Initiatives to refurbish PCs can narrow digital divide, experts say at UNESCO
28-10-2005 (Paris)
In a bid to contribute to universal access to information, experts discussed at UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters last week how developing countries could benefit from the European Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
The over 40 participants from the European Commission, the Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GeSCI), the French Agence gouvernementale de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Énergie (ADEME), NGOs and the private sector discussed how the the European regulatory framework and its application through national legislation could benefit computer recycling programmes for developing countries and reviewed logistical and economic models for recycling and refurbishing PCs.
They said that stakeholders involved into PC distribution in developing countries must join forces to leverage each other’s impact and to fully benefit from the European Directive in order to better respond to increasing needs for IT equipment in the South.
The European Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment of 27 January 2003 (2003/108/ec) stresses that priority shall be given to PC reemployment. The proper refurbishment of a small part of used PCs in Europe could significantly contribute to satisfy needs of schools, community centres and associations indeveloping countries. In 2003, 53 millions PCs were sold on the European market and it is estimated that 500 millions of them would not be used anymore in 2007.
The brainstorming meeting on 24 October 2005 was organized by EcoMicro, a France-based initiative dealing with PC recycling and refurbishing for social inclusion and support to developing countries, in cooperation with UNESCO.
They said that stakeholders involved into PC distribution in developing countries must join forces to leverage each other’s impact and to fully benefit from the European Directive in order to better respond to increasing needs for IT equipment in the South.
The European Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment of 27 January 2003 (2003/108/ec) stresses that priority shall be given to PC reemployment. The proper refurbishment of a small part of used PCs in Europe could significantly contribute to satisfy needs of schools, community centres and associations indeveloping countries. In 2003, 53 millions PCs were sold on the European market and it is estimated that 500 millions of them would not be used anymore in 2007.
The brainstorming meeting on 24 October 2005 was organized by EcoMicro, a France-based initiative dealing with PC recycling and refurbishing for social inclusion and support to developing countries, in cooperation with UNESCO.
Related themes/countries
· Access to Information: News Archives 2005
· PC Refurbishment: News Archives 2005
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