The Bridging the Digital Divide Project was launched almost 3 years ago aiming to assist the Lebanese Ministry of Education with the computer needs in public schools after introducing an hour of information technology in intermediate and secondary classes.

"As we observed the lack of PCs in rural public schools, we started a project to donate PCs after refurbishing them and install software. PCs were donated to us from Banks, private companies and some ministries as well as Embassies. We refurbish and install BreadBox, a software that has a windows interface with office like programs; It cheap for us to buy and can be installed on slow machines such as the 386 series with 4MB RAM." says George Awad from the UNESCO Beirut Office.

Training both in the use of Breadbox and in computer usage in general was provided to selected teachers from schools that acquired the donated PCs. "We do support the teachers as well after the training and we follow up with the schools to make sure it is being used efficiently" says Awad.

A global strategy for a more efficient use of recycled IT equipment was developed by donor organizations and potential recipients at an international meeting held at UNESCO's Paris Headquarters in March 2003. This meeting entitled "New Synergies for Recycling Information Technology Equipment" was triggered by a UNESCO working group set up to study the area of transfer of used technology.