| Shilpa Sayura Selected Among Nine Global Finalists for the Stockholm Challenge – GKP Awards 2007 Kuala Lumpur, 31 October 2007 The Shilpa Sayura Project has been selected as one of only nine global finalists for the Stockholm Challenge – GKP Awards 2007, an international recognition celebrating outstanding multi-stakeholder partnerships that use Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for development. A total of 119 projects from around the world were nominated for the awards. Following an international jury evaluation, only nine projects were shortlisted across four ICT for Development (ICT4D) categories. The winners were scheduled to be announced during the Third Global Knowledge Conference (GK3), held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 11–13 December 2007. All finalists were also sponsored by the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) to participate in Stockholm Challenge Week 2008. The Stockholm Challenge – GKP Awards is a joint initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) and the Stockholm Challenge, recognising innovative ICT projects that improve lives, reduce poverty and empower communities through knowledge and technology. Education Category Finalists Shilpa Sayura Project – Digital self-learning for remote rural students lacking educational resources and teachers. TOPIC64 – National network of e-learning centres in 64 provinces of Vietnam. Information Dissemination and Equal Access (IDEA) Project The remaining finalists represented the fields of Culture, Economic Development, and Public Administration. The organisers noted that the awards reflect the shared commitment of GKP and the Stockholm Challenge to harness the power of ICT and knowledge for sustainable development and to promote innovative solutions with global social impact. Source Nine Finalists Selected for Stockholm Challenge – GKP Awards 2007 Kuala Lumpur, 31 October 2007 A total of 119 projects were nominated for the Stockholm Challenge – GKP Awards 2007, and nine were selected by the international jury as outstanding examples of the role of multi-stakeholder partnerships in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Development. The winners were announced during GK3 – the Third Global Knowledge Conference, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 11–13 December 2007. All finalists were also sponsored by the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) to participate in Stockholm Challenge Week in May 2008. The Stockholm Challenge – GKP Awards 2007 is an international ICT award jointly promoted by the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) and the Stockholm Challenge. The nine finalists were selected across four ICT4D categories. Culture Network of Public Libraries – Medellín Metropolitan Area Viva Favela Economic Development Enabling Financial Inclusion and Increasing Efficiency of Self Help Groups Microcredit Federations KhmerOS – Khmer Software Initiative Education Shilpa Sayura Project – Digital Self Learning for remote rural students lacking educational resources and teachers TOPIC64 – National Network of E-learning Centres in 64 Provinces of Vietnam Information Dissemination and Equal Access (IDEA) Project Public Administration The etuktuk Project Rashtra Grameena Abhivruddi Samacharam – An ICT Tool for Poor People Details of these projects, together with the other nominated projects, were made available at: http://gkp.stockholmchallenge.se The Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) and the Stockholm Challenge share the objective of harnessing and promoting the potential of ICT to improve lives, reduce poverty and empower people. Both organisations are recognised internationally for advancing knowledge and ICT for development. Their joint awards reflect the complementary strengths of the two organisations and aim to increase the global impact of ICT4D and Knowledge for Development (K4D). For further information: Ulla Skidén – Project Manager Rinalia Abdul Rahim – Executive Director |