The Digital Opportunity Initiative (GDOI)
Date Initiated: November 2000

The Global Digital Opportunity Initiative (GDOI) was a global public-private partnership between the United Nations Development Programme, the Markle Foundation and a broad set of private and public sector experts and organizations committed to increasing the impact of information and communications technologies to achieve development goals. The GDOI was based on the comprehensive framework, "Creating a Development Dynamic," developed by UNDP, the Markle Foundation and Accenture for the G-8 leaders at the 2001 Genoa Summit. GDOI assisted in the development, prioritization and implementation of national ICT for development strategies that have the highest likelihood of generating broader development impacts leading to greater national growth and capacity.

The Global Digital Opportunity Initiative focused on Mozambique and South Africa, selected for their range of geographic, cultural and economic circumstances, as well as on the basis of the initiative's potential impact, sustainability and demonstration value. Mozambique and South Africa were actively involved with the G-8 Digital Opportunity Task (DOT) Force and the UN ICT Task Force, respectively. Both governments have embraced the objective of a comprehensive ICT for Development strategy and the principle of wide consultation in its formulation and implementation. The GDOI supported the enhancement and implementation of those strategies by enlisting the support of additional experts and institutions and attracting resources to execute particular priorities.

In addition to supporting the achievement of each country's development targets, as reflected in the UN Millennium Declaration and related International Development Goals, the GDOI worked to extend the impact of its efforts by creating demonstration models and analytical tools that can inform the efforts of countries beyond those directly involved.

The Global Digital Opportunity Initiative was supported by multi-million dollar commitments from the UNDP and Markle Foundation and the collaboration of dedicated individuals and organizations representing a range of expertise and resources. It included a Steering Committee comprised of senior officials and experts from both the development and ICT communities and an International Partners Group consisting of commercial and non-profit institutions with expertise and interest in both ICT and development matters. The Steering Committee assisted in strategy development and prioritization, while the Partners provided expertise, funds or in-kind resources. GDOI staff developed and managed these relationships into a network of experts prepared to contribute expertise, innovative solutions and best practices.