BYE/96/003

Completed projects

The project aimed to strengthen national informational and communicational infrastructure in Belarus through the Internet services and resources for creating the open society and sustainable human development as well as strengthen democratic institutions, sustained economic development, sound governance, educational opportunities through full integration into Global Information Infrastructure.

Belarus's integration in the global community depends greatly on the development of modern information technologies, such as the Internet. The exponential development of the Internet has already been described as a digital revolution. But the increasing gap between Belarus and the leaders in this revolution may prevent it from reaping its benefits and put it on the wrong side of the digital divide. This project helped Belarus make better use of these opportunities and reduce the gap between other countries in Internet development. Emphasis was made on providing Internet access to non-profit organisations, including schools, universities, public associations, government institutions and libraries, as these organisations are in the best position to use Internet resources for educational development and expanding international cooperation in information exchange.

Since high costs remained the biggest barrier to Internet development in Belarus (Internet connectivity is one of the most expensive in the CIS and Eastern Europe), the project had invested a great deal of effort in creating infrastructure that made the Internet more affordable for non-profit users.

06/1997-06/2002

Minsk

1,231.125 USD

E-governance and access to information

Ministry of Education of Belarus

Project Manager: Igor Tavgen

 in English

The Internet project was implemented in 1997 with funding from the Open Society Institute. It put in place a nation-wide communication grid covering Minsk and regional capitals. The grid increased the speed of data transfer within Belarus and connected more than 300 non-commercial users, notably, public organisations, secondary schools, libraries and government institutions. The project also was helpful in disseminating information on Belarus to a larger number of Internet users. Over 40 Belarusian organisations designed and posted their web sites with the project's support. They can be accessed at http://www.unibel.by .

The second phase of the project was launched in July 2000. Its primary objective was to raise the quality of Internet access and increase the connectivity of Belarusian organisations and institutions, particularly those located in the provinces, where Internet access is minimal.

As a result of the second stage, at least 100 secondary schools, 50 libraries and 50 public organisations in Belarus were connected to the Internet. Accordingly, over 200 secondary and tertiary-level students were trained in web design. A distance education system was set up for the first time at a private university.