KARACHI (February 21 2010): Microsoft (Pakistan) and the Aga Khan Foundation - Pakistan (AKF-P) have reached an understanding to explore the potential and challenges of using information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development with prominent civil society organisations (CSOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country.

Under the agreement, the AKF-P through financial assistance from Microsoft Pakistan will organise a dialogue in Islamabad next month with prominent CSOs and NGOs who have been using ICTs to address challenges of income and other poverty, health, education, environment, cultural heritage and participation in the country.

Microsoft Pakistan's General Manager Kamal Ahmed commented, "the initiative will help highlight and develop ICTs awareness amongst individuals and institutions from all across the country. CSOs and NGOs will become a more formidable player in the spread of knowledge and education which are the crucial tools of progress in today's age."

The one-day event will highlight areas where ICTs can benefit resource-constrained local CSOs/NGOs and identify opportunities to use these technologies as community-facing solutions that yield tangible outcomes for their beneficiaries.

AKF-P Chief Executive Officer Dr Karim Ali Bhai said, "the event will facilitate CSOs and NGOs to forge strong linkages and promote usage of technology for finding creative solutions to local challenges." This follows an earlier agreement signed between Microsoft and AKF in the US to establish a partnership with Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in the areas of education, youth employment, civil society capacity building, rural economic development, financial and health services in undeserved communities in Africa and South & Central Asia.

Microsoft continues to focus on making technology more affordable, relevant and accessible for under-served communities. Through its unlimited potential commitment, Microsoft is working with governments, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs and industry partners, to meet its first major milestone - to reach the next one billion people who are not yet realising the benefits of technology - by 2015.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010