GESCI 1588 views

The Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GESCI) is an international non-profit organisation founded on the recommendation of the United Nations Task Force on Information Communication Technology (ICT). GESCI was established in 2003 at the first World Summit on the Information Society.The United Nations ICT Task Force identified education as an area in critical need of development, and one where ICT has the potential to make a positive impact. Initially GESCI was headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and in 2011 moved its headquarters to Nairobi, Kenya.GESCI’s mandate is to assist governments in the socio-economic development of their countries through the widespread integration of technology for inclusive and sustainable knowledge society development.Much of GESCI’s work is with Government Ministries and their related agencies, responsible for education, science & technology, innovation, and vocational training. The objective is to bring about transformation in these sectors through the innovative use of ICTs. GESCI supports them withtechnical assistance implementation assistance strategic advice GESCI collaborates with partners to improve education, empower communities and accelerate socio-economic development through the use of technology. GESCI provides technical and strategic advice to countries and builds their capacity to develop and implement national strategies and plans to advance their overall education and development objectives in support of developing inclusive knowledge societies.In its work GESCI is sensitive to the changing needs and priorities of developing country governments. In recent years it made adjustments to its operational model and made greater investments in its implementation expertise, as policy needs of governments were increasingly satisfied, and the challenge of successfully implementing strategies became more pressing for them. GESCI has always been a demand and needs driven organisation, and its flexibility and adaptability are some qualities which ensure its continued relevance.“L’initiative Global e-Schools and Communities (GESCI) conjugue le pouvoir des TIC pour répondre aux besoins du secteur de l’éducation. Elle ne permet pas uniquement l’amélioration de l’éducation, mais également l’émancipation des individus, le renforcement de la gouvernance ainsi que l’ouverture de nouveaux marchés et stimule nos efforts pour atteindre les Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement.” Kofi Annan, Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies, 2003.