UPLIFT initiative to create digitally inclusive communities
Microsoft New Zealand , Wellington
25 Community-Based IT Skills Trainers are Honoured as National Champions in a Joint Initiative between Microsoft, Government and Community Organisations
For more information on this press release, please ring the New Zealand Press Office at 64 9 3575 844. The Minister's speech is on her web-page.
Press release: Wellington, New Zealand – Monday, 20 February, 2006
Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban today held up with pride the UPLIFT partnership between Microsoft, government and 25 champions from a range of community-based technology learning centres (CTLCs) as a fantastic example of the Government’s Digital Strategy in action
Luamanuvao Winnie Laban spoke at an event for participants and partners at Whitireia Community Polytechnic in Porirua, for the first participants of the New Zealand Unlimited Potential Learning Foundation’s (UPLIFT) inaugural course.
“UPLIFT epitomises the concept and spirit of the Government's Digital Strategy, with its focus on people, partnership and capacity building,” Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said.
The programme will build Information and Computer Technology (ICT) skills and capacity in community organisations and in communities. The week-long courses will train 125 community-based tutors across New Zealand over the next two years, who will then return to their community organisations and teach computer skills to others.
“UPLIFT has been designed to help increase computer literacy amongst New Zealand's disadvantaged communities and reduce the digital divide by helping better train ICT skills trainers,” Luamanuvao Winnie Laban said.
“Initiatives such as UPLIFT help to strengthen communities, which is important because a vibrant community sector is essential to a healthy civil society. Strong sustainable communities are an important building block for achieving positive social, economic and cultural outcomes for all New Zealanders.”
“UPLIFT is also a great example of collaboration between private businesses and government. Communities, government and private businesses all have a role to play in ensuring all New Zealanders have the capability and confidence to make the most of digital opportunities open to them,” said Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.
Ross Peat, Managing Director of Microsoft New Zealand, strongly believes the public-private sector partnership approach taken on this initiative has created a sustainable method of bridging the digital divide and will make a positive impact for years to come.
“We are proud to be a part of, and committed to, realising the potential of the Government’s Digital Strategy and the potential of all New Zealanders. UPLIFT is just one example of how communities can work with support to gain access to what the world today sees as essential life-skills – basic IT skills.
“Research shows that IT skills will help New Zealanders create social and economic opportunities that change people’s lives and transform communities,” says Peat, “Including overcoming barriers of economic disadvantage, isolation, confidence and literacy, so I challenge more companies to create partnerships with government and help transform our nation.”
Deirdre Dale, Chief Executive Officer of Whitireia Community Polytechnic, says she is proud that Whitireia Community Polytechnic was chosen to help create and deliver this course.
“Our previous experience in designing courses for the specific needs of communities was vital. The areas of our nation that traditionally risk being left behind include communities involving Maori or Pacific Island people, those from rural or remote areas or lesser advantaged urban areas, new New Zealanders and people with disabilities.
“In addition to taking the training outcomes back to their communities, we believe all UPLIFT trainer graduates will be great advocates for this initiative,” adds Dale.
The Minister's speech is on her web-page.
About Unlimited Potential Learning Foundation (UPLIFT)
In May 2005, Microsoft Corp. awarded the New Zealand government a grant of more than NZD $350,000 to help fund the establishment and first two years of the New Zealand Unlimited Potential Learning Foundation. Additionally, Microsoft New Zealand is donating more than NZD $2 million of software to help CTLCs deliver the Unlimited Potential Learning Curriculum to CTLC trainers. The Government has contributed to $100,000 in support towards the initiative.
About Unlimited Potential
Microsoft Unlimited Potential is a global programme that focuses on improving lifelong learning for underserved young people and adults by providing technology skills through community-based technology and learning centres. Microsoft believes that by providing the necessary training and tools, it will help create social and economic opportunities that can transform communities and enable people to realise their potential. More information can be found at www.microsoft.com/nz/unlimitedpotential
About the New Zealand Government’s Digital Strategy
The Digital Strategy was launched on 16 May 2005 and is about creating a digital future for all New Zealanders, using the power of information and communications technology (ICT) to enhance all aspects of our lives. More information can be found at www.digitalstrategy.co.nz
About Whitireia Community Polytechnic
Established in 1986, Whitireia Community Polytechnic is known for producing work-ready graduates in New Zealand and overseas and is a wholly owned entity of the Crown. The Polytechnic provides over 130 full-time and part-time programmes of study and also offers short courses of community interest. The programmes meet a wide range of educational and training needs with a focus on producing work-ready graduates.
Whitireia has a total of four campuses, with the main campus in Porirua, two additional satellite campuses situated in Kapiti and Wellington City and a recently established international campus situated in central Auckland.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
Microsoft, SharePoint, Groove, OneNote, FrontPage, Windows Server and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies in the and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
For more information, press only:
For Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban:
Catherine Field-Dodgson,
Private Secretary (Advisory and Media),
(04)470 6746, 021 227 6746,
Email: catherine.field-dodgson@parliament.govt.nz
Carol Leishman,
Communications Manager,
Microsoft New Zealand
Email: carolle@microsoft.com,
Ph: 09 357 5806 or 021 636 607
Aisha Ahmed,
Account Executive,
Text 100 New Zealand
Email: aisha.admed@text100.co.nz,
Microsoft Press Office line: 09 357 5844
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