run to Zoom as an alternative during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the country.”

He added that for past years, ICT has proven that it can and will enable not only a healthier ageing but also a delivery of quality education to children in the remotest corners of Vanuatu, improving access to quality health services, making government services much more accessible, as well as increasing the efficiency of current recovery efforts and economic activities.

The Government of Vanuatu considers that effective use of ICTs is crucial in achieving the national Vision of “Building a stable, sustainable and prosperous Vanuatu.”

The one-day event will focus on two panel sessions and one pitching session, of which one can follow and enjoy these through online on ICT Website page and ICT Facebook page.

Vanuatu started to join the rest of the ITU member countries to celebrate this annual event in 2012 as the National ICT Days.

For the past 9 years, the National ICT Days was celebrated in Port Vila and last year a very successful event was held in Luganville, Santo, SANMA Province, for the first time, outside from Port Vila.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2022 will allow ITU memberships, partners and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the important role of telecommunications/ICTs in supporting people to stay healthy, connected and independent, physically, emotionally and financially – to a life of healthy ageing — and as critical for the sustainability of economic and health systems.

Under the ITU, the telecommunications and information communication technologies (ICTs) have a role to play in achieving healthier ageing, but also in helping people build smarter cities, combat age-based discrimination at the workplace, ensure financial inclusion of older persons, and support millions of caregivers across the world.

The UN General Assembly resolved in March 2006 that the WTISD would take place on the 17th of May, every year.