Shoji Nishimoto, Assistant Administrator and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Development Policy, brief ed civil society members on a new UNDP taskforce which will discuss financing mechanisms for bridging the digital divide between developed and developing nations. The taskforce, yet to be formed, will feature representatives from government, civil society and the private sector, who will identify successful strategies for funding sustainable, replicable models to bridge the divide. Nishimoto said the UNDP will seek nominations for experts with experience in implementing funding programs and digital divide initiatives, including programs that have creatively addressed the divide from various perspectives, including infrastructure, education, content, etc.
Nishimoto expects the taskforce to be constituted by the end of July, with work commencing immediately via the Internet and occasional in-person meetings. Mark Malloch Brown, director of UNDP, has asked Nishimoto to report the findings of the taskforce by this December, in order to allow for time to review the report prior to the second Prepcom meeting, expected to be in Geneva early in 2005. Nishimoto predicted around 17 or 18 taskforce members; there will also likely be a mechanism for non-members of this taskforce to submit opinions on the subject via the Internet