4. Enhancing through democratic governance often a critical determinant of impact on increased community youngsters. Telecenters can be an connectedness and participation. important complement to formal education reform, providing support to BENEFITS OF TELECENTERS students and teachers after school • hours and increasing Internet access for Rural Connectivity - Rapid developments teachers, parents, recent graduates and in wireless technology have made it the community at large. In addition, possible to overcome physical hurdles telecenters can be used for online (distance, topography), at a reasonable workforce training using programs such cost, that for long have limited the development of as the International Driver’s License ICT telecommunications training program for low income urban infrastructure in rural areas of Latin America and benefits of the Caribbean. such youth, thereby enhancing their job The investments prospects leading to poverty reduction in and crime alleviation. telecenters should be maximized by providing Internet services and not just • • Dissemination of Information – rural telephony. Shared access to these Telecenters can be used to launch services through portals that offer public services online, increase the telecenters impact of can these aimed primarily at meeting the interventions. economic and social needs of the low- Training - ICT training interventions income should be geared primarily towards educational young people. The young adapt most language that broaden labor and self- quickly and easily and is most skilled at employment opportunities. For example, using the new technologies. Since young it people are a large group in Belize, with registration, application for permits, job the longest productive horizon ahead of and land applications etc… online using them, there is a high return on ICT. It can also be used to provide a investments aimed at improving their database of jobs and people looking for productive capacity. The starting point jobs connecting citizens, government should be the strengthening of the and the private sector. can population, be portals used to including using provide simple birth formal education system, so that it incorporates the effective use of the new technologies. Teacher training is Belize ICT National Strategy 53