[Paris, France – 24 October 2011] – Two Internet Society Fellows will this week join an exclusive line up of speakers at the 2011 OECD Technology Foresight Forum, being held in Paris on 26 October.
Atanu Garai of India and Niel Harper of Barbados emerged from a strong field of qualified candidates to receive this year’s Fellowships to the OECD Technology Foresight Forum, one of the components of the Internet Society’s Next Generation Leaders (NGL) programme.
The theme of the 2011 Forum is “Developments in Mobile Communication.” Thanks to excellent support from the OECD Secretariat, the Fellows will take to the stage with high level representatives from major corporations and national regulators to present on important developments in their own specialities.
Mr. Garai will address the key contributions that mobile applications are able to make in improving health care and outcomes in India; while Mr. Harper will present the innovative services he is helping to develop to drive mobile commerce and banking in the Caribbean.
“The OECD is excited to be a part of the Internet Society’s Next Generation Leaders programme,” said Rudolf van der Berg, Economist and Policy Analyst at the OECD.
“We are impressed by the calibre of Fellows selected to attend the Technology Foresight Forum and welcome the perspectives they bring,” said Mr. van der Berg.
The OECD Technology Foresight Forum is an annual event organized by the OECD’s Committee for Information, Computer, and Communications Policy (ICCP) to help identify how technical developments create opportunities for, and pose challenges to the Internet Economy.
“Through this fellowship, the OECD is a key partner in the Internet Society’s efforts to create meaningful opportunities to advance the careers of the next generation of Internet leaders,” said Toral Cowieson, Senior Director of Internet Leadership Programmes.
The Internet Society’s Next Generation Leaders programme blends coursework, practical experience and mentorship to help prepare young professionals from around the world to become the next generation of Internet technology, policy, and business leaders.
The NGL programme is sponsored by Nominet Trust, the Association Francaise pour le Nommage Internet en Cooperation (AFNIC), and SIDN; and supported by the European Commission for Information Society and Media.
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