Vienna, October 2008: ECDL Foundation’s Annual Forum brought together delegates from 52 international organisations and informatics societies representing 148 countries, to plan future activities in support of the i2010 strategy and launch the new syllabus for the ECDL / ICDL Advanced programme. This international event focused on three important themes underlying ECDL / ICDL programmes which support the i2010 strategy: building the Information Society, enabling growth and employment through helping society and the economy reap the benefits of digital literacy, and empowering individuals with the skills necessary to participate in the Information Society.

High profile speakers such as Dr. Christian Dorninger, from the Austrian Ministry of Education and Dr. Ekram Fathi from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt stressed the importance of digital competences and the need for ministries to work together to make the Information Society a reality for all. Dr. Theo Lynn from Dublin City University and Dr. Sam DiGangi from Arizona State University addressed the future of education and informatics in a changing world and the need for lifelong learning.

This meeting enabled the ECDL Foundation to reinforce its commitment to the i2010 strategy and to recognise initiatives and projects that are considered successful examples of best practice in implementing ECDL / ICDL programmes and raising the levels of digital literacy in their regions. ICDL Sri Lanka, the most successful Licensee in the Asia Pacific was represented by Dr. Harsha Alles. ICDL has established itself as the most recognized ICT skills qualification in Sri Lanka. Several Government and Private Institutions including District and Divisional Secretariats of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Hambantota and Matara, Department of Pensions, Foreign Employment Bureau, Sri Lanka Navy, Laksala, Registrar General’s Department, Ministry of Education, UNDP, Worldvision etc. have trained their staff in e-Citizen and ICDL.

Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Damien O’ Sullivan, CEO of the ECDL Foundation noted that “At the ECDL Foundation, we believe that providing digital literacy skills for all is a social, economic and political imperative as well as an important catalyst for growth, we are proud to announce our continued commitment to supporting the i2010 strategy for growth and jobs through our internationally-recognised certification programmes, which harness the benefits of ICT for social and economic life for all”.

About ECDL Foundation
ECDL Foundation is the global body of the world's leading end-user computer skills certification programme. It’s a not-for-profit organisation dedicated raising the level of computer skills in society and providing access for all to the Information Society. Known as ICDL outside of Europe with over 8 million candidates participating in a range of programmes, ECDL Foundation has set the global benchmark in end-user skills certification.

Last modified: 12 September 2008