2: (PSD-02) Foster private sector growth through ICT ICT is an enabler of increased productivity and cost reduction. Therefore, leveraging ICTs will greatly empower all key economic sectors i.e. infrastructure, mining, trade and manufacturing, agriculture, energy, tourism, financial services thereby increasing their competitiveness. 3: (PSD-03) Increase ICT sector contribution to GDP ICT has been identified as a key contributor to Vision 2020 yet its economic contribution to GDP is not currently quantified. Therefore, it is important for ICT GDP contributions to be measured and enumerated to determine impact on economic growth and returns on ICT investments. 2.2.3. Community Development [CD] Community development is critical to achieving socio-economic development goals. Though broad in scope, in this plan CD is a community-centric approach to the deployment of ICT thereby strengthening and developing communities. Specific focus on CD is imperative to fostering and increasing citizen participation in the country’s development. This focus area contributes to the realization of MDGs including poverty alleviation, health, and education. Furthermore it contributes to the achievement of EDPRS goals of building economic infrastructure and improving health status. The scope of community development is three fold. First is to increase ICT access, awareness and usage within communities. Second is to improve citizens’ access to information thereby increasing their participation through ICT. Third is to facilitate the provision of basic services (education and health) to communities using ICT. Mission: “To empower and transform communities through improved access to information and services” Objectives 1: (CD-01) Promote ICT awareness in communities A systematic approach to promoting ICT awareness and its benefits is of paramount importance. This will undoubtedly increase utilization, adoption, and ownership of deployed ICTs. Therefore, increased ICT awareness campaigns countrywide, such as the November 2010 National ICT week, newspaper articles, ICT competitions/awards and media campaigns will be necessary. 2: (CD-02) Establish and institutionalize ICT-enhanced systems to increase citizen participation and improve access to services and information Citizen participation is at the core of economic development and good governance. ICTs can greatly enhance extensive participation by providing affordable and efficient ways to extend services and information to communities. This will also greatly improve local government transparency and accountability. Page 23 of 85   © No part of this document can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise - without the permission of Rwanda Ministry in charge of ICT in the Office of the President.