Benin

Building Government Capacity and Aiding Schools
UN National and International Volunteers (NUNVs and IUNVs) have undertaken a number of activities in Benin to help build a network for information and coordination, increase the capacities of government staff to operate and manage the system, and support the integration of IT in primary and secondary school curricula.

NUNVs and IUNVs helped the Government of Benin to build up a national information network. These Volunteers developed a mechanism of information coordination through interlinking nine hubs from different sectoral activities called 'Groupes Homogènes' (GH) that play the role of e-information focal points in their respective sectors.

Two IUNVs worked with NGOs and Development Associations and the Ministry of Governmental Cooperation and Action, Planification, Development and Employment Promotion. Four NUNVs volunteered in the sectors of Environment and Rural Development, NGOs and Development Assocations, Media, Culture, Arts and Tourism and Health and Social Development.

The UN Volunteers strengthened the capacities of GH staffs to operate a computer and manage the information system. They helped them create web pages and set up computer networks in offices and configure servers. As a result, the government departments now communicate by e-mail, information exchange has increased and the public can find fast answers to questions.

From October 2001 to September 2002, two NUNVs were assigned to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education within the Sustainable Development Networking Program (SDNP), and supported the integration of IT in primary and secondary school curricula. The Volunteers, who were funded by the Japanese Trust Fund, established Internet connections for schools, conducted teacher training in each school and set up youth Internet groups.