ICT4Peace: “Strategic use of ICT for Crisis Management” - High-Level Working Lunch, 15th November 2007

The Permanent Representative of Switzerland hosted a High-Level working Lunch, on 15 November 2007. The event was sponsored by the ICT4Peace Foundation with the support of  UN DESA Global Alliance for ICT and Development.

The question of how best to move forward on pre-existing commitments was at the forefront of discussion at the High-Level Working Lunch on the use of ICT for crisis management today, 15th November 2007. Focusing attention on implementation and action, participants noted the progress made thus far, highlighted at the recent OCHA Seminar in Geneva, and stressed the need to build on it. They emphasized the need to develop a set of common standards agreed by different agencies and organisations, both within and beyond the UN, to aid knowledge sharing and communication, and all expressed willingness to work together in order to bring about the changes needed. One significant obstacle was thought to be data security and the unwillingness to share information. The importance of creating a multi-stakeholder collaboration – encompassing both the private sector and those who collate and utilise ICT outputs in the field – was emphasised. It was emphasized that ICT can be used as a tool for progress in areas such as crisis management, humanitarian aid, development, peace building, peacekeeping and UN reform. Participants representing a range of national governments, NGOs and international organisations pledged their support to moving forward work in this field, especially via the initiative taken by the ICT4Peace Foundation, functioning as a Community of Expertise of the Global Alliance for ICT and Development. A key issue identified in the discussion was better information management among all stakeholders, and for that purpose the need for improved setting of common data standards, data sharing, cooperation and interoperability. The importance of the commitment and political will of senior leadership - from both international institutions and national governments - to the principles of ICT usage was seen as critical to success.

Download the PDF to read the full report of the event.