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The President's Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI) aims to harness the strengths of the US public and private sectors to help the developing world utilize information and communication technologies (ICTs) to resolve development challenges.
The initiative involves multiple federal agencies, the private sector, non-profit organizations and universities. Download Factsheet 90K PDF.
Pakistan Telemedicine
The Pakistan telemedicine project, still under development, is a DFI initiative to promote use of ICTs to help Pakistan address its health care needs. This project will assist Pakistani government efforts to expand health coverage to rural areas via telemedicine, thereby expanding public demand for connectivity. The project is a component of the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Partnership Dialogue led by the State Department.
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Consumer Electronics Show January 7-10, 2008, Las Vegas, NV
The Digital Freedom Initiative along with the Consumer Electronics Association hosted a special event at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), "Technology and Emerging Countries, Advancing Development Through Technology Investments."
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History
The DFI was launched on March 4, 2003 at the White House, where the Governments of Senegal and the United States agreed to pilot the DFI. Since 2003 the DFI has grown to encompass programs in many countries using ICTs to help spur economic growth and policy reform. The DFI approach leverages the leadership of the US government with both the creativity and resources of American business and the vision and energy of local partners throughout the developing world.
Objectives for the DFI in 2008
- Encouraging regulatory reform to foster a pro-competitive and
enabling environment.
- Enhancing access and connectivity to ICT services in
underserved areas and across regions.
- Expanding the use of technology in health care, for
example, with the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
- Expanding the use of technology in education.
- Assisting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises to increase their
efficiency by using ICTs.
Past Efforts:
- DFI Internationally - DFI partnered with the Consumer Electronics Association to host the first ever "Technologies and Emerging Countries" program at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, CEO Paul Jacobs of Qualcomm, and Dr. Nick Negroponte of One Laptop per Child were among the speakers highlighting the role technology plays in development.
- DFI in East Africa - DFI co-sponsored a May 2007 workshop with the Government of Rwanda that led to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the U.S. and ministers from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda to harmonize and fast-track regional efforts to expand broadband connectivity
- DFI in Senegal - Over 100 private entities in Senegal have benefited from the entrepreneurial and information and communication technology skill training provided during the first years of the effort.
- DFI in Peru - The U.S. Government, working with Intel, Cisco, Motorola, Voxiva and Hewlett Packard, is helping to support the Government of Peru's efforts to promote the spread of the Internet to more than 1,000 rural locations. http://www.dfiperu.org
- DFI in Jordan - U.S. business volunteers have been assisting USAID and other government efforts to provide technical assistance, encourage innovative uses of ICT, and support policy reform.
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