Singapore gears up to dot-com the people sector with the launch of eCelebrations Singapore on 1 March 2000. Comprising a 5-week calendar of 26 ICT-related events and a content-driven public education programme, this initiative is set to demystify information and communication technology...
Singapore, 18 Feburary 2000 | For Immediate ReleaseSingapore gears up to dot-com the people sector with the launch of eCelebrations Singapore on 1 March 2000. Comprising a 5-week calendar of 26 ICT-related events and a content-driven public education programme, this initiative is set to demystify information and communication technology (ICT) and get citizens connected.
eCelebrations Singapore is the brainchild of the Steering Committee on ICT Culture Promotion. Chaired by Ms Yong Ying-I, Chief Executive Officer of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), the Committee conceptualised eCelebrations Singapore as a key strategy of a new 3-year ICT culture outreach initiative. This initiative is one of the 3 main thrusts of the visionary ICT21 masterplan that aims to raise awareness on how ICT benefits lifestyle and prepares Singaporeans for the technological challenges ahead.
This outreach programme will target all 3 sectors - the people, private and public with focus on the people sector in its inaugural year. The ultimate goal is to facilitate Singapore's transition into an information society where its people are ICT literate and savvy and appreciate the benefits of a connected e-lifestyle.
Orchestrated by IDA, eCelebrations Singapore has instituted a multi-party collaboration with industry players, institutions of higher learning, community groups, associations, and the media. The portfolio of events over 5 weeks is organised and owned by representation from these strategic partners. Each event is planned and organised by an agency to target a particular population segment.
A total of 26 events are organised under the branding of eCelebrations Singapore. Seventeen events are targeted at the people sector and nine at the trade/business. This year's programme targets the early adopters primarily. However, opportunities are created to accelerate ICT literacy amongst the uninitiated to narrow the digital divide.
To kick off eCelebrations Singapore, a logo with the tagline "Got to be Connected" will be launched on 1 March 2000. The logo, a symbol of concerted efforts to promote an ICT-pervasive and savvy lifestyle, is intended for adoption by any organisation that fulfils a common objective to help promote an ICT culture.
"A partnership led by the industry and community is the winning approach to create the buzz and propagation of an ICT lifestyle. Our partners have expressed enthusiastic support of eCelebrations Singapore and we hope to expand the scope and increase the number of partners who align with our objectives, " said IDA's Chief Executive Officer, Ms Yong Ying-I.
eFestival Asia, eCelebrations Singapore's anchor event, will open on 1 March 2000. Slated as the Mardi Gras of multimedia, this is a dazzling seven-day showcase of the best in multimedia and will have something for everyone. The exhibition is built on four themes: learn, play, create and connect.
"We want to bring out the benefits of being connected. There is an urgency for us to motivate the uninitiated to be net savvy, stay connected and be relevant in the new economy," said Mrs Pam Soh, Deputy Director of IDA Culture Promotion Programme. "It's an alternative lifestyle that we are promoting," she added.
For details of each programme, please refer to the tables of events annexed.
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
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| Calender of public events (66.50KB) |
| Calender of trade events (42.00KB) |
Notes to Editor:
On the logo:
Impressions of the acronym is depicted in primary colours of red (I), blue (C) and green (T). The icon illustrates a human form gearing up to take the plunge to embrace the technology. The 3 colours represents how ICT can empower the individual and enable work, learn and play.
The tagline, "Got to be Connected", is conceptualised to persuade everyone to reap the benefits of ICT to enjoy a lifestyle of learning, entertainment and commerce. This tagline also conveys urgency as we move into a new economy.
Connectivity is the key element in an information society with people connecting people, business connecting buyers and government connecting citizens.
For clarifications, please contact:
Mr Hal Serudin
Fleishman-Hillard
Telephone: 6339 1066x 46
Email: serudin@fleishman.com.sg
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