Mobile e-community ambassador to promote use of IT

June 26, 1999

A mobile education centre, equipped with computer and IT facilities for use by members of the public, will travel around the territory to promote the wider use of information technology in the community.

The centre, dubbed the "e-community ambassador", is a mobile demonstration and exhibition facility converted from a 40-foot container vehicle.

The launching of the "e-community ambassador" project, to be held on 27 June 1999, is part of a series of community-oriented activities of the Cyber Week '99, held between June 24 and 30, with the aim to enhance public understanding of the potentials and capabilities of information technology.

The "e-community ambassador", installed with 21 sets of computers for use by members of the public, will visit various housing estates, complexes and other popular public locations throughout the territory. This facility will also participate in IT-related events to promote the wider use of IT in the community.

Government IT initiatives, such as the Interactive Government Services Directory (IGSD), the Electronic Service Delivery scheme (ESD) and the establishment of a local public key infrastructure, will be demonstrated on the "e-community ambassador".

A spokesman for the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau said that the project supports the Government's initiative to raise the awareness and confidence of the general public in the use of IT in all spheres of their daily lives.

"The e-community ambassador provides the public with the opportunity to gain access to IGSD so that they can take advantage of the new scheme to obtain public information and services over the Internet in an interactive manner." he said.

"It also enables the public to familiarise themselves with the ESD scheme which is an innovative way for the delivery of public services to the community through the Internet and other electronic means.

"We hope that this facility will demonstrate to the public the benefits brought about by advances in information technology, thereby encouraging them to become an active participant of the new Information Society," the spokesman added.

The "e-community ambassador" project is jointly launched by the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau and the Pegasus Social Service Christian Organisation, with sponsorship from a number of computer vendors.

The project will be officially launched at a ceremony to be held at the piazza outside the Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui, at 3 pm tomorrow (Sunday).

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