Over 250 people attended the APEC forum. |
The digital economy offers new opportunities for women to manage their work and personal commitments more effectively. ICT empowers women to choose the path that will give them a good sense of satisfaction and fulfilment while contributing to society.
This was the key thrust of the opening address by RADM(NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, at the 5th APEC Digital Economy Forum for Women which was held on 3 August 2009.
In his speech, RADM(NS) Lui cited examples of how ICT has enabled home-based businesses in both urban and rural settings to export their products and services to a wider market. In rural Thailand, for instance, producers of handicraft have learnt to leverage e-commerce to increase their sales and widen their business network.
In view of the many benefits, he expressed the hope that “all of you here who are leaders in your own field, will be able to positively influence others to embrace technology and leverage on ICT to improve the way we work, live, learn and interact”.
The Forum, which was held at the Raffles City Convention Centre, was hosted by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore; Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Korea; and the Sookmyung Women’s University, Korea. It attracted more than 250 participants from 21 APEC economies.
RADM(NS) Lui noted that the event has become “an important platform for APEC women leaders to share their experiences and facilitate potential collaborations so as to empower and enhance the role of women in the area of infocomm technology”.
His Excellency, Ambassador Michael Tay, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat in Singapore, pointed out that the aims of the Forum and APEC were similar. APEC, he said, has worked for two decades to increase prosperity in the region via free and open trade and investment. “Given that women make up more than half of the population, ensuring that women play an economically productive role is key to the region’s prosperity.”
Participants at the forum. |
Not all segments of society have benefitted from globalisation, he said, adding that APEC will continue to increase its focus on those who are lacking in skills and education, those in remote or developing communities, as well as the small and medium enterprises. “These are all groups in which women are disproportionately represented,” he noted.
Information and communication technologies, the ambassador said, “are some of the most empowering tools in history”. “Improving women’s access to ICTs will therefore help us build economies that are more resilient and inclusive, and ensure that the benefits of trade are spread more widely."
Ms Tan Kar Joo, Senior Director, Government Cluster Group, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, delivered the keynote presentation at the Forum. In her presentation, she highlighted how ICT developments in Singapore such as the National Broadband Network and the Wireless Broadband Network are aimed not only at propelling the country to the forefront of ICT but also at improving the lives of residents.
The Forum also included breakout sessions focusing on Research, Capacity Building and Skills Development, Fostering ICT-enabled Environment & Supporting Policies, and Best Practices.