Multimedia business conference opened

A TWO-DAY International Multimedia Conference of Future Business and Administration in Africa, which has brought together some 200 decision makers from both the private and public sectors of over 200 decision makers both in private and public sector from Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, Finland and Sweden, was opened in Windhoek yesterday.

The conference is targeting ways to support African information, knowledge and communication and business development. Officially opening the conference, named From Local to Global, the Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing, Joel Kaapanda said the government was committed to promoting the use of information and communication technologies (ICT’s) for national development.”Since the 1990s the Namibian government has increased its efforts to adjust to the information society development.At the national level, there is a nascent policy framework on ICT, as well as a stated commitment by the Namibian government to promote the use of ICT for national development as expressed in both Vision 2030 and the national development plan.”He added that it has been recommended that the office of the prime minister urgently prepare an Open source strategy software for the government, based on proper analysis of the Namibian context.Also addressing delegates at the conference was the President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, through video recording.President Ahtisaari said small nations through ICT have opportunities in the global world.He said ICT’s innovations play an important role in facilitating communication and helps bring partnerships to fruition.He added that through ICT, the developing world could ease on some of its burdens like HIV-AIDS.President Ahtisaari also said technology had helped Finland become a success story and the same could be done in Africa.Other keynote addresses included those from Finland Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Telecom Namibia MD Frans Ndoroma, Timo Palander of the Municipality of Lempaala Finland, Namibia polytechnic rector Dr Tjama Tjivikua, NCCI chairman and NamPower MD Dr Leake Hangala, Group MD Kingdom Financial Holdings Zimbabwe Nigel Chanakira and Francis Masawi CEO Motraco Mozambique.The conference was organised by NetAcademy Africa, Telecom Namibia, SAP, Namibia Information Technology Association, Schoolnet NA and NBC in cooperation with the Finnish government and the Swedish Embassy in Windhoek.The From Local to Global conference ends today with conclusions and an action plan for continuing the process.Officially opening the conference, named From Local to Global, the Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing, Joel Kaapanda said the government was committed to promoting the use of information and communication technologies (ICT’s) for national development.”Since the 1990s the Namibian government has increased its efforts to adjust to the information society development.At the national level, there is a nascent policy framework on ICT, as well as a stated commitment by the Namibian government to promote the use of ICT for national development as expressed in both Vision 2030 and the national development plan.”He added that it has been recommended that the office of the prime minister urgently prepare an Open source strategy software for the government, based on proper analysis of the Namibian context.Also addressing delegates at the conference was the President of Finland, Martti Ahtisaari, through video recording.President Ahtisaari said small nations through ICT have opportunities in the global world.He said ICT’s innovations play an important role in facilitating communication and helps bring partnerships to fruition.He added that through ICT, the developing world could ease on some of its burdens like HIV-AIDS.President Ahtisaari also said technology had helped Finland become a success story and the same could be done in Africa.Other keynote addresses included those from Finland Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, Telecom Namibia MD Frans Ndoroma, Timo Palander of the Municipality of Lempaala Finland, Namibia polytechnic rector Dr Tjama Tjivikua, NCCI chairman and NamPower MD Dr Leake Hangala, Group MD Kingdom Financial Holdings Zimbabwe Nigel Chanakira and Francis Masawi CEO Motraco Mozambique.The conference was organised by NetAcademy Africa, Telecom Namibia, SAP, Namibia Information Technology Association, Schoolnet NA and NBC in cooperation with the Finnish government and the Swedish Embassy in Windhoek.The From Local to Global conference ends today with conclusions and an action plan for continuing the process.