IKED - Activities

Activities

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..:: IKED prepares foundation for wider adoption of open source for development
In response to a need for practical guidance on how to handle the introduction of secure open source-based technology for IT systems as the use of ICT expands in developing regions, IKED has developed proposals for the establishment of centres to support the learning needs of public and private entities, in particular for administrators of public services and SMEs. Administrators of small and large networks benefit from having a broader understanding of their options when considering alternative avenues for establishing IT infrastructures, and mechanisms for their use, in ways most conducive to their development.
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..:: Policy reforms for Diversification
The countries of the Middle East, and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries in particular, are entering a new stage of diversifying their economies away from high dependency on oil and natural resources. Their past focus on investment in real estate and physical infrastructure is gradually being replaced by an increased emphasis on human capital, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. There is still a long way to go, however, and much need of analysis and increased awareness of outstanding issues and ways forward. Through collaboration with governments as well as other main stakeholders, IKED has been engaged in this agenda through a number of projects, policy reviews and awareness-building campaigns, including in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
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..:: Innovation Systems for Natural Resource-Rich Economies
IKED is carrying out analysis and research to help put in place better methods and indicators to measure progress in the transition of Natural Resource-based Economies (NREs) towards Knowledge-Based Economies (KBE). Among its key projects, IKED is working with the central authorities of Abu Dhabi on the development of an innovation index tailored to reflecting progress on the specific challenges confronting NREs.
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..:: Identity Management in the Digital Society
Fulfilling the potential of the Digital World requires that progress can be made in developing comprehensive solutions capable of enabling appropriate authentication mechanisms in all exchanges and transactions. Such mechanisms are needed to address serious flaws currently hampering security, integrity and privacy, and thereby the functionality of the information society in its entirety. The consequences reach far beyond the nuisance of spam and cyber-crime. Ultimately at stake is the real world itself.

Since 2003, IKED has played an active role in analysis and policy work on these issues. At the ASEM conference which IKED hosted that year in Malmö and Helsingborg, concrete proposals were put on the table for collaboration between Asia and Europe to share information and work on common solutions. In the following years, IKED led the international effort to prepare for the establishment of the Global Trust Center(GTC). As part of that task, IKED hosted the steering committee that coordinated the first stage of the GTC agenda. In the subsequent years, IKED organized the secretariat supporting the annual meetings of the GTC International Council, which now includes representatives from more than 30 countries around the world. Meanwhile, IKED has continued work in this area along other complementary tracks, including with the United Nations and the European Union. From 2009, IKED has worked with partner organizations to prepare for a new generation of collaborative projects in this area.
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..:: Patient Certification
The Patient Certificate Scheme (PCS) has developed a concept and methodology for providing the means and the incentives to enable individuals to resume a greater responsibility for their health, particularly through innovative use of Information and Communications Technology. IKED has contributed to the agenda by carrying out background analysis and administrative work. IKED continues to collaborate with a widening international network of partners engaged in researching as well as preparing to launch and diffuse the scheme.

The PCS aims to increase awareness among people in various parts of the world, and to deliver services which will help improve wellness for the long-term. New applications of mobile telephony, coupled with appropriate means for learning and inspiration, are applied to spur beneficial adjustments to human behaviour.
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..:: International Collaboration on Women Entrepreneurship
The conditions confronting Women Entrepreneurship and Women-owned SMEs give rise to major distortions and inefficiencies in many societies. In recent years, IKED served on the OECD Task Force on Fostering Women's Entrepreneurship in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Countries. Previously, jointly with Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP), IKED organised a panel at the World Knowledge Forum in Seoul, Korea, on programmes for upgrading of competencies related to management and the introduction of ICT in women-owned SMEs, resulting in a Handbook on how to develop programmes supporting practical action and competence development in this area. Working with partners in France, Morocco and Turkey, IKED is actively engaged in fostering women entrepreneurship through advocacy and practical experience in training at business labs, incubators and science parks.
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..:: A Comprehensive Approach to SMEs and Competence Development
Starting in 2003, IKED developed a novel approach to more coherent policies for upgrading of skills that are relevant to the specific situation of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). In collaboration with NUTEK (the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth), IKED further examined the experience of a number of countries in applying similar strategies under varying conditions, in support of SME competitiveness and regional development. The report "Competence Development for Growth - International Outlook and Analysis" sums up approaches and experiences gained by a number of countries, and presents a way forward to devising improved strategies.
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..:: The UN agenda on Globalisation has turned towards R&D and Innovation
UNCTAD has strong experience of publishing critical and constructive analysis on FDI and what measures should be taken by developing countries to attract increased investments. In recent years, however, an increasing number of countries have been requesting enhanced analysis on what domestic reforms and institutional upgrading are required to ensure a better platform for gains in the globalizing economy. Against this background, UNCTAD is examining new avenues forward. Among them studies on science and technology, so-called STEP reviews, are being prepared for selected countries. IKED is engaged in this agenda since its analysis on behalf of UNCTAD of the Moroccan innovation system in 2007. In 2009, IKED contributed to the Annual Ministerial Session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology, held in Geneva.
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For further information, contact info@iked.org

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