ICDL GCC Foundation launches new IT literacy initiative at GITEX Dubai 2005

e-Citizen is an initiative developed by the European Computer Driving Licence Foundation, and is being launched worldwide in response to the urgent need for an increase in e-skills within the community as a whole, as highlighted in the e-Europe 2005 Action Plan. The programme seeks to provide essential IT skills to empower people with the required proficiency to use computers and Internet to be able to utilize online services offered in their countries, such as government services, paying bills, enrolling in courses, making holiday reservations, shopping, banking, trading, searching for jobs, or taking part in online discussion forums.

The e-Citizen programme has its own syllabus. However, content is customized for each country taking into consideration the online services offered by local governments and businesses. The programme is divided into three blocks to include the Foundation Skills Block which gives candidates skills for basic computer and Internet use, the Information Search Block which makes candidates aware of the extent of information available on the Internet in the areas of news, government, travel, education/training, and employment, and the e-Participation Block which introduces the candidate to the online world, building on the computer and search skills already acquired. e-Citizen candidates must take a single test which covers the three blocks, and in the end they will be able to confidently carry out their everyday tasks using the Internet.

"Despite the remarkable success the ICDL programme has achieved in spreading IT literacy in society and the workplace, we believe there is still a long way to go to realise our vision for an e-Society," said Jamil Ezzo, Director General, ICDL GCC Foundation. "The digital divide has grown tremendously as millions of people are still excluded from the Information Society because they lack the necessary skills. ICDL is engaging organizations in the public and the private sectors in promoting IT literacy through sponsorships," Ezzo said.

Successful e-Citizen candidates will receive an international certificate as well as a smart ID card that has a unique barcode and number. To encourage people to sign up for the e-Citizen programme and complete the official exam, e-Citizens will earn points each time they perform a transaction online on selected websites. These points will be accumulated on their personal ID cards and will be redeemable for free travel and hotel stay and more. ICDL GCC Foundation is exploring partnerships with a number of governments, banks, airlines and retailers, to offer express services or discounts to certified e-Citizens.

"The e-Citizen programme will play a vital role in the successful implementation of the e-Government initiatives in the region and facilitate a faster transformation towards an efficient and knowledge-based society," Ezzo added. "Some of the GCC governments have invested heavily in that direction. Governments in the region are keen on encouraging citizens to explore the benefits of Information Technology and switch to electronic channels, in light of the regional economic boom."