• Development of supporting infrastructure such as advanced communications networks, electrical power and roads essential for the delivery of universal access of ICT’s. • Cognizance of the information needs of all of society, including women, youth, the disabled, the elderly and the disenfranchised. • Government’s commitment to establish coordination mechanisms to promote integration across sectors and to lead public awareness campaigns • Alignment with regional and global policies and best practices. The genesis of this policy derives from Government’s; • Recognition of the strategic opportunities and benefits that information and communication technologies can offer to accelerate social and economic development. • Realisation that the ability to create, access, utilise and share information and knowledge is key to effective participation and wealth creation in the 21st century. • Belief that advanced communications networks, accessible to everyone, are critical to ensuring that all Basotho have the necessary resources to benefit from ICTs . • Acknowledgment of the need for national coordination among stakeholders to ensure that all sectors of the economy harness the potential of ICTs to support development goals. • Awareness of its leadership role for the transition to a knowledge-based economy and of the importance of enriching its human resource base. • Cognisance of the technological innovations that have led to convergence in communications, computing and information services and necessitated the need for a new regulatory framework that promotes technology neutral paradigms. • Understanding that as the Information Society is a global phenomenon, national efforts need to be supported by international and regional cooperation among Governments, the private sector, civil society and financial institutions. ICT Policy for Lesotho 17