A Graduate with Bachelors of Information Technology Degree- Makerere University, currently IT Counselor TAACC-The Apac Anti-Corruption Coalition, Initially worked as Information Technology (IT) Administrator ASDI Computer Center, am the Current Chairperson Lira - Apac Computer Technician's Association (LACTA) serving as the speaker in 2009. Don't hesitate to contact me on my personal website at http://www.okello.cosmas2.htmlplanet.com

We must treat globalization as an opportunity and poverty as our challenges. Globalization is about an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world; it is about international trade, investment, and finance that have been growing far faster than national incomes, technologies that have already transformed our abilities to communicate in ways that would have been unimaginable a few years ago. We must recognize that gender equity and security are the bedrock of development. Equity for women and education for girls is perhaps the single most important development tool. “No one can turn back globalization and is about risks as well as opportunities”. We must deal with these risks at the national level by managing adjustment processes and by strengthening social, structural and financial system.

There is need to step up the work against corruption in developing countries, without these initiatives it will be impossible for countries to attract foreign and domestic private investment, which are so crucial as engines of growth and poverty reduction. “The economic wellbeing of the middle income countries can translate into trade opportunities for low income countries”.  On the other hand, financial instability, environmental degradation, and the proliferation of communicable diseases can have deleterious effects far outside their own borders, this is not crowding out the private sector but selective, focusing on areas where we have comparative advantage, and working closely with partners.

Never was there a better time for such a campaign. Knowledge about what sustainable development entails has never been better. The budgets of industrial countries have never been stronger. Technology has never been more dynamic. Our goals have never been clearer. We must seize this moment. However, public action in all countries must be driven by a new commitment to global poverty reduction. We must work together to harness the benefits of globalization to deliver prosperity to the many, not just the few. We must recognize that “business as usual” will no longer do. We must build the development dialogue on engagement and listening.

As we go forward the voices of the poor must be our guide.

Time is short. We must be the fist generation to think both as nationals of our countries and as global citizens in an ever shrinking and more connected planet. Useless we hit hard at poverty; we will not have a stable and peaceful world. Our children will inherit the world we create. The issues are urgent. The future for our children will be shaped by the decisions we make, and the courage and leadership we show today…..

FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY! AMEN.

Mr. Okello Cosmas

IT Counselor TAACC

P.O Box 64, Apac-Uganda

Contact: +256(0)774015484