MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
The Australian Government and the World Bank today announced a $1.5 billion
partnership to combat global poverty with a state-of-the-art distance education
initiative.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Alexander Downer, MP, and the
President of the World Bank, Mr James D. Wolfensohn, meeting in Sydney, unveiled
a bold new plan to share Australian expertise with developing countries using
information and communication technologies (ICTs).
The Australian Government has pledged $200 million to what will be known as
the Virtual Colombo Plan, aimed at creating opportunities to improve education
and access to knowledge across the developing world for everything from primary
school teacher training to advanced courses for policymakers.
The World Bank has already earmarked initial expenditures of approximately $1,300 million over five years for a range of global distance learning activities that will support the new partnership with Australia and draw other developed countries into a global information-sharing network.
Mr Wolfensohn said the Bank was working with a range of other donor
governments in areas related to the delivery of the Virtual Colombo Plan, but
was personally delighted that the Australian Government had committed to the
scheme. 'This is an initiative that all Australians can be proud of in providing
new opportunities for helping to meet the poverty challenge,' he noted.
Capitalising on Australia's experience and innovation in many fields, the new
plan provides a platform for Australia's world-class technology companies,
research institutions and education providers to share their knowledge and
skills.
'As a regional leader Australia is in a unique position to help close the
digital divide and offer affordable distance education,' Mr Downer said.
'Access to education and information is crucial to the development process
and this initiative will focus on providing access that is affordable and
widespread.
'The choice can no longer be between meeting basic needs and adopting dvanced
technology. Instead, developing countries need and deserve both,' Mr Downer
said.
In congratulating the Australian Government for joining forces with the World
Bank, Mr Wolfensohn stressed his belief that the work of bringing knowledge and
information to developing countries 'is as important as - if not more important
than - capital as an engine of economic development.
'Australia is conversant with numerous languages, possesses expertise in many
areas of knowledge, and boasts state-of-the-art technological ability - a
compelling combination for delivering skills, education and training to a
developing world where we can expect an extra two billion people in the next 25
years. This is a fantastic leadership role for Australia to take in helping to
overcome the global poverty challenge.'
The Virtual Colombo Plan builds on the ideals of the original Colombo Plan
that celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Colombo Plan is
the world's oldest program of cooperation between nations focused on economic
and social development.
Australia was one of the seven founding members of the Colombo Plan that
provided thousands of scholarships for students to study in Australia and
facilitated much-needed technical assistance for developing countries.
Media Contacts:
Matt Francis ( Ministerial ) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206
890
Fionna Douglas (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489
Graham Barrett
(World Bank) 0438 301 848 gbarrett@worldbank.org
See more about AusAID at www.ausaid.gov.au
and more about the World Bank and its global distance learning initiatives at www.worldbank.org