GK3: An Event on the Future

For three days innovators, development practitioners, and policy makers from around the world convened at the Kuala Lumpur Conference Center in Malaysia for the 3rd Global Knowledge Conference (GK3). GK3 provided a discussion forum to exchange knowledge and views on issues related to Knowledge for Development (K4D) and Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D).

1,766 participants from 135 countries contributed to the GK3 proceedings. Of these 81% were from developing countries, while women and youth made up 38% and 23% respectively.

The three themes (Emerging People, Emerging Markets, Emerging Technologies) were debated in the various sessions by speakers and the audience in close interaction. With a strong focus on youth, women, and migrants, GK3 sought to drive home the message: markets drive development – in access, effective use of ICT, and governance. The need, therefore, is for transparent and effective ICT policies by governments that can create and support new markets.

Supporting ICT Innovators: Policies, Strategies, and Tools

On Tuesday, December 11, infoDev hosted two sessions in the Emerging Markets track entitled "Supporting ICT Innovators: Policies, Strategies, and Tools".

• Creating an Ecosystem for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: From Policy to Reality
  Policy makers from Brazil, Chile, India, and South Africa discussed the importance of their national innovation policies, the role of business incubation in national innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, and the key policy constraints to successful ICT-enabled innovation and entrepreneurship, including ICT infrastructure and skills, financing, and R&D, along with the importance of promoting a strong culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. Some of the key findings of the discussion were that education is critical to nurture diverse skills needed to bring products to market, and that networks play a essential role in creating a vibrant platform for mutual support and the sharing of knowledge, skills and experience.
  
• Growing Businesses - Supporting Mechanisms
  Five representatives from China, Chile, The Philippines, and Uruguay discussed the supporting mechanisms necessary for nurturing entrepreneurs, including business incubation and capacity building. Entrepreneurs and business incubator managers discussed the role of business incubation in facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship and the impact that they are achieving. Two key messages derived from the discussion: first, there is no single model for developing business incubators; second, innovation is not just technological. It also referes to improved processes, marketing innovation and ICT-enabling traditional sectors to stimulate growth.

The panelists presentations can be downloaded here:

Creating an Ecosystem for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: From Policy to Reality

Growing Businesses - Supporting Mechanisms

Internet-driven Knowledge: the future of the Internet

The final day plenary under the Emerging Technologies track raised some fundamental questions on the future of the Internet.  Will the future Internet further change the way we live and what might the nature of those changes be? Can current Internet architecture sustain the increasing demand for bandwidth? How can public and development interests be protected? 

A group of experts gathered at the plenary to discuss these questions. With the ever-increasing impact of the Internet on our daily routine in the ways we work, live, and entertain, Internet governance issues related to cocntent policy and e-security have become highly relevant. Valerie D’Costa, infoDev Program Manager, who participated as a panelist, pointed out the vital role of the Internet Governance Forum and other bodies in recognizing the whole range of Internet vulnerabilities.

“The user perspective is primal to the Internet...technology is the conduit. It is the user that drives it,” said D’Costa. 

With only a billion connected, the future will be evolutionary, said George Sadowsky, Executive Director, Global Policy Initiative. “New devices, niche markets will grow,” he added, while cautioning that some e-markets may fail. He also noted that privacy will be a growing concern in the social market space.

To learn more about this event, watch the videos from the special keynote addresses and download the GK3 presentations, please visit www.gkpeventsonthefuture.org/gk3.