The event was hosted by ICDL-AMR, an organisation that promotes the qualification and organises training partnerships across the Maghreb region, which includes Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Mauritania. Leading government and private-sector figures in ICT and education sectors participated in a day of seminars and discussions sponsored by MindLeaders ThirdForce, the main technology partner for ICDL national operators.

"IT Literacy for the masses as embodied in ICDL requires an ecosystem of partners to make it happen, including the crucial role of eLearning and automated testing providers", says organiser Dr. Ali Guidoum, the chairman of ICDL-AMR.

"We are very pleased with MindLeaders for supporting the efforts of ICDL-AMR in this respect. The workshop on large-scale government and public-sector ICDL projects was very successful, and the contribution provided by MindLeaders ThirdForce was very much appreciated by the high-profile participants."

Digital literacy is a key driver of workforce productivity, an enabler of economic development, and often a gateway to employment. Mirroring the success of the European Computer Driving License in the UK, several Arab countries have already been implementing large-scale ICDL programmes. However, the Maghreb region has lagged behind so far, with just 2,000 ICDL qualifications awarded in Algeria.

Attendees heard about the example offered by Egypt, where a successful five-year ICDL programme between 2006 and 2011 undertook to reach over one million students, public- sector employees, and unemployed graduates through a network of training and testing centres. Thirty-five percent of the unemployed candidates subsequently found work after gaining the qualification.