ICDL GCC Foundation's success in boosting IT literacy in the Gulf lauded at global ECDL CEO Forum

During the event, ICDL GCC Foundation Director General Jamil Ezzo received the IT literacy Award, on behalf of the Foundation from ECDL Foundation's President David Carpenter for the success achieved in furthering IT literacy in the Gulf region through large-scale implementations of the ICDL programme.

The ECDL/ICDL CEO Forum is the principal gathering of the worldwide ECDL/ ICDL community, where representatives from 140 ICDL member countries meet and discuss various topics, including the progress of IT literacy and best practices experienced with the implementation of the ICDL programme around the world. The Forum provides an opportunity for the ICDL community to analyze ICDL case studies, share participants' expertise in the implementation of the ICDL programme, and build upon the successes of each other's experiences.

Discussions at this year's CEO Forum mainly focused on ECDL's pioneering e-Citizen programme. The e-Citizen programme is aimed at expediting the spread of use of computers and Internet among people in the region and equipping more members of the society with basic IT skills that could help them in their daily lives. ICDL GCC Foundation had launched the e-Citizen programme in the Gulf region during the recently-concluded GITEX Dubai 2005.

During the award ceremony Jamil Ezzo received the award on behalf of ICDL GCC Foundation and said,

"We are extremely proud to have been acknowledged for our achievements by the ECDL//ICDL community. We dedicate this award to the GCC countries for their governments' relentless efforts to support ICDL in furthering digital literacy in society, particularly in the governmental and educational sectors. We realize that we have a moral and social obligation to the region - to bridge the digital divide. I reiterate our commitment to supporting the governments of the GCC countries in their effort to build a digital society and express our gratitude to those policymakers that have been supportive in making ICDL the benchmark for digital literacy certification."

David Carpenter also addressed the ECDL/ICDL Licensees from around the world during the ceremony and said, "The Digital Literacy Award is to acknowledge and reward organizations that have made a difference in the advancement of digital literacy in their region. We recognize ICDL GCC Foundation for its achievements in making the ICDL programme a standard in the region, endorsed by the governments of the GCC countries. I also congratulate the Gulf countries on the remarkable progress made with the spread of computer literacy among all sectors of their society."

"The public at large has become more appreciative of the fact that basic computer skills are an essential requirement not just at the workplace, but also in their daily lives. Equally, there is an increased realization among regional governments that developing digital literate society is crucial to remaining competitive in today's knowledge-based economy," Ezzo said. "ICDL GCC Foundation is leveraging this positive scenario by working closely with various organizations and institutions to enhance the scope of the ICDL programme in the Gulf. We have made conscious efforts to ensure that the benefits of IT are extended to all members of society, and have been facilitating the provision of ICDL training and testing to specific communities such as students, teachers, parents, government employees, as well as the disabled."