Key role players in South Africa's communications industry will gather in Midrand this week for the Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Information Society and Development hosted by Communications Minister Roy Padayachie.

The forum is a national level follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), which took place in Geneva in 2003 and Tunis in 2005. South Africa, through the Department of Communications, was a key participant in the event.

Thursday's forum will serve as a platform for stakeholders to discuss strategies, showcase achievements and debate ideas while sharing expert knowledge and solutions – all of which is aimed at accelerating the building of a people-centred, development oriented, inclusive information society.

The two-day event will also deliberate on the important issue of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector's contribution to rural development and job creation.

The minister is expected to outline the elements of the ICT Rural Development Strategic Framework and present tasks for stakeholders to work together to create jobs in line with the targets of the New Growth Path.

Those participating in the forum will include industry executives, government policy makers, academic experts, representatives from state owned enterprises, non-governmental organisations, labour and international guests.

The theme for the 2011 Forum, which takes place at Gallagher Estate Convention Centre, is 'ICTs for Rural Development and Job creation'.

– BuaNews