U.N. Backs $100 Laptop For World's Kids

Iria · Jan 27, 2006, 07:44 AM

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - The United Nations has thrown its weight behind a project to place a $100, hand-cranked laptop computer in the hands of millions of schoolchildren around the globe.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will sign a partnership agreement with the head of the project, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Nicholas Negroponte, in the Alpine ski resort of Davos on Saturday, officials said.

Davos is hosting the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, a gathering of top politicians, economists and business executives.

The aim is to provide the lime-green machines free of charge to children in poor countries who cannot afford computers of their own.

Under the agreement, UNDP and the non-profit One Laptop per Child organization set up by MIT Media Lab chairman Negroponte, will work together with local and international partners to get the machines to targeted schools in least developed countries.

The goal is for governments or charitable donors to pay for the laptops, although children will own them.
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Read More / Source: Yahoo! News

Jan 27, 2006, 07:44 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	U.N. Backs $100 Laptop For World's Kids DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - The United Nations has thrown its weight behind a project to place a $100, hand-cranked laptop computer in the hands of millions of schoolchildren around the globe. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will sign a partnership agreement with the head of the project, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Nicholas Negroponte, in the Alpine ski resort of Davos on Saturday, officials said. Davos is hosting the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, a gathering of top politicians, economists and business executives. The aim is to provide the lime-green machines free of charge to children in poor countries who cannot afford computers of their own. Under the agreement, UNDP and the non-profit One Laptop per Child organization set up by MIT Media Lab chairman Negroponte, will work together with local and international partners to get the machines to targeted schools in least developed countries. The goal is for governments or charitable donors to pay for the laptops, although children will own them. ___________ Read More / Source: Yahoo! News