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 ICT
is an umbrella term, widely used outside the U.S., to
encompass all rapidly emerging, evolving and converging
computer, software, networking, telecommunications, Internet,
programming and information systems technologies.
Historically, many of these fields developed separately: in
different companies, departments and R&D groups; and at
different times. With rapid improvements in computer
processing power, networking technology advances, programming
interface improvements, widespread adoption of Internet
Protocols, integration into organizational strategic
operations, and improved workforce and user competencies,
however, these fields are rapidly converging.
Equipment is converging into ever fewer devices. Previously
separate networks are converging. Previously separate
organizational departments are converging into single
operations.
In the U.S., these trends are often referred to as
"convergence." In much of the rest of the world, all of these
technologies are grouped together under a single descriptive
term, Information and Communications Technologies (ICT).
 The
United Nations, for example, uses ICT in its
Global
Alliance for ICT and Development, a global forum and
platform for policy development,
Information and Communications Technologies Task Force and
UNESCO.
 The
European Union uses the term ICT, for example in its
ICT Task Force, which conducts research and develops
policy recommendations, and at
CORDIS, for strategic R&D. EU foreign aid efforts focus on
ICT in
Latin America and Africa,
China,
Asia/Pacific, and the rest of the world.
ICT is used in
Australia, for example, by the
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRO), its national science agency and one of the
largest and most diverse research agencies in the world. Also
using the ICT term are
New Zealand, much of
Africa,
Canada, the
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the
World Bank. The term ICT is emerging as global standard
terminology.
Curiously, ICT is currently rarely used or recognized in the
U.S. The Mid-Pacific ICT Center has adopted the term and is
championing its use as a global standard in the U.S. In a
global knowledge economy, dependent on ICT, we should have a
common framework.
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