The Nov. 10-12 event held under the patronage of H.E. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and in collaboration with UNCTAD and ITU, in partnership with G@ID, African Union, UNECA, AFDB, World Bank, ASIP and UTICA, hosts Youth & ICT: Source of Inspiration, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum, Parallel Events and Technological Exhibition.
In his speech, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed on the importance of directing youthful energy and imagination towards creating a better world saying: "The present generation of youth has excelled in this pre-eminent quality by harnessing its rebellious spirit into positive creativity. The results in every walk of life and in every sector of the world economy and human society are there for all to see."
Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh also presented the MDG eNabler, a powerful engine to propel developing countries towards the Millennium Development Goals using web-based knowledge tools and information resources including strategic planning based on artificial intelligence to drive it.
Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman of the United Nations Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN-GAID) tackled ICT and Youth: Source of Innovation, Inspiration and Entrepreneurship during the ICT 4 All Forum-Tunis+5 held in Hammamet in Tunisia November 10, 2010.
"I submitted in February 2010 to the UN Secretary-General for his endorsement the concept of a Matrix on ICT for Development, which, with the help of a small team of young people from developing countries, has evolved over the past few months into the MDG eNabler," he said.
"This innovation provides all countries the opportunity to move from advocacy to action in achieving their development goals. I invite you all to join GAID as we move forward towards the implementation of this initiative by March 2011," he added.
According to Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh, the next steps in the implementation of the MDG eNabler will be discussed at the GAID Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi December 5-6, 2010.
"I urge all of you to come to Abu Dhabi and join us in building a grand global coalition which can generate new momentum towards the MDGs," he said.
Leaders and government officials in charge of ICT, telecommunication operators and Internet service providers and experts in the field from Africa, Europe, America and Asia, and Ministers in charge of ICT and many high level representatives of international organizations are currently taking part in the event.
In addition, ICT companies such as Cisco, Microsoft, Ericsson, HP, Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia, Siemens, Huawei Technologies, Oracle, Sun Microsystems, Intel Corp., Thomson, Altran, Dell, Stone Soft, IBM, ZTE, Get IT, LG Electronics, SETU Software, Axia Network, Pole SCS, Tunisie Telecom, Saudi Telecom, Qatar Telecom, Korea Telecom, INSEAD, IDATE, Arthur D. Little, A.T Kearney, JP Morgan are participating in this international event.