Lebanon

Information Technology Centers in Southern Lebanon

A joint action between UNDP and Private Sector Organizations

Introductory Note

Based in Tyr, the Socio-Economic Rehabilitation Programme for Southern Lebanon is a joint UNDP-Lebanese Government venture. Initiated after the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, the programme addresses the communities of the liberated areas, and the adjacent villages. The Programme aims at stabilizing the population and encouraging those who left the area to return.

Small-scale socio-economic community projects are initiated following a training process. Partners include cooperatives, municipalities, youth clubs, and community based organizations. The programme primarily aims at the development of human resources for sustainable post-conflict recovery.

Youth constitute a vital sector in addressing the development of the region, as well as for re-creating conditions conducive to the return of the population to southern Lebanon. In this context, the programme works with youth groups to mobilize them into forming community-based nuclei in the form of youth clubs. To date the programme has initiated 18 clubs, and is in the process of establishing 14 more soon.

Forging a partnership between the programme and private sector organizations can effectively improve the life conditions of the communities, and consequently the socio-economic conditions in the area. An entry point in this partnership is assistance to youth.

Although Lebanon has a proven record in the spread of computer technology, the southern region, as a result of more than two decades of isolation, has not been highly developed in that respect. Establishment of community youth "internet cafés" can thus be considered a point of attraction for partnership between the programme, youth groups, and private sector organizations, and can improve access to information technology in remote regions.

Such a joint venture will result in a high social impact, both for communities and youth groups, and will provide visibility to private sector institutions who will be providing a means for networking to fight disparities, and contribute to the development of the country as a whole.

Why would a Private Sector Company/Institution be interested in such a project?

1. The Corporate Social Responsibility Dimension

Social responsibility at the core of the business activities of any corporation is today a priority in many multinational and foreign companies.

Private sector responsibility towards the community development is playing an ever-increasing role in a world where the extent of globalization reach has led to a decrease in the direct role and intervention of governments in the economy.

Moreover, the case for a private sector social participation in Lebanon is stronger, given the current state of the government resources as well as its priorities and procedures.

In addition IT awareness and learning as well as computer and internet accessibility is more and more of a necessity, rather than an option, in any business' activity

2. The Business Dimension

a. Marketing and Potential Returns

Participating in the implementation of these access centers will promote the name of the company in areas and regions that are usually far to reach. It will give the company the opportunity to forge a market niche in areas that are geographically far but also that are still untapped by other companies. These areas constitute a practically virgin market where opportunities for market share are easier to get.

The success of such a project will be of primary importance for the contributing company since it will be the reference whenever these centers are mentioned. Moreover, reaching the objectives of these centers, which is greater awareness, and learning of computer skills will encourage the personal use of such systems. Subsequently, the partnering company will automatically be at the top of the list when purchasing any new system or equipment.

Thus the success of these centers is in close correlation with marketing and sales returns of the company.

b. Image Management

This is a growing concern for companies in today increasing competitive markets where quality and other attributes, like advertising, are becoming basic requirements rather than competitive advantages for a company's survival and sustainability in the market.

Thus, to have an edge, the company needs to impose and position itself in its community and environment. It has to be associated with a common concern and appear to share the daily life of people as well as their concerns. Reaching the intuitive side of people is always difficult but also substantially rewarding since it gives the company a proximity to its customers never reached before.

It also initiates a new relationship dimension between the company and its customers but also the community. It allows it to get into the mind, heart and life of people. More than a simple provider of services and goods, the company will become an ally and a friend.

Community activities and assuming one's corporate social responsibility is the most effective way for a company to forge its reputation but also reach the message and image it has strategically decided to be associated with. Rather than promoting one product, the company will be enhancing its own name.

c. National and International Visibility

Partnerships with UNDP are characterized by the national and international visibility that the UN system enjoys. UNDP activities and projects in the country are constantly in review and present on the public scene. They are the subject of international as well as local discussions and events. Whenever the centers and more broadly the development of the south are mentioned the partnership formed around them will be a focus point.

The inauguration of these centers will be an important event in the media; it will attract the attention of the public, newspapers, TVs, magazines etc. The unique partnership between UNDP and a private company for the development of the south will be a highlight of this news.

Moreover, since these computer centers will be the only ones of their kind in these areas, they will be the center of attraction of people seeking computer access but also for the organization of any workshop, seminar in the region.

It Can be Done Successfully

A technology access center in Bint Jbeil was opened in March 2001. The center is an excellent example of a joint initiative involving the Government (CDR and the Ministry of Social Affairs), UNDP and the private sector (Cisco Systems Management).

The center offers a platform for electronic information and learning, providing affordable public access to information services, specifically targeted to youth of the region. The center serves both as a training center for the youth on information technology, ad more importantly as a "cyber café" where youth can meet and connect with the outside world.

The Ministry of Social Affairs houses the center through its Community development Centers and provides all needed operational fees, including fees for the instructors and staff, thus ensuring the sustainability of this intervention, whereas CISCO has provided the computers and the internet link.

Since March 2001, the center has provided computer skills to more than 200 people of different ages of the area. Cisco Systems earned visibility from the project.

The Proposed Initiative

The programme plans to replicate its successful initiative, and establish six new Information Technology Centers in the liberated regions of southern Lebanon. The new centers will be based at the Community Development Centers of the Ministry of Social Affairs where new youth clubs have been established in Ayta El Chaab, Meis El Jabal, Marjeoun, Khiam, Hasbaya, and Shebaa.

In addition to the students and the residents in the villages, the centers will also provide services to residents in neighboring villages pending the implementation of their respective centers. Among these are: Rmeish, Ain Ebel, Blida, Houla, Qlaiaa, Dibbeen, Blat, Ebel El saki, Ain Qinya, Shwaya, Kawkaba, Mimes, El Kfeir, and others.

The new six centers will provide training and internet connectivity through personal computers, printers, and software libraries, to the local community. This will enable the community to have better access to information worldwide leading to a better participation in, and quality of community development. The centers will provide training to the community on computer literacy, and other tailor made courses. Those would target students, youth in general, as well as other professional groups such as municipalities and cooperatives.

The sustainability of these centers is insured through the regular budget allocation of the Community Development Centers. The fees collected from trainees will cover the fees of trainers, whereas the operational costs of the centers will be provided by the CDCs.

Highlight: Centers that have already been implemented