International Conference
"Partnership Networks as Tools to Enhance Information Society Development and Knowledge Economy"

Moscow, 9 December 2002

The Conference is a part of the Global Knowledge Russia initiative aimed at involving Russian Federation with its incomparable scientific, educational, cultural and innovative resources and potential in the activity of international knowledge and experience sharing networks, such as the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP), United Nations Information and Communication Technology Task Force (UN ICT TF), Development Gateway etc.

The present conference is organized within the activities of the Russian e-Development Partnership (PRIOR) and UN ICT TF Europe and Central Asia Regional Network (UN ICT TF EuCAS) in the context of the elaboration of the National Strategy "Russia in the Information Age" and the preparation for the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS).

The Conference is organized by the Institute of the Information Society in coordination with the GKP Secretariat and in cooperation with the Ministry of RF for Communications and Informatization, World Bank, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and Global Internet Policy Initiative with support by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Global Knowledge Partnership (Official Sponsor) and other Russian and foreign organizations.

GKP is a "network of networks" with a diverse membership base comprising public, private and not-for-profit organizations from both developed and developing countries. The Partnership was born as a result of the 1997 Global Knowledge Conference in Canada, hosted by the World Bank and the Government of Canada. At present there are 45 members and 48 pending members.

The first Global Knowledge Russia event - Preconference Round Table of 31 March 2001 was organized by the Global Knowledge Partnership, The British Council in Russia, World Bank Institute Moscow Office and the Institute of the Information Society.

The Conference aims at promoting development and realization of a national e-Strategy and Program to facilitate the country's transition to an Information Society and its full-fledged participation in the global Knowledge Economy taking into account specificity of Russia, Europe and Central Asia region and international experience.