Help build a people-oriented information society in world

The experts said the information society must provide people with a basic information and communication technology infrastructure at grassroots level to facilitate full utilisation of ICT.

They were speaking at the concluding session of a three-day international workshop on 'Building Information Society: Road 2 Tunis' where ICT stakeholders representing governments, private sectors, academicians and civil societies from five countries adopted the declaration.

The Dhaka Declaration endorsed the importance of ICT so that it can play a vital role in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Science and Information and Communication Technology Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan conducted the workshop as moderator.

Speaking at the workshop, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury said if any country does not tap the potential of ICT, the pace of development would be slower.

"ICT can accelerate the economy and thus contribute to the development much faster," he added.

To establish an information society, the civil society members and the private sector actors must work together, said Abdul Muyeed Choudhury, executive director of Brac.

Managing Director of Grameen Phone Erik Aas, Director Platform 1 of UK Stephen Young, Project Manager of Korea Telecom Cheon Do Park, Chairman of Tunisian IT Chamber Faouzi Zaghbib, and Executive Director of Brazilian Chamber of e-Commerce Cid Torquato were present at the closing session.