THE SASAKAWA PEACE FOUNDATION

ICT Policy Reform and Sustainability in the Micronesian Region

6,000,000 yen [Grant Project]
University of Hawaii (USA)

There are not enough ICT experts in Pacific island nations despite the need to take specific measures to respond to national ICT strategies. To improve the situation, the project will provide officials involved in ICT field in Micronesia with opportunities to learn ICT policies and measures by distance learning. Japanese and US ICT experts will be dispatched to the Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia, and workshops will be held with the experts to help implement ICT measures in these areas. An online forum will be open on the web to share the experience in Micronesia with ICT officials in Polynesia and Melanesia.

The following activities are planned this year.

Consulting and Video Conference (April-December 2007)
Experts will be sent to Micronesia from Japan and/or Hawaii to provide consulting services on the installation of information and communication committees, drafting of bills, and institutional reform. As necessity arises, video conferences will be arranged to facilitate consulting of experts.
Distance Learning
(1) Screening of Auditing Students (April-June 2007)
A total of seven individuals will be selected from applicants recommended by the governments of Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
(2) Program Development and Implementation (April 2007-March 2008)

(Second year of a 3-year project)