Networking with Cisco Systems: 'central to the mission of UNDP'.

• Author: Park, Katrin Eun-Myo
• Position: United Nations Development Programme

Cisco Systems, Inc., a global leader in networking for the Internet, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly launched the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Initiative at the G-8 Summit in July 2000. Since the announcement of the strategic partnership, CISCO SYSTEMS, UNDP, the United Nations Volunteer programme (UNV), the United Nations Information Technology Service (UNITeS) and the United States Agency for International Development have been working together to train students for the Internet economy by establishing the Cisco Networking Academy Program in more than half of the world's LDCs that suffer from poverty, as well as from weak human resources and economic institutions.

The Networking Academy Program is a comprehensive 560-hour course designed to provide students with conceptual and practical skills that will enable them to design, build and maintain computer networks. It comprises Web-based educational content, online testing, student performance tracking, hands-on laboratories, and instructor training and support, and is offered at high schools, technical schools, universities and other community-based organizations. At the end of the curriculum, students are prepared for the Cisco Certified Networking Associate examination.

The LDC Initiative highlights the possibilities of strategic partnerships and is a leading example of the collaboration between the United Nations and the private sector to meet the urgent needs of LDCs, by giving their students the same quality training in information technology (IT) as in advanced countries. There are currently 49 LDCs designated by the United Nations, the majority in sub-Saharan Africa. Constituting the most deprived part of the international community and their economic and social development, LDCs have a combined population of 610.5 million, or 10.5 per cent of the world's population. As UNDP consulted country offices, Governments and academic institutions of LDCs, using its expertise in economic and social development and familiarity with the local and regional situations in 132 different countries, Cisco Systems established a deployment strategy for each country. Shortly, the partners were able to create strong communication links at all levels, mainly through e-mail

When problems arose, including Governments' withholding of funds for tuition, strikes or political coups, Cisco Systems and the development arm of the United Nations worked together to address them...