Introduction Rapidly growth in information communication and technology is one of the greatest challenges for mostly developing nations who are wrestling with complex issues in relation to sustainable development. With her small population of about 2 million inhabitants, Namibia has the highest income inequality rate in the world and efforts to breach the gap between the poor and the rich seem, elusive. Majority of the citizens live in areas where abject poverty and inadequate access to public services persist. Taken together, the 1991 population and housing census enumerated 28 percent of the total population in urban and 72 percent in rural areas. In essence, Namibia is still largely a rural population. It has become apparent that such as a scenario, if not systematically challenged through targeted programs and projects may adversely contribute to stagnated development if not unsustainable efforts. It is scholarly argued that government and private sector intervention through policy and deliberate empowerment programs is needed to bridge the digital divide between rural areas and urban centres which profoundly purports poverty and underdevelopment. Although concerted efforts are being made by government, Namibia is still lagging behind in ICT integration. ICT is still seen as a luxury by many people and while rural populations would prefer to shy away from this revolution, they are unwillingly bundled in the wagon and there seem not be options out there, but to join the information society – ICT is here to stay! More so, the interaction of rural and urban populations and the inherent relations in commerce and industry exerts pressure on societal formation and might as well be one of the stronger forces prompting the need for integration of nations. The application of ICT tools is recognised broadly as a fundamental way of assisting citizens to access statutory rights enshrined in their constitution but bring about participatory development and deepening the values of democracy. ICT is a catalyst tool for economic development and social emancipation for developing countries such as Namibia.
Information further enables entrepreneurs to seek and meet business investment through research. A website for instance is a window onto the international market promoting innovation. With the many resources such as kiva.org, ICT can assist to uplift the standard of life in particular for rural populations. ICT in education provides the promise of change Many institutions in Africa are using mobile phones to keep in touch with students. In developing World ICT is driving a wave of innovation, teaching hard-to-reach groups. In SA for instance, Nokia has partnered with the Mxit platform to give grade ten learners access to 10 500 mathematics exercises via their handset. In Ghana, instructions are being sent via mobile phones to communities on how to maintain solar-powered water purification units. Mobile handsets of which the continent has one for every three people – come in handy as a solution. It removes activities such as bribery; collecting money for marks, strikes or civil unrest. Online courses run by foreign universities also mitigating the brain drain of top-level students leaving Africa. ICT offers flexibility that allows you to combine work and study. In Senegal, government spends 40% of its budget on education and still 5 000 students cannot enroll at University because of lack of space every year. E-Learning can increase the number of people in education. The summit further deliberated on how ICT can compliment decentralization process in particular enhancing service delivery. A presentation from the Directorate of Decentralization Coordination outlined intention of decentralization and the plan of action to realize the ultimate objectives. The local and regional Councils will assume greater responsibility and autonomy in providing basic services to the people and thereby bringing governance closer to the people. In creating greater harmony of efforts, the Summit looked at ways of harmonizing efforts to ensure less duplication of efforts and optimal resource allocation. The summit looked at India’s rich experience in rolling out ICT tools to rural communities. The presentation by Kaggare Suresh representing the Indian High Commission inspired the participants as they enviously heard of a success story in ICT deployment in rural areas. The amount of people ICT tools in India is exceptionally high which might attest to the level of integration of ICT in nation of 1.1 billion citizens. There are;
Cecil Kavaka MoE Namibia 0812236941 Nicoline Katjinaani MoE Namibia 0814110051 Ehrling Kambato MoE Namibia 0812298063 Kavenandi Mbuende Ongendo Dev Trust Namibia 0813934587 Assaria Tjingaete Ongendo Dev Trust Namibia 0813410680 Josaphat Ndjavera Ongendo Dev Trust Namibia 0813991110 Bertsha Utaa Ongendo Namibia 0813991151 Augustinius Kazongari Ongendo Namibia Lesley Katjivikua MoE Namibia 0814546387 Josephine Tjozongoro MoE Namibia Tjizembua Tjituka MoE Namibia 0813865618 Jesaja Kutaa MoE Namibia 0812272567 Benson Kandirikirira MoE Namibia 0812126682 Frieda Rukoro MoYNSSC Namibia 0814229642 Kaendo K MoYNSSC Namibia Maingo MoYNSSC Namibia 0813414180 Salome Kuhanga NUDO youth Namibia 0813903480 Mbekasorua Kauzera NUDO youth Namibia 0814252394 Edward Kangootui NUDO Youth Namibia 0812100121 Drucilla Tjatjitua Ounongo Namibia 0812117512 Josephine Kapenaina Ounongo Namibia 0812110328 M.J. Heyns MRLGHRD Namibia 0811499740 Sylvia Kazondona Kasojetua Namibia 0813335375 Karimbue E. Charlden Kunene Youth Forum Namibia 0812308794 Tobias Kennedy Oshikoto RYF Namibia 0813357201 Mateus Thomas Erongo RYF Namibia 0812946275 Adolene Swartz youth forum Namibia 0814202907 NT Kuhanga Omaheke Nudo Namibia 0813132478 Cynthia Kahiha Omaheke Namibia 0814188741 Imelda Kahiha Omaheke Namibia 0813480030 Trymos Mutsvanga Zimbabwe Field Camp 0814201722 Shepherd Muchanga Zimbabwe Field Camp Regina Brunzil Khomas Namibia 0813411777