CBS-2016

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The ITU Global ICT Capacity Building Symposium (CBS) is the main global event for capacity development in the field of information and communication technology (ICT). The Symposium brings together stakeholders from across the world to discuss trends and developments in the sector and their implications for human and institutional capacity building. CBS initially focused only on matters related to human resources and thus was targeted mainly to human resources practitioners. It has since broadened its scope to embrace human and institutional capacity building, drawing on a global network of expertise from different regions and stakeholders.

 

 

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CBS-2016 took place in Nairobi, Kenya from 6 to 8 September 2016. The Symposium was organised by the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Communications Authority of Kenya, under the theme “Embracing Capacity Building Opportunities in the Digital Era”.

 

Global leaders have adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as successor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These goals are to be achieved at a time of major digital technology transformation that will impact the way people live and societies operate. Emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) are increasingly becoming a reality. The advent of smart cities and smart societies, as well as the growth of big data, require different sets of knowledge and skills across all sections of society.

 

Governments, industry, universities and other higher education institutions  need to invest in, and develop a range of ICT skills at various levels of immersion, which will not only enable increased participation in the economy, but will ensure the creation of digital citizens for a digital society.

  

 

Two pre-events were held on 5 September 2016. The first pre-event was dedicated to “Capacity Building in Internet Governance” and the second pre-event was dedicated to “Regulators as Enablers and Consumers of Capacity Building”.

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CBS attracts participants from countries worldwide, as well as from regional and international organisations. Panellists and speakers include high-level officials such as Ministers, Director-Generals of Regulatory Authorities, heads of UN Organisations, CEOs of private sector companies, representatives from Universities and research institutions and other experts in ICT capacity building. Several thought leaders from the academic community are expected to make presentations at the Symposium.

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The outcomes of the Symposium will provide strategic guidance to the national and international community, including ITU, on capacity building in the field of ICT, and on strengthening collaboration among the global ICT capacity building community. This will directly contribute to the achievement of the SDGs across all development sectors. For universities and other training providers, the Symposium provides a forum to gauge the needs of the market in terms of training and capacity building in the field of ICT, and helps them shape their training and delivery programmes.