WITFOR 2007 Symposium: “Join Hands to Make WITFOR 2007 a Reality!”

A symposium to organize fund-raising events for WITFOR 2007 was held at the Sheraton Addis Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 14 March 2007.

Reported by:  Kibrework Lemma

A symposium to organize fund-raising events for WITFOR 2007 was held at the Sheraton Addis Hotel, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 14 March 2007.  Speaking at the symposium, State Minister of Capacity Building, Mr. Fikru Desalegn, said Ethiopia was getting prepared to host WITFOR 2007 with its global agenda of ICT for Development and Prosperity from August 22-24 2007.

According to the State Minister, WITFOR 2007 has a significant importance in the ongoing efforts in Ethiopia to utilize ICT for rapid economic development in the country. He called on all stakeholders to play their roles in further consolidating the promising efforts in ICT and make WITFOR 2007 a reality.

The Director General of the Ethiopian Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (EICTDA), Mr. Debretsion Gebremichael on his part stated that his agency had started the preparation to host the great event WITFOR2007 in collaboration with other stakeholders.  He indicated that his Agency had begun facilitating the necessary accommodations and reservations for the participants of the Forum.

According to the Director General, the symposium was aimed at facilitating conditions to raise funds for the expenses needed to realize the upcoming WITFOR 2007 conference and to sensitize stakeholders on preparations underway.

Member of the International Steering Committee, Mr. Bogale Demissie, also made a presentation on WITFOR and its aim to the participants of the symposium. 

Ms. Kibrework Lemma, Head of the WITFOR 2007 Secretariat, said that 800,000 USD was needed to successfully organize the Forum.

Different organizations and companies started making pledges. The Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation pledged to contribute 500,000 Birr (equivalent to USD 56,000.00).

Senior government officials, Ambassadors, Diplomats, representatives of the private sector as well as famous personalities attended the half-day symposium.