The event was marked by the ceremonial banging of the gong and the symbolic turnover of the program from Canada to the Philippines. (L-R): Sec. Ray Chua of CICT, Senator Edgardo Angara, Dr. Akhtar Badshah of Microsoft and Dr. Rohinton Medhora of IDRC.

telecentre.org is finally in its new home. Yesterday, March 3, 2010, international and local dignitaries as well as stakeholders of the Philippine telecentre movement witnessed the launch and turnover of the telecentre.org program from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to the telecentre.org Foundation based in the Philippines.

Philippine Senator Edgardo Angara and Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) accepted the program from Dr. Rohinton Medhora, IDRC’s Vice President for Programs, via a symbolic turnover of the glass plaque bearing the telecentre.org logo. It was marked by the ceremonial banging of the gong by each of the partners namely IDRC, CICT and Microsoft . The latter was represented by its Senior Director for Global Community Affairs, Dr. Akhtar Badshah.

“We feel extremely gratified that the CICT has stepped up to become a partner. It is key for the growth of this movement,” says Dr. Badshah.

Meanwhile, the transfer was well received in the Philippine community. “The CICT is honored to become a founding partner, in the company of IDRC and Microsoft, for the next generation telecentre.org and to contribute towards building the global knowledge society of which Filipinos are very eager to be part of,” shares Sec. Chua.

On the other hand, as to whether or not IDRC will continue to be associated with telecentre.org after the turnover, Dr. Medhora had this to say: “This is not a farewell. This is simply a transition to a new phase and, we hope, a much more successful [one]”. Speaking particularly to the program’s new host, Dr. Medhora gave further assurance: “We will follow all of this with great interest, we will continue to be partners with you in your new capacity and look forward to whatever it is that follows”.

Senator Angara keynoted the launch which was well attended by around 150 participants, 21 of whom were foreign delegates. In his speech, he recognized that “ICT is a potent tool in empowering the poor by levelling the playing field and providing access to services that normally would be unaffordable or inaccessible”.

An International Telecentre Forum followed in the afternoon with telecentre leaders and activists from different countries sharing their experiences in the telecentre movement. Local participants had the chance to interact with them during the open forum.

With the transfer effected, the telecentre.org Foundation headed by its Executive Director, Dr. Basheerhamad Shadrach, will now set to work in ensuring the continuity of the program and in crafting new activities and services that will cater to the needs of the global community.

Check out the album telecentre.org Launch and Turnover Ceremonies for more photos of the event.