Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) offer various opportunities for persons unable to or unwilling to participate in conventional employment. LIRNEasia in association with World Bank Group organized the Launch of World Development report 2016 and related LIRNEasia Research. The objective was to inform and realize digital dividends for Sri Lanka’s youth through inclusive livelihood.
The launch event was commenced by World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka & Maldives, Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough framing the World Development Report for 2016 entitled digital dividend.
World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka & Maldives Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough
World Bank entitled Digital Dividends describes the opportunities created by ICTs and discusses the need for complementary (or “analog”) actions by government and other actors to realize the full benefits of ICTs. World Bank Senior Regulatory Specialist, Rajendra Singh presented the key insights from WDR report, on Digital technologies role in transforming businesses, Governments and people’s lives globally and locally.
World Bank Senior Regulatory Specialist Rajendra Singh
Presentation slides can be found here.
The WDR findings will be complemented with findings from LIRNEasia’s research in Sri Lanka on online freelancing and Systematic Reviews of research on the impacts of ICTs in rural and urban areas, in the form of improved livelihoods and employment opportunities.
LIRNEasia’s Senior Researcher, Suthaharan Perampalam presenting the findings of Online Freelancing: An emerging new employment opportunity, based on a nationally representative survey. LIRNEasia estimates, there could be 17,000 to 22,000 freelancers in Sri Lanka registered within multiple platforms and selling their skills all around the world. Freelancers’ collective earns revenue of USD$ 18.7 million for the country by selling their services internationally.
Presentation slides can be found here.
Professor Rohan Samarajiva and Vigneswara Ilavarasan shared the findings from LIRNEasia Systematic Reviews on impacts of ICTs on rural and urban livelihoods and employment.
Professor Rohan Samarajiva and Vigneswara Ilavarasan
Systematic Review: ICTs and Growth of MSME’s Presentation slides can be found here.
Systematic Review: Mobile phones and Economic impact in rural areas :Presentation slides can be found here
The event was concluded with a Panel discussion with representatives from the Government of Sri Lanka and Chambers of Commerce & Industry. Mr. Wasantha Deshapriya (Secretary – Ministry of Telecom and Digital Infrastructure), Dr.Sankalpa Gamwarige (SLASSCOM), Dr. Jagath Alwis (Ceylinco Insurance) and Mr. Rajendra Singh (World Bank Senior Regulatory Specialist) took part in the panel discussion on challenges in achieving Digital Dividends in Sri Lanka.
Panel discussion was moderated by Tahani Iqbal, Specialist, Regulatory Strategy and Development, Axiata Group Berhad.
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Rohan Samarajiva
What the government newspaper reported: http://dailynews.lk/2016/12/07/business/101294