On October 22nd, the World Bank || chr(39) || || chr(39) || s Global Information and Communication Technologies || chr(39) || || chr(39) || Sector Manager, Pillippe Dongier came to NIA and held discussions on future cooperation between both institutions with NIA President, Seang-Tae Kim.



NIA President, Seang-Tae Kim explained about some of NIA || chr(39) || || chr(39) || s global activities and ODA projects to Mr. Dongier, including projects narrowing the digital divide in developing countries. These include, sending a total of 3444 Korean Internet Volunteers (KIV) to 67 different countries worldwide and building Information Access Centers (IACs) in 22 different countries. Specifically, by accessing Korea || chr(39) || || chr(39) || s own Global Opportunity Belt utilizing advanced network infrastructure, ICT video conferencing and training by supporting education in developing countries, the digital divide can be diminished and help contribute to local countries || chr(39) || || chr(39) || economies.



Phillipe Dongier commented that the GOB (Global Opportunity Belt) is similar to the World Bank || chr(39) || || chr(39) || s James D. Wolfensohn, who launched the GDLN (Global Digital Learning Network) 10 years ago as a way to help bridge the digital divide in developing countries. Therefore there is some chance to link the network pioneered by the GDLN to what the GOB will be trying to accomplish.



NIA President Kim also mentioned that the promotion of "common standards framework for e-government || chr(39) || || chr(39) || can also be applied to developing countries as it is a good methodology that can be applied and utilized.



Cooperation between NIA and the World Bank will continue as a MOU was signed between NIA and the World Banks DGF (Development Gateway Foundation) back in 2002. Collaboration has continued in earnest in many developing countries and more cooperation will unfold in the future with an emphasis on African countries and narrowing the digital divide in these countries.