On August 28, 2012, a delegation from Thailand's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology as well as other government organizations and academia visited NIA to have a meeting with NIA President Seang-Tae Kim and other management in order to learn more about information inclusion initiatives in Korea.



The delegation numbered 17 people who were not only from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology but also the National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand Research Fund, Quality Learning Foundation, Thai Centre Academy Institute, National institute for Child and Family Development as well as various Thai universities. The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of Thailand's Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Ms. Jirawan Boonperm. She first had a welcome meeting with NIA President Kim in his office where both were able to discuss on a broad high level digital and information inclusion policies in their

respective countries and how they could collaborate for more policy ties in the future.



After the meeting with NIA President, the Permanent Secretary and the rest of the delegation had a meeting set up in order to discuss specific information inclusion programs and projects. It was at this meeting that NIA management presented those initiatives that were undertaken to close the digital divide. Some of these include supplying communicative assistive devices to disabled persons, group and home visit education programs for the neglected classes of people, etc. NIA also mentioned the supplying Green PC of Love project that enables the supply of free PCs to those who have difficulties in purchasing IT devices due to economic restraints and barriers. The Thai delegation showed particular interest in the communication assistive devices so it was explained that these included, special screen reading software, alternative keyboards and video phones to help those who may be deaf or blind.



Another part of the meeting delved into education and training programs that the Korean government has offered to various classes of citizens who are neglected from accessing information. These include special training and education for those with disabilities, elderly and new vulnerable

classes. New vulnerable classes in Korea might include marriage immigrants who need some education and training in order to be more socially, economically independent and competitive in Korean society. Home education visits for vulnerable groups as well as online education courses have been developed in order to cover a wide scope and more people. One other group and training

course that was mentioned was NIA and the Ministry of Unification working together in order to provide specialized IT education as well as general practical education on informatization for North Korean defectors so that they may better adapt to the information society and realize a smooth settlement in South Korea.



The Permanent Secretary and the rest of the delegation thanks the NIA President and hosts for the informative session and talked of further collaboration in getting information inclusion policies set up in Thailand.