New │ Build diplomacy and reduce digital divide with technology, and create more than 730,000 digital opportunities.
Impact │ Promote Taiwan and III's international visibility as well as exploring new commercial opportunities by showcasing our information and communications capabilities.
Key │ Customization of digitalization procedures, provide information and communications technical training as well as consulting services according to the local requirements of each region and community.
Evidence │ Decade-long project creating results that were included in the 2014 APEC Leader's Declarations. "A dear friend from a world away brings distant land near." The new concepts of globalization and the "global village" have completely overtaken the traditional belief of boundaries between continents, nations, and regions. Therefore, since 2004, as a member of this global community, the Institute of Information Industry (III) has actively participated in transforming the outlook of the world by using information and communications technologies and the creation of digital opportunities. This will enable citizens from many nations to enjoy the changes and transformations that advanced technologies and Internet accessibility will bring to their lives.
Sharing Technological Research Outcomes with Member Nations The story of the ADOC project began at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) convention held in Bangkok in 2003. During the meeting, Yuan-Tseh Lee, leader and representative of the Taiwan delegation, former Academia Sinica President, proposed the establishment of the APEC Digital Opportunity Center (ADOC), a project which aims to enhance the information and communications application capabilities of APEC member countries and to reduce digital divide. This proposal received the acceptance and support of all participating leaders, resulting in the birth of a great international collaboration that spanned over a decade.
The ADOC project was a key proposal under the APEC framework; the first stage was conducted from August 2004 to 2008, and received high recognition from all participating members. To further expand the outcome of the project, Taiwan APEC delegation leader and founder of ACER Inc., Stan Shih, proposed to initiate the second phase of the APEC ADOC 2.0 project in September of 2007. Phase 2 of the project encompassed collaborations between non-governmental, non-profit organizations, and government agencies, and consisted primarily of the care of women, children, and small and medium enterprises. Participants worked tirelessly to assist member countries with establishing their digital capabilities, so that all citizens of APEC members can enjoy the opportunities presented by information and communications technologies.
Service Project Spans 3 Continents and 16 Time Zones
The ADOC project is the longest, most expansive international project that Taiwan has ever participated in. With the objective of giving back to its fellow member nations, the project spans over 3 continents and 16 time zones, involving the central and local administrations, government agencies, and private entities of 10 member nations, and concerns both the political and economic development of these regions. THE ADOC project is the model international project with the most number of people enjoying the benefits it brings.
Since the initiation of the ADOC project, III has been investing resources into its operations and assumed the responsibility of a secretariat. The Institute is extremely efficient at integrating the resources of industry providers, officials, academics, researchers, and private organizations. III is also providing various information and communications training programs to APEC member communities during different stages of digitalization. Experts were also sent to the newly established ADOC training centers to serve as trainers, who would in turn educate and improve the capabilities of local instructors. The project is focused on working closely with local partners, using local languages to conduct information and communications training programs. Since 2009, volunteers from local colleges, universities, and private organizations have also been encouraged to participate by forming outreach groups and providing services to member nations.
Use Technology to Make Friends from All Around the World
The outcome of the ADOC project was considered one of the highlights of the 2014 APEC 25th Anniversary Celebration event, and was included in the APEC Leader's Declaration at the APEC Leadership Summit held in Beijing in November of 2014.
Within the 66 article declaration statement, the ADOC project was the only project solely attributed to Taiwan's incredible efforts and recognized by all nations.
In addition, the ADOC project was recognized for its contributions in 2013 by UN associated organization AFACT, and is the proud recipient of the Award for Mitigating the Digital Divide. The project was mentioned a total of seven times in the APEC Ministerial Meeting Joint Declaration, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2014, exemplifying the ADOC project's effectiveness in augmenting Taiwan's international visibility, and its efforts in fulfilling its international and humanitarian duties.
A decade of hard work has yielded successful outcomes. The project has not only provided communities of various member states with new digital opportunities, but also creates diplomacy through technology. By sharing Taiwan's capabilities in information and communications technologies with fellow member nations, the project enhances the international visibility of both Taiwan and III, creating endless business opportunities.
Future Vision
The Institute of Information Industry's decade long participation in the ADOC project showcased Taiwan's information and communications capabilities, as well as created friendships with nations from across the globe by helping them obtain new digital opportunities.