At the G-8 Summit in July 2000, Cisco Systems announced the LDC Initiative to work with strategic partners - the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United States Agency for International Development's Leland Initiative - to extend the Cisco Networking Academy Program to 24 of the world's 49 Least Developed Countries (LDCs). By May 2001, the program had reached more than 27 LDCs. Learn more about participating LDCs.

Press release, July 24, 2000: "Cisco Systems, Inc., Invests in Least Developed Countries: Educational program to train students for Internet Economy." The goal of the initiative is to meet the urgent development needs of LDCs through private and public sector collaboration. To accelerate their progress towards full integration into the world economy, many LDCs need an Internet infrastructure and a workforce trained to support it. Learn more about program goals. >> More

Through this initiative, Cisco joins the United Nations Secretary General's initiative UNITeS and the United Nations Volunteers in expanding the range of information and communication technologies available within LDCs. Partners will utilize their expertise and knowledge in technology and development and work together with governments and local communities to localize the program. >> More