In President Barack Obama's inauguration speech, there is a call for action, for people who are risk-takers and doers to push forward and work to improve the world and the current economic situation. Obama understands the value of science, technology and ICT - the Internet and Web 2.0 tools were key in his election campaign.
In the announcement of his presidential campaign he said:
"Let us be the generation that reshapes our
economy to compete in the digital age. Let's set high standards for our
schools and give them the resources they need to succeed. Let's recruit
a new army of teachers, and give them better pay and more support in
exchange for more accountability. Let's make college more affordable,
and let's invest in scientific research, and let's lay down broadband
lines through the heart of inner cities and rural towns all across
America."
[Presidential Announcement Speech in Springfield, IL 02/10/07]
There is no doubt that ICT is required for innovation, and can be an equaliser for access to education, health and legal services, and to government. For Western Australia there is
no risk in investing in the ICT industry - but there is danger in
missing opportunities that can come from a strong, valued and
supported ICT industry. We can improve education, we can provide better
information and services to regional Western Australia, we can fuel
innovation across all industries in WA, and we can provide interesting,
challenging jobs to inspire coming generations.
The Inquiry into the Western Australian Government's role in developing and promoting the local ICT industry included 34
recommendations from a non-partisan committee, clearly stating what is
required to move the industry, and our State, forward. As we wait for
action on the Inquiry recommendations, perhaps a look at Obama's
policies and statements will help to give confidence that the panel got
it right and that it is time to move forward.
Valerie Maxville
From the Obama inauguration speech:
"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that
greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never
been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path
for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek
only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the
risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more
often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the
long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom."
"For everywhere we look, there is work to be
done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we
will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for
growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and
digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will
restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders
to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness
the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our
factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and
universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And
all this we will do."
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Inauguration/story?id=6689022&page=1
The key points of Obama's comprehensive technology and innovation plan are to:
- Ensure the full and free exchange of information among Americans through an open Internet and diverse media outlets.
- Create a transparent and connected democracy.
- Encourage the deployment of a modern communications infrastructure.
- Employ technology and innovation to solve our nation's most pressing problems, including reducing the costs of health care, encouraging the development of new clean energy sources, and improving public safety.
- Improve Americas competitiveness.
The complete election policy is available at http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology/ .
For more on the WA Inquiry, read the related blog at : WA Election - Issues for the ICT Industry
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