Subject: Global Knowledge 97 Summary Issue
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS
A SUMMARY REPORT FROM GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE 97
PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE=20
DEVELOPMENT (IISD)
WRITTEN AND EDITED BY:=20
Jonathan Krueger J.P.Krueger@lse.ac.uk
Kira Schmidt kiras@iisd.org
Silke Speier SilkSpeier@aol.com
Greg Terrill .=20
Digital Wizardry by Rod Araneda .=20
Managing Editor=20
Langston James "Kimo" Goree VI kimo@iisd.org
WWW Coverage by IISD of GK 97 at=20
http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/sd/gk97//whatis.htm
GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE 97: KNOWLEDGE FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE INFORMATION=20
AGE
22-25 JUNE 1997
The Global Knowledge 97: Knowledge for Development in the=20
Information Age Conference took place from 22-25 June 1997 in=20
Toronto, Canada. The conference, co-hosted by the World Bank and=20
the Government of Canada and sponsored by 47 other public and=20
private organizations, was attended by more than 2000=20
participants, including over 500 from developing countries.=20
Participants came from 124 countries and included representatives=20
from government, academia, science and technology, business, the=20
media, multilateral institutions and non-governmental=20
organizations (NGOs).=20
Global Knowledge 97 (GK97) focused on harnessing the information=20
revolution for economic development, social cohesion and poverty=20
alleviation in the 21st century. The goal of the conference was to=20
explore the vital role of knowledge and information in sustainable=20
development and the ways in which the information revolution=20
transforms the development process. The conference's three major=20
themes were: understanding the role of knowledge and information=20
in economic and social development; sharing strategies for=20
harnessing knowledge; and building partnerships to empower the=20
poor and foster international dialogues about development.
The Global Knowledge 97 conference succeeded in fostering dialogue=20
and partnerships to address the opportunities and challenges posed=20
by the information revolution. Participants engaged in productive=20
dialogue on innovative initiatives and exchanged experiences about=20
successful strategies for using information and communications=20
technology to advance development goals. However, many=20
participants expressed concern that there was an overemphasis on=20
technology and an underemphasis on underlying development=20
concerns. Many participants highlighted that the challenges and=20
possibilities posed by the information age make it even more=20
pressing to address the fundamental concerns of poverty,=20
illiteracy, gender inequality and lack of access to resources.=20
Overall, GK97 generated considerable momentum and will likely=20
serve as a launching pad for future efforts to address the vital=20
roles of knowledge and information in sustainable development.=20
A BRIEF HISTORY OF GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE 97
As new technologies and new patterns of communication and=20
interaction create hitherto-unimagined opportunities for access to=20
information and knowledge and new ways for individuals,=20
communities and nations to learn and work together, they also pose=20
new challenges for developing countries and the international=20
community. GK97 was one of a number of international initiatives=20
attempting to grapple with the challenges posed by new=20
technologies and to take advantage of the ways in which=20
information and knowledge can serve as tools for economic=20
development and social empowerment.
Building on what began at the 1995 G-7 Global Information Society=20
meeting in Brussels and continued in 1996 at the Information=20
Society and Development conference in South Africa, GK97 was part=20
of a learning process of collecting questions and observations in=20
order to nurture and guide the knowledge revolution.
REPORT OF THE MEETING
During the four-day conference, delegates attended nine Plenary=20
sessions and 116 working sessions clustered around seven=20
conference tracks: empowering the poor with information and=20
knowledge; policy and regulatory frameworks for the information=20
economy; infrastructure and capacity-building; fostering science=20
and technology in developing countries; knowledge flows, civic=20
dialogue and the informed citizen; distance education and=20
technology for learning; and partnerships. A number of virtual=20
conferences took place in the lead-up to GK97, and interactive=20
global links, including video-conferencing and real-time Internet=20
discussions, were in operation at the conference in an effort to=20
stimulate a truly global dialogue on the role of knowledge and=20
information technology (IT) in development. Following is a summary=20
of the virtual conferences, Plenary sessions and a number of=20
working sessions.
SUMMARY OF VIRTUAL CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES
The virtual conferences provided those with access to the Internet=20
opportunities to participate in the debates surrounding the=20
conference issues, to connect with other interested groups and to=20
interact electronically with conference participants. The on-line=20
discussions took place in: the Global Knowledge 97 (GKD97) List;=20
the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Village=20
Well Gathering Site; and the Association for Progressive=20
Communications (APC) Virtual Conference Project, which facilitated=20
three distinct online conferences on gender, the "Storyline," and=20
lessons learned in information technology and development. These=20
virtual discussions will continue after GK97 to encourage ongoing=20
dialogue.=20
GKD97 LIST: Run by the Education Development Centre and hosted by=20
UNDP, this conference (at http://www.globalknowledge.org/gk97//whatis.htm)=20
revolves around the question of how the information revolution=20
transforms the development process. The dialogue centres around=20
several themes, including: control over and access to information=20
and technology; equity concerns; indigenous and local knowledge;=20
women and technology; distance education; capacity-building; and=20
donor priorities. Participants have provided numerous examples of=20
innovative initiatives underway to address these issues and have=20
shared information regarding relevant conferences, publications,=20
web sites and networks.
Questions such as whether technology may actually widen gaps=20
between rich and poor, what effect the introduction of information=20
and communications technology (ICT) has on social and cultural=20
elements in developing countries, and how to use technology for=20
development, have been addressed. Recommendations include:=20
ensuring access to ICT, particularly for women and the poor, and=20
strengthening their ability to package and disseminate the=20
valuable information they possess; encouraging Southern=20
governments to develop national information policies; installing=20
infrastructure, telecommunications capacity and access to=20
information networks to lower Internet costs in the South;=20
building networks to connect development agencies globally; and=20
providing citizens with greater access to government information.
Concerns regarding the direction of information flow from North to=20
South were expressed, and the need for further development of=20
South to South information exchange was highlighted. The need for=20
multilateral organizations to provide support for building=20
information production capacity in the South and for enhancing=20
local IT organizations' capacity has been underscored.
The benefits of community computer networks, community radio and=20
local information and media programmes were highlighted. Many=20
emphasized that representation and consideration of indigenous=20
needs and knowledge systems are crucial to the success of ICT=20
implementation efforts, and proposals include: using local school=20
libraries as venues for meeting local development needs;=20
establishing a communications network to connect indigenous=20
populations and promote the use of local knowledge in sustainable=20
development planning; and developing a database of indigenous=20
knowledge. Several participants have solicited a model for best=20
practices in helping communities learn how to select appropriate=20
technological solutions for local problems.
VILLAGE WELL GATHERING SITE: This virtual initiative (at=20
http://www.villagewell.gk97org/gk97//whatis.htm), operated by CIDA on behalf of the=20
World Bank, allows people worldwide to share their ideas on the=20
conference themes, establish networks and interact with conference=20
participants. It aims to ensure that dialogue is ongoing and=20
continues after the conference. The discussion recalls the basic=20
principles of community development, such as the need to establish=20
multi-directional communication between people and the need to=20
take full advantage of all available media.
The site's "guest book" and "threaded dialogue" structure allows=20
contributions to be entered directly from the web site and through=20
e-mail and fax. Participants have posted text, drawings, photos=20
and audio files as well as links to other sites. Professionals,=20
NGOs, academics and students from around the world have=20
contributed case studies, practical considerations and=20
philosophical debates. Inputs have tackled questions such as: how=20
IT may transform educational and pedagogical concerns; the lack of=20
incentive to participate fully in international partnerships due=20
to budget cuts; requests for assistance in the uses of satellite=20
technology for distance learning; how to empower the poor with=20
knowledge and information; and how to protect people's cultural=20
identity.=20
Suggestions for the physical GK97 conference were also proposed. A=20
professor from Ghana suggested examining the theme of helping=20
universities in developing countries set up their communications=20
networks, and a professor from Jamaica proposed that the=20
conference focus on trying to utilize the remote capabilities of=20
the Internet to address traditional geographic and economic=20
constraints to development.=20
Several contributions have been made to the following guest books:=20
Understanding the Role of Knowledge; Building New Partnerships;=20
Sharing Strategies; and Schools. In Building New Partnerships, for=20
example, a legal scholar from Estonia pointed out how useful the=20
Internet could be for supporting information-sharing to facilitate=20
legal and constitutional reforms in emerging democracies around=20
the world. It has also been noted that IT should not be used "for=20
its own sake" but for tangible goals that can be shared by entire=20
communities.=20
Extensive dialogue has occurred in the threaded dialogue on=20
schools, which encourages children, teachers and parents to join=20
the global knowledge discussion. A threaded dialogue geared=20
towards university students fosters interaction between academia=20
and the private sector, and another threaded dialogue, "Dialogo en=20
Castellano," facilitates discussions among Spanish speakers. =20
"Looking for Assistance" posts requests from visitors looking for=20
assistance and information, and in "Stories from the Well,"=20
participants share knowledge on practical experiences.
APC VIRTUAL CONFERENCE PROJECT: The three on-line discussions=20
hosted by APC can be found at http://www.community.web.net/gk97.7//whatis.htm
Gender And Information Technology Conference: The "gk97.gender"=20
conference focuses on the role of women in IT and development.=20
Discussions have centred around: gender considerations in IT=20
programme and policy development; gender-sensitive training and=20
support; problems of access; privacy and security for women on the=20
Internet; and making IT a priority for women.
Participants have exchanged information about innovative uses of=20
IT, such as a community women's networking access initiative in=20
Tver, Russia, operating out of a university professor's home,=20
where one e-mail account is shared among 30 women who then act as=20
information bridges to those not on-line by making presentations=20
of their findings. A host of practical suggestions have been=20
aired, including the need for: greater emphasis on grassroots=20
access to new technologies such as women's microbanking, IT=20
applications to deal with illiteracy and development of solar-
based IT technologies for use by rural women; gender sensitization=20
programmes for policy makers; the use of IT to improve gender=20
monitoring of organizations; and care to ensure that application=20
of IT conforms to the beneficiaries' concepts of development.
Many participants have addressed the need to lobby decision-makers=20
and to take the World Bank and others to task for the under-
representation of women in high-level IT circles. The need to=20
build bridges between connected and non-connected women and to=20
create means to ensure that non-connected groups are not excluded=20
from knowledge and information exchange has been underscored.=20
Suggestions regarding how to get women to use networks have=20
highlighted the importance of: getting women more involved in the=20
development of information technology so that IT tools will meet=20
women's needs; using other communication tools, such as video, as=20
a way of reaching non-literate people; increasing technical=20
training for women; and developing community outreach programmes=20
for women to learn new IT skills.
GK97 Storyline: The "gk97.storyline" is a "living document" that=20
asks the question: "what is knowledge for development?" This=20
discussion is based on the original Storyline document, prepared=20
for GK97 conference organizers to frame ideas and debates, raise=20
questions and present challenges in advance of the conference. The=20
key ideas in the Storyline include: access to information,=20
knowledge and technology; uses of the Internet, both positive and=20
negative; democratization of the Internet and of government;=20
decentralization of power; coalition-building through the=20
Internet; the role of various actors in IT; how funding decisions=20
are made; and how the Internet can redefine "development."=20
Contributors to the discussion have examined the potential=20
implications of the information revolution in traditional native=20
cultures. One participant expressed concern that the Storyline=20
paper is based on the assumption that economic and political=20
globalization will change the life of traditional cultures and=20
wipe out their heritage. Another participant responded that human=20
history is the history of great migrations, peoples mixing,=20
disappearing and emerging with new identities. It was suggested=20
that perhaps there should be a conference on Global Wisdom rather=20
than Global Knowledge.=20
Information Technology And Development: Lessons Learned: The=20
purpose of the "gk97.lessons" conference is to share the=20
experiences of APC users and others who have triumphed, struggled=20
or been by-passed during the information revolution. This list=20
invites examples of APC network successes or failures and ideas,=20
strategies and projects that take advantage of information=20
technology. Many examples of the successful use of IT for=20
development purposes have been described, including: the use of IT=20
and telecommunications technology by an NGO to support agrarian=20
reform in Brazil; the use of an "InterRave" to raise funds to=20
supply modems to the indigenous people of Sarawak; the=20
establishment of an on-line women's discussion forum during the=20
Fourth World Conference on Women; and the use of e-mail to free a=20
jailed democracy activist in Russia. Other examples of IT-based=20
initiatives have also been outlined, such as the use of e-mail to=20
support international campaigns for human rights and freedom of=20
expression and to publicize the plight of the rainforests of New=20
Guinea; the establishment of an e-mail network in the former=20
Yugoslavia dedicated to improving peace-oriented communications=20
possibilities; the activities of a women's media association in=20
Tanzania; and the establishment and activities of an electronic=20
conference for Francophone African women. One participant raised=20
the question of how "success" and "failure" in the field of=20
electronic communication for development should be framed and=20
noted that the "connection" of people does not automatically=20
induce active communication. Another participant reminded the=20
discussion that the existence of telecommunications infrastructure=20
should not be taken for granted, especially in developing=20
countries.
PLENARY SESSIONS
WELCOMING PRESENTATIONS: The Global Knowledge 97 conference opened=20
on Sunday, 22 June 1997 in an evening Plenary session. Following a=20
traditional dance performance by the Kenata Native Dance Theatre,=20
Elder Shannon Thunderbird of the Tsimshian Nation of British=20
Columbia presented a talking stick, a time-honored tradition of=20
the First Nations people. She described the ethics of the talking=20
stick, highlighting those of non-interference and not showing=20
anger. She stressed that all people should be heard and hear=20
others.=20
Rom=E9o LeBlanc, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada,=20
compared the great Canadian railroad of a century ago with the=20
growing information highway, which will play a critical role in=20
the future development of Canadian society. He described GK97 as=20
part of an ongoing voyage of discovery and dialogue on the global=20
information society. He stated that the information age carries=20
opportunities as well as risks. Opportunities include: fostering=20
economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction; promoting=20
international solidarity; and creating a better-informed=20
citizenry. Threats include: the undermining of existing social=20
institutions; the fragmentation of society; and the deepening of=20
fault lines between rich and poor. He stressed the importance of=20
equitable access to ICT. He pointed out that the new technologies=20
offer hope but are not a panacea: they are only "tools" and=20
require close linkage to progress in the economic, social and=20
political sectors. He pointed out that exciting changes are taking=20
place which signal hope and progress for society, and urged=20
participants to seize the extraordinary momentum of the=20
information revolution by sharing knowledge and experience and by=20
forming partnerships to enable all to participate in the global=20
information society.
James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, remarked that it=20
is appropriate for this conference to meet in Canada, as Canada=20
has been ranked highest on the UNDP Human Development Index for=20
the fourth year in a row. He stated that while the world is=20
constantly growing and changing, the World Bank is committed to=20
the use of information and technology for development. However,=20
success requires not only money but also partnerships and people=20
who will listen and learn from each other. He emphasized that the=20
wide range of participants in attendance, particularly the 30%=20
that are women, is central to making the conference a success.=20
Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General, stated that=20
participants have convened at this conference because all share a=20
concern about poverty and are convinced that poverty can be=20
reversed. He stated that, in the coming days, delegates will begin=20
a global conversation to discover new ways to make information an=20
agent for change and a tool for prosperity, and he called on=20
participants to make information and technology their partners for=20
progress and to form a global partnership for information. He=20
stressed that knowledge is power, information is liberating and=20
education is the premise of progress in every society and family.=20
Information and freedom are indivisible: the information=20
revolution is unthinkable without democracy and true democracy is=20
unimaginable without freedom of information, and he stated that=20
the UN pledges its commitment to this as information's new=20
frontier. He noted that the spread of information is making=20
transparency and accountability a fact of life for all free=20
governments. The challenge now is to make information available to=20
all. Access is crucial, and the ability to publish newspapers=20
without censorship and to communicate freely across national=20
boundaries must become fundamental freedoms for all people.=20
Communications and information technology have enormous potential=20
for sustainable development, but the information gap has become=20
the new dividing line between the "haves" and the "have nots."=20
He outlined what GK97 delegates can do to foster an enabling=20
environment for development and democracy, which are the=20
conditions for global knowledge: promote greater, freer and fairer=20
access to information for developing countries through=20
infrastructure improvement and technological advances; advance=20
liberalization of government control and censorship where it=20
exists; foster environments of growth and communication between=20
developed and developing countries so that technology transfer=20
becomes faster and more effective; initiate innovative approaches=20
to education and learning at all levels; welcome foreign=20
investment and make it an agent for knowledge; provide for pilot=20
projects in interactive long-distance learning, telemedicine,=20
telebanking, micro-credit schemes and environmental protection and=20
management; and ensure that the young will be the first to gain=20
this knowledge and make it their partner in the pursuit of a=20
better world.=20
THE GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE AGENDA: Diane Marleau, Canadian Minister for=20
International Cooperation and Minister responsible for La=20
Francophonie, emphasized the importance of equitable access for=20
all and productive partnerships. She stressed that information=20
must be practical and adaptable to local needs. She highlighted=20
the importance of education for girls, particularly in Africa, and=20
emphasized that partnerships can facilitate equitable access. She=20
said governments should guarantee that all citizens have access to=20
information and foster an enabling environment for private sector=20
investment in ICT.=20
James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, stressed the=20
need to overcome the gap between rich and poor. The major=20
challenge is to increase people's ability to access new=20
technology, and success must be measured by impacts on poverty and=20
development. He remarked that governments and institutions should=20
be guided by the wishes of their citizens. He recalled Secretary-
General Annan's observation that it is ignorance, not knowledge,=20
that constrains society, and he urged participants to strive for a=20
better world.
Jos=E9 Mar=EDa Figueres, President of Costa Rica, stressed that the=20
purpose of this conference is to discuss knowledge in the=20
information age in the context of furthering the well-being of=20
people. He outlined Costa Rica's experience and investments in=20
health, infrastructure development, education, communications and=20
institution-building. He stressed that of all these areas,=20
education is the most important. He outlined many indicators of=20
improvement, including: increased life expectancy; improved=20
environmental indicators; and greater economic liberty. He=20
suggested that sustainable development is a way of taking=20
decisions that encompass all areas of action in society. He called=20
for greater efforts to provide access to ICT in order to ensure=20
equality for all.
Yoweri K. Museveni, President of Uganda, stated that in the past,=20
man has been oppressed by nature and by fellow men. He said=20
science and technology enabled humanity to overcome the former,=20
and only the universalization of knowledge will create an=20
equilibrium where none will use knowledge to the detriment of=20
others. He outlined the obstacles to access to knowledge in=20
Uganda: illiteracy; archaic curricula; difficulties in the=20
transmission of knowledge to farmers; and dormancy of ancient=20
knowledge. He stressed that as knowledge spreads across the globe=20
and becomes more democratically owned, an adjustment in the world=20
system will be essential, and all will have to find a niche where=20
they can contribute to this knowledge.
INVESTING IN KNOWLEDGE: Maurice Strong, Special Advisor to the UN=20
Secretary-General, stressed that although GK97 is focusing on=20
knowledge, civilizational changes driven by the knowledge=20
revolution are also at issue.=20
Joy Male, Administrator, Mengo Senior School, Kampala, Uganda,=20
spoke of the pioneering school-to-school initiative (SSI) underway=20
in Uganda. The SSI, a one-year pilot project started in 1996, has=20
made computers, printers and for the first time in Uganda, access=20
to the Internet available to three schools. The SSI is very=20
popular in schools and local communities and is being used to=20
network, share best practices and increase skills. She outlined=20
challenges for the future: to ensure that the programme continues=20
beyond the pilot project, and to carry the programme forward into=20
other schools.=20
Joseph E. Stiglitz, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of=20
the World Bank, emphasized that knowledge is the driving force=20
behind economic development. He listed prerequisites of the=20
telecommunications revolution, including: continued investment in=20
human capital; an enabling environment for investments in new=20
technologies; policies to ensure that the benefits of economic=20
growth are shared widely; creation of knowledge infrastructure;=20
and democratic development. He stressed the importance of:=20
effective competition leading to low prices and allowing the poor=20
to participate; a regulatory structure to protect consumers; and=20
political and regulatory stability.=20
John Manley, Canadian Minister of Industry, observed that advances=20
in information technology are transforming industrial economies=20
into knowledge-based economies. He emphasized that this state of=20
"connectedness" provides new opportunities and has the potential=20
to level the playing field between developed and developing=20
nations. Developing countries can "leapfrog" old technologies and=20
avoid regulatory and policy pitfalls. He stressed, however, that=20
we must not lose sight of basic human values. He outlined several=20
programmes that Canada will initiate at home and abroad to improve=20
access to IT tools and skills.
Fawzi Al-Sultan, President of the International Fund for=20
Agricultural Development (IFAD), stated that the millions of poor=20
farmers, herders and fisherman possess valuable knowledge.=20
However, for knowledge to become a force for poverty alleviation,=20
the poor require access to experiences of comparable communities,=20
and their knowledge must be sharpened by access to outside=20
knowledge in ways that enable them to select those elements most=20
relevant to their needs. He said information is the cornerstone of=20
sustainable development, and modern technologies must be made=20
available to the poor. He outlined efforts by IFAD in this regard.=20
He stressed that investment in knowledge represents a commitment=20
to people and a better future for all.
INVESTING IN KNOWLEDGE INFRASTRUCTURE: Michael Dell, Founder and=20
Chair of the Dell Computer Corporation, spoke of recent and rapid=20
technological changes. He noted the opportunities that emerging=20
economies have to "leapfrog" stages of development and take full=20
advantage of technology to assist their development. He advised=20
emerging economies to accelerate their development by maintaining=20
open telecommunications markets in order to drive down costs for=20
users. This is an instance of how emerging economies may develop=20
and avoid the mistakes of the North.=20
Claude Forget, Special Adviser to the Chair of the Board and CEO=20
of Teleglobe, Inc., reflected upon the enormous changes currently=20
underway in ICT. He observed that the global information=20
infrastructure is a neutral tool that requires government action=20
to ensure that it is a force for good. Governments should work to=20
ensure that: policy frameworks are optimal; training and education=20
are maximized; and the global information infrastructure is=20
interactive rather than one-way. Above all, governments must=20
ensure that the gap between the information rich and poor is=20
reduced so that the enormous potential of the information society=20
may be realized fully.
Jean Monty, Vice Chair and CEO of Nortel, spoke of the growth of=20
the information infrastructure, or "infostructure." He also noted=20
differences in access to ICT services, or "teledensity."=20
Nonetheless, ICT is drawing the world closer together and changing=20
the relationships between citizens, governments and corporations.=20
Nortel, for example, now operates in a truly internationalized=20
network. Governments must play a role, in strengthening research=20
and education, facilitating innovation and promoting on-line=20
access. He called on development agencies to fund=20
telecommunications infrastructure as an agent of development and=20
equality.
GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE: A PARTNERSHIP FOR WOMEN AND MEN: Huguette=20
Labelle, President of CIDA, noted that CIDA has been working to=20
integrate women into the mainstream of development for many years.=20
She stated that women's efforts in development were not recognized=20
and that the key is participation in decision-making that leads to=20
the process of development. She observed that few women become=20
interested in computers until there is a clear practical benefit=20
for themselves and their families. She outlined the challenges for=20
the future: to ensure appreciation of women's methods of=20
communication; to reduce social and economic barriers for women=20
who want to use IT; and to create better access to these=20
technologies.
Shirley Malcolm, Director of the American Association for the=20
Advancement of Science Educational Programme, emphasized that=20
education in science and technology is crucial to realizing=20
sustainable human development and that ICT must be available to=20
support education and development. She stressed that women must=20
have access to the education and technologies essential for=20
development. She noted that while women comprise the overwhelming=20
proportion of the poor, they bear primary responsibility for food=20
security, reproduction and family maintenance. A substantial=20
amount of local traditional knowledge is held by women, especially=20
in the areas of agriculture, environmental resource management and=20
health. She stressed that discussions and strategies about=20
development have been undertaken without women's involvement and=20
without an understanding of their effects on women or of the need=20
to consider women's roles and responsibilities in the family and=20
the community. Getting knowledge to women will contribute to=20
improving women's situation, and efforts to build on local=20
practices and utilize ICTs should be mounted on a larger scale. An=20
enhanced vision of inclusive development strategies can only be=20
realized if: access to technology is provided to close the gap=20
between information "haves" and "have nots;" women acquire the=20
means to access the knowledge necessary to be actors rather than=20
objects of development; women and their concerns are present at=20
all levels of development; and gender dimensions and consequences=20
are considered in all decisions.=20
Kathryn White, President of Black & White Communications, stressed=20
that science and technology are gendered. She said the World Bank=20
should invest in computers and telecommunications that are=20
designed, developed and produced for and by women, and she=20
highlighted that women are using networks in creative and=20
astounding ways. She informed participants that the Independent=20
Committee on Women and Global Knowledge had established an award=20
for women contributing to the development of global knowledge=20
through ICTs. She presented the Canon on Gender, Partnerships and=20
ICT Development, which outlines three basic principles essential=20
to sound planning for ICT development and design: the impact of=20
ICTs on development must consider the needs of men and women; the=20
design of ICT systems must ensure that men and women are equitably=20
involved in every facet of ICT development; and evaluations of ICT=20
development must take into account the distinct situations and=20
resources of women and men to ensure that all have continuous=20
learning.
James D. Wolfensohn, World Bank President, stated that there can=20
be no development without women. He noted that women have been=20
transmitting culture and education long before computers. He said=20
communication via the Internet is gender-neutral and can be=20
conducted with equality. He urged women to grasp the opportunities=20
offered by the new technologies.=20
KNOWLEDGE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE: Katherine Hagen, Deputy Director=20
General of the International Labor Organization (ILO), stated that=20
social justice and development require good governance, which can=20
be supported by widespread access to knowledge. She highlighted=20
the ILO's role in disseminating human rights information via ICT.=20
She noted the rise of democratic regimes due to the creation of=20
informed citizens. She called for a reduction of the gap between=20
the information poor and rich and for universal access to ICT.=20
Pepi Patron, Professor of Philosophy at the Catholic University of=20
Peru, discussed the relationships between knowledge, women and=20
good governance. She said women are changing the traditional=20
conception of knowledge, even when they are not in contact with=20
formal information networks. She suggested that the Internet and=20
computers can provide a public space for women's voices but=20
cautioned that the number of women with access to this technology=20
is limited. She also noted that women must learn to speak with all=20
segments of society.
Lloyd Axworthy, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke of the=20
need for information technology to work for people. He anticipated=20
that the day is coming when "the mouse will be mightier than the=20
sword." Democratization is crucial and requires not simply=20
elections, but the fortification of civil society and the=20
empowerment of citizens. Information can aid this powersharing,=20
becoming "the Colt 45 for the grassroots." He spoke also of the=20
need to beware of the dark sides of the information revolution,=20
such as pornography, monopoly and elite control of information and=20
hate propaganda. To avoid such problems, there is an urgent need=20
to create policy frameworks to shape technology and balance=20
privacy issues, freedom of speech and human rights. He stated that=20
Canada is working to promote an international information strategy=20
that would guarantee equality of access and the shaping of=20
technology to human needs.
GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE AND LOCAL CULTURE: Huguette Labelle, President of=20
CIDA, discussed access to and use of ICTs. She stated that ICTs=20
have the power to wipe out traditional societies and flatten local=20
cultures and languages. But the information revolution need not=20
impoverish life. ICTs can open up new interactions between humans,=20
enriching and vitalizing local cultures. Local cultures are=20
alternative information banks, vital to the world and embodying=20
information others have not yet discovered. She spoke of the Inuit=20
people, who, by using ICTs in local languages to link scattered=20
settlements, have become an effective political voice.
Federico Mayor, Director General of UNESCO, stressed the need to=20
reach the unreached and include the excluded. In the past,=20
development has failed when it was presumed that development was=20
an external issue. On the contrary, development is internal to=20
countries and to individuals. Optimum development is not merely an=20
economic process but draws upon values, vision and wisdom. He=20
noted the need to respect individual and cultural diversity and to=20
learn from the wisdom of those whom we would help to develop.=20
Knowledge is increasingly central to economic growth, but more=20
important still is imagination and the courage to share the gains.
Jennifer Makunike-Sibanda, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation,=20
reminded participants of the hardships of African life,=20
particularly for women. At her broadcasting organization, the=20
globalization of culture is overwhelmingly evident in the=20
predominantly imported programming. She spoke of the centrality of=20
culture to humanity and individuality and highlighted the danger=20
that the information revolution will continue to exacerbate=20
differences in wealth and opportunity, a process that is already=20
visible in access to telephones and computers.=20
THE CHALLENGES AHEAD: Carla O'Dell, President of the American=20
Productivity and Quality Centre, shared her experience in=20
promoting best practices in companies. Like societies, companies=20
have problems with internal information flow and with ensuring=20
that knowledge leads to action. She observed that best practices=20
may not easily be transferred, even where they are understood. But=20
knowledge is crucial, and ICT can help overcome ignorance. The=20
spread of best practices can be enhanced by: access to information=20
and to those who know how to explain information; trusting and=20
credible relationships between teachers and learners; and the use=20
of facilitators. She noted that those most in need of advice on=20
best practices often have the least time to learn.=20
Anders Wijkman, Assistant Administrator of UNDP, emphasized the=20
need to learn more about the information revolution and to build=20
partnerships. He highlighted opportunities to harness the gains of=20
the information revolution for basic development aims. He stated=20
that ICT can assist in reducing global environmental problems, but=20
it can also divert attention away from basic needs. He asserted=20
that "a computer chip does not fill an empty stomach." He=20
highlighted the risk of exclusion and marginalization and said ICT=20
cannot be seen as the solution to everything. He emphasized the=20
need to build capacity, increase literacy and respect cultural=20
diversity. He stated that key outcomes from this conference have=20
been dialogues, networks and inspirations.
Vivienne Wee, Executive Director of ENGENDER, highlighted the gaps=20
between the global village and the real world, particularly the=20
gender gap. She noted that if a systemic approach to closing the=20
development gap is to be taken, then the gender gap must be=20
addressed. She emphasized that women lack access, ownership and=20
control over their livelihood resources. She asserted that ICTs=20
have not entered into a gender-neutral context but into a long=20
chain of gender inequities. She suggested that ICT be used: as an=20
information and advocacy tool for women's knowledge; to lessen the=20
distance between policy-makers and the beneficiaries of=20
development; to document women's indigenous knowledge; and as a=20
financial tool to help women market their products.=20
PARTNERS FOR THE FUTURE: Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijiri, Director=20
General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural=20
Organization, discussed the importance of cultural development and=20
cooperation. He stated that the consolidation of international=20
peace and the strengthening of human rights and democracy is based=20
on the free circulation of information and its dissemination on a=20
more balanced scale. He suggested that cultural partnership is the=20
means to achieve this. He expressed hope that partnerships will=20
promote the principle of equal rights and the achievement of=20
international cooperation and understanding. He said any concept=20
of development must be based on international understanding and=20
cooperation, and this conference has paved the way for future=20
partnership in this regard.
Jay Naidoo, South African Minister of Post, Telecoms and=20
Broadcasting, emphasized the critical role of the state in ICT=20
development. He said that privatization, deregulation, free=20
markets and competition are the "new holy grails." He spoke of the=20
need to address these imposed models head-on and for sovereign=20
national governments to determine their own goals in the=20
telecommunications sector. Future conferences like this must: have=20
a stronger concern with human development; examine the=20
relationship between where we want to go and where we are heading;=20
and focus on debt. He stressed the need for a comprehensive=20
strategy to bring the developing world into the information=20
society. Developing countries must not become the "battleground=20
for the knights of the development round table," and information=20
colonialism must be avoided. He called for a transformation of the=20
Internet from a hobby of the rich to a tool for the masses and for=20
a shift from illiteracy to computer literacy.=20
Martha Davies, President of Quipunet, said the conference has been=20
an exploratory experience. She noted that she, along with hundreds=20
of people from developing countries, has been participating in=20
UNDP's GKD97 virtual conference, and she highlighted the rich=20
interaction that has been evolving. She expressed the importance=20
of keeping this productive line of communication open and ongoing,=20
to allow people to continue to tap one another's knowledge and=20
share solutions to common problems.
Keynote Address: Arno Penzias, Nobel Laureate, Vice President and=20
Chief Scientist of Lucent Technologies, Bell Labs Innovations,=20
delivered the keynote address. He presented a number of=20
predictions regarding the changes that will be wrought by=20
technological advances in the next generation. He suggested that=20
there will be a million-fold increase in the power of=20
microelectronics and a thousand-fold drop in the cost of public=20
data communications. He stated that instead of the "last mile,"=20
the last meter will pace communication costs: the access=20
bottleneck will be broken and a new generation of small-scale low-
cost data networks will become widespread.=20
He predicted that networked products and services will cost less=20
than stand-alone products and services and that the Internet will=20
surpass our present-day expectations, with "killer" combinations=20
of communication, transactions and information and entertainment,=20
as the primary transaction pathway within and between businesses,=20
and as an important aid to, but not replacement for, education. He=20
said targeted marketing will spur the use of agent technology. He=20
anticipated that: privacy as we now know it will disappear for all=20
but a few; "truly personal" computers will become a part of future=20
clothing; and vertical integration will play a shrinking role in=20
future business. He predicted that biotechnology will give us more=20
power than we can handle: the full ability to map, simulate and=20
modify biological molecules, atom by atom, to repair or replace=20
worn-out or defective components in the human life support chain,=20
and to extend the human genome project to other living systems.=20
He predicted that in most respects, society will continue to work=20
as it does now, as we habitually underestimate technology's pace=20
and overestimate its impact. He said computers help us with speed=20
but not with direction - we have to steer them ourselves.
Closing Statements: Jean-Louis Sarbib, Vice President of the World=20
Bank's Africa Division, stated that knowledge multiplies when=20
shared, and we can all continue the exchanges initiated at the=20
conference. He stated that governments must implement policies and=20
infrastructure and educate their populations, the private sector=20
should lead in developing technological opportunities, and civil=20
society has an ongoing role in reducing poverty and preserving the=20
environment. The challenge for the international sector is to=20
ensure that these groups interact and cooperate. If knowledge is=20
to be truly global, it is essential that "geography does not=20
become destiny" and that the disadvantaged are not left behind by=20
the information revolution. He noted that many challenges remain,=20
such as intellectual property issues and access to technology. He=20
stressed that communications need to go in all directions, and all=20
kinds of knowledge need to be shared. He called for a global=20
partnership for action, strengthening existing relationships and=20
fostering those that were made at this conference. The conference=20
has reminded the World Bank of four fundamental issues: the=20
importance of listening, participation and empowerment; the=20
centrality of continuous learning, in recognition of which the=20
Bank is transforming itself into a "knowledge bank;" the=20
importance of linking people and organizations in partnerships;=20
and the role of the Bank in helping "level the knowledge playing=20
field." Several future directions have become clear: the virtual=20
conference will continue; further meetings, including a global=20
knowledge conference in Africa, are being discussed; and an=20
international corps of knowledge volunteers, charged with=20
developing protocols for cyber conversations, is being considered.=20
Diane Marleau, Canadian Minister for International Cooperation and=20
Minister responsible for La Francophonie, encouraged participants=20
to continue the virtual dialogue on the conference topics. She=20
announced that Canada has decided to support the African Virtual=20
University. She noted that the conference has provided=20
opportunities as well as challenges, and summarized the outcomes=20
of the conference: mutual learning; the creation of partnerships;=20
and shared understanding at the dawn of the information age. She=20
recalled Secretary-General Annan's statement that this conference=20
was convened to help eradicate poverty and to employ ICT to=20
strengthen development. She stressed that universal access to ICT=20
should be a guiding principle and that knowledge should be shared=20
in ways that respect cultural diversity, include women as equals=20
and minorities as full participants, and most importantly,=20
encourage people to listen to each other. She urged participants=20
to seize the opportunity of the conference and take action now.
WORKING SESSIONS
Delegates attended a total of 116 working sessions over the course=20
of three days. The sessions were organized around the seven=20
conference tracks: empowering the poor with information and=20
knowledge; the role of the state: policy and regulatory frameworks=20
for the information economy; infrastructure and capacity-building;=20
fostering science and technology in developing countries;=20
knowledge flows, civic dialogue and the informed citizen; distance=20
education and technology for learning; and partnerships. A number=20
of these sessions are summarized below.
EMPOWERING THE POOR WITH INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE
In addition to the sessions summarized below, delegates attended=20
sessions on: Information Technologies for Population and=20
Development Programmes, Including Reproductive Health and=20
Reproductive Rights; Promoting Grassroots Women's Entrepreneurship=20
in Developing Countries: Three Tools; Meeting the Information=20
Needs of Front-line Health Workers; Managing Health Risks with=20
Information: Emerging Diseases and Natural Disasters; Knowledge=20
Generation for and by the Rural Poor: Four Initiatives; and=20
Telemedicine: Tools, Strategies and Controversies.
Partnership for Knowledge Sharing and Connectivity: Special=20
Challenges in Africa: In this session, it was noted that Africa=20
was the last continent to be connected to the Internet. The Africa=20
Information Society Initiative, which aims to enhance information=20
infrastructure and ensure that every African has the information=20
necessary to build economic capacity and exercise democratic=20
rights, was described. Panelists addressed a range of social and=20
technological issues, often noting that despite difficulties with=20
costs, content and connectivity, there are numerous local success=20
stories.
Voices for Choices: Participatory Innovations in Knowledge=20
Creation: This session highlighted innovations in knowledge-
building and participation in public policy deliberations by=20
research, non-governmental and social action groups. Participants=20
emphasized: why citizens do and do not participate in policy=20
dialogue; successful uses of modern technology to spread=20
information on human rights issues; the need for interaction=20
between human rights and environmental movements; experiences of=20
information training in Hungary and Peru; the North-South=20
Institute's projects for women in Africa; and "gendered"=20
information. Participants debated gender, equity and structural=20
adjustment in Africa.=20
Tools and Technologies for Crisis Prevention and Disaster Relief:=20
Panelists emphasized that humanitarian agencies are increasingly=20
judged by their capacity to provide and use information, although=20
some are falling behind in this respect. It was highlighted that=20
agencies need to systematize and professionalize their information=20
operations while simultaneously increasing the capacity of local=20
organizations.
Empowering Information Tools for Grassroots Women: Panelists=20
highlighted the importance of: women's involvement in shaping ICT=20
as it evolves; building bridges between women and men in=20
government and media; training in technical skills and strategic=20
use of ICT; using multiple channels for disseminating information;=20
women's time constraints and the need for efficiency in ICTs; and=20
finding ways to connect with e-mail-only users. Participants=20
called for new search engines catering to women's needs and=20
stressed that Internet communication should not eclipse human=20
interaction.=20
Use of Communication Technology by Grassroots Women: Best=20
Practices: Panelists outlined initiatives that: make market, price=20
and labor information available to women; provide training for=20
marginalized people to master technology and information; teach=20
computer literacy; explore social and economic impacts of ICT on=20
women's lives; and examine how trade can expand opportunities for=20
women. Discussion highlighted: the primacy of economic problems=20
and information needs; the demand for new skills arising from ICT=20
development; differential impacts of ICT on different types of=20
women; and the need to document women's indigenous knowledge.
Broadcast Radio for Development: This session heard presentations=20
on: radio and distance education; portable broadcasting stations=20
and low-tech radios; a network of NGOs that provides radio scripts=20
on agricultural issues based on grassroots knowledge in developing=20
countries; interactive radio in India; and educational=20
broadcasting by the BBC. It was suggested that radio is superior=20
to ICT because: it remains the best means of mass communication;=20
it can reach the illiterate; and it can be provided at reasonable=20
cost. However, it was emphasized that these technologies should be=20
produced in developing countries rather than imported and that=20
government regulations can hinder free media and creation of=20
community broadcasters.
Multisectoral Rural Development Through Telematics and=20
Telecentres: Panelists described multipurpose community=20
telecentres (MCTs) that provide telecommunications and other=20
services to communities in rural areas. To be effective and=20
sustainable, telecentres must: be locally defined and appropriate;=20
involve women and youth; meet real community needs; have strong=20
community, horizontal and vertical partnerships; and have=20
regionally or nationally administered funding. Panelists also:=20
noted that access to information through MCTs is crucial to the=20
development of other social sectors; stressed the importance of=20
equitable access to these services; and highlighted that MCTs can=20
have positive multiplier effects in areas such as agriculture,=20
health, education and environment. Participants examined=20
community-based examples from Africa and Latin America, showcasing=20
telecentres which: use distance health diagnosis and organize more=20
efficient medical supply in rural areas; use distance education;=20
and empower local information brokers, such as community radio=20
broadcasters.=20
Using Information Technology to Improve Natural Resource=20
Management: Panelists described USAID's initiatives using=20
information technology tools for assessing and sharing natural=20
resource information for sustainable development, and sought=20
feedback and advice on developing partnerships to apply these=20
tools. Participants expressed particular interest in training=20
modules for managing international waters and discussed technology=20
transfer, distance learning and remote sensing.=20
New Approaches to Rural Energy and Sustainable Development:=20
Participants explored approaches to improving access to energy for=20
people dependent on traditional fuels. Discussion revolved around:=20
the real costs of bio-mass fuel due to time spent on fuel-wood=20
collection; the importance of local control over bio-fuel=20
resources and of increased energy efficiency; the need to shift to=20
modern fuel use; the underestimation of available wind resources=20
and adverse policies such as import duties on alternative=20
technologies; and micro-finance for energy in rural areas.=20
Examples included: local forest management in Niger; a micro-hydro=20
project in Nepal; wind power in China, Russia and Brazil; and=20
photo-voltaic systems in Kenya. Challenges identified included=20
inequalities in access to energy and difficulties in financing=20
access to energy.=20
Sustainable Livelihoods in the Information Age: The debate focused=20
on sustainable livelihoods as an overarching concept, proposed in=20
Agenda 21, as a means to link social, economic and environmental=20
issues. Presentations showed how IT can be a positive force=20
supporting development and how IT's negative consequences can be=20
avoided. Participants stressed: the role of radio, which reaches=20
more people than the Internet; how IT expresses Western values and=20
destroys native cultural values; and the conference's lack of=20
scrutiny of the problems of the poor who are starving, illiterate=20
and living without the most basic technologies.
Traditional Knowledge in the Information Age: This session heard=20
from First Nations elders and experts on: the nature, content,=20
role of and changes in knowledge in traditional societies; the=20
challenges faced by those who have been termed "technopeasants;"=20
and the stresses upon traditional societies. The problems of=20
incorporating traditional wisdom into contemporary policy=20
development were discussed, and guidelines to educate governments=20
and business on indigenous issues were outlined. William Commanda,=20
a First Nations Elder, shared the wealth of his 85 years of=20
knowledge and experience.
THE ROLE OF THE STATE: POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS FOR THE=20
INFORMATION ECONOMY
Delegates also attended working sessions in this track that are=20
not summarized below, on: Telecommunications Deregulation and the=20
Issue of Universal Access; and Practical Experiences in Financing=20
Infrastructure and Services: Case Studies.
Role of the State in Creating an Enabling Environment for Private=20
Investment and Access: Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: This=20
session centred on: telecommunications liberalization and=20
investment needs; the residual role of the state in providing=20
universal access; the role of international organizations; and the=20
domains (education, medicine, government) and channels (Internet,=20
telephony, software) of the information economy. Participants=20
explored questions relating to capacity-building, the importance=20
of legal frameworks and the regulation of content.=20
The Importance of Intellectual Property Rights to the Information=20
Economy: Panelists: stressed the need to protect industry's=20
intellectual property rights (IPR) while sharing knowledge and=20
information for education and scientific development; described=20
work to assist developing countries in developing their own=20
intellectual property and in utilizing "free" information to this=20
end; emphasized cost implications of IPR for developing countries;=20
called for transparency from corporations; and suggested that=20
industry invest in legal infrastructure for enforcement of IPR and=20
subsidize access to ICT in developing countries. Participants=20
highlighted the implications of biotechnology patenting and the=20
high costs of enforcing IPR.
Case Studies in Telecommunication Liberalization and Capacity-
Building: Chile, Colombia, Estonia and Mozambique: Participants=20
heard four presentations on: the Chilean programme "Enlaces:=20
Towards a Community of Learners;" the challenges facing further=20
telecommunications development in Estonia; an IT collaboration=20
between a Mozambiquan university and the national telephone=20
company; and the results of a report from Colombia that analyzed=20
access to IT and its economic and social impact for both=20
developing countries and countries with economies in transition.=20
Several concerns were raised regarding the policy environment that=20
governments should create and the role of the private sector.
Evaluating and Implementing ICT Strategies for the Information=20
Age: This session was targeted at policy makers, programme=20
implementers and funders. Strategies for assessing the=20
effectiveness of ICTs were presented. Issues discussed included:=20
direct versus indirect results of ICT use; the importance of face-
to-face contacts; the enabling, but not determining, role of ICTs;=20
the need to de-mystify ICTs; and the importance of tailoring=20
development strategies to the technology and the needs of those it=20
is to serve.=20
Launching the World Bank's 1997 World Development Report: The=20
State in a Changing World: The Report's key message was=20
summarized: an "effective state" is the cornerstone of successful=20
economies, and without it, economic and social development is=20
impossible. Participants heard that: an "effective state" allows=20
markets to flourish and people to lead better lives; states' roles=20
must match their capacities; re-invigorating public institutions=20
can improve states' capacities; and markets and governments are=20
complementary as the state provides the institutional foundations=20
for markets.=20
INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAPACITY-BUILDING
Additional sessions in this track addressed: Institutional=20
Capacity-Building in the Information Age; Working with the Global=20
Investor: Financial Information and Emerging Markets; National=20
Information Infrastructure Strategies: Lessons from Several Cases;=20
Supporting National Management and Coordination of Development=20
through Internet Technology: The Ethiopia Pilot; Frontiers in=20
Information Infrastructure Project Finance; Capacity-Building in=20
Information Technology and Connectivity; RADARSAT Applications for=20
Global Sustainable Development; The Development Impact of the=20
Internet: How and Why to Measure It; Innovation, Market Formation=20
and New Strategies; Creating and Supporting New User Networks;=20
Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge and Information: Best=20
Practices; Enhancing Knowledge Sources for Innovation: Practices=20
and New Tools; Building a Generic Strategic Framework for=20
Information Technology; Community Owned Telephone Systems: An=20
Alternative Way to Serve the Unserved; Impact of Information=20
Technology on Jobs and Work: Good, Bad or Both?; Commercially=20
Sustainable Information Networks for Business in Developing=20
Countries; Building International Research Networks; Sustaining=20
Knowledge Partnerships for Development; and Information Technology=20
Networks for Promotion of Cross-Border Trade and Investment.
Building Knowledge Economies in Asia: Lessons from Experience and=20
Challenges Ahead: Discussions focused on: drawing lessons from the=20
Asian experience; forging links between industry, information and=20
society; and investing in education. Some participants underscored=20
making knowledge and ICT available and affordable, while others=20
cautioned that income and knowledge gaps could increase if these=20
changes are not made properly. Many new opportunities were=20
presented, such as the use of telecommunications for disaster and=20
emergency relief. It was also highlighted that the roles of the=20
various players need to be more clearly defined.
Learning Organizations and Knowledge Management: Participants=20
explored how private and public sector organizations create=20
contexts for continuous learning and build shared knowledge=20
resources. Discussions included: the World Bank's management of=20
its knowledge resources; the social dimension of learning and the=20
social management of knowledge; augmenting intellectual capital to=20
sustain competitive advantage; connecting NGOs to exchange=20
knowledge and experience; and networks created by African women.=20
Community Information Service Centres: Providing Affordable Access=20
to the Poor and Rural Communities: Participants heard=20
presentations on: the establishment of community information=20
networks; how Costa Rica can take advantage of the information=20
revolution; the experiences of non-profit organizations in Latin=20
America such as "Internet Peru;" and the Inter-American=20
Development Bank's Informatics 2000 initiative. Participants noted=20
that access to IT is a political issue and that the conditions=20
required to create a culture that needs IT, such as access to=20
telephones and electricity and health and education=20
infrastructures, must be addressed.
Knowledge for Development: Learning and Using Policy Lessons:=20
Participants discussed the means by which policy advice is given,=20
made credible, internalized and implemented. They also considered=20
the roles of policy providers, intermediaries and users, and noted=20
problems with the transmission, reception and credibility of=20
policy advice.
Designing Partnerships for Learning: This session considered two=20
partnerships for teaching and learning: the Korean Development=20
Institute and the Joint Vienna Institute, a regional institution=20
serving economies in transition. Participants discussed:=20
advantages of partnership-based training in comparison with more=20
traditional training models; the concern that both models=20
emphasized economic development to the exclusion of social and=20
cultural progress; and how to establish similar ventures=20
elsewhere.
IMF Surveillance in a World of Increasingly Integrated Capital=20
Markets: This session focused on the need to provide timely and=20
accurate data about domestic and international capital markets in=20
order to enhance the stability and effectiveness of the global=20
economic system. IMF representatives noted that the IMF provides a=20
number of services to achieve this, including its new website=20
which offers current data on economic growth, government debt,=20
national inflation and other key financial indicators (at=20
http://dsbb.imf.orgy.web.net/gk97.7//whatis.htm).=20
FOSTERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
In addition to those summarized below, sessions took place on: The=20
Role of Science and Technology in Small and Medium Enterprise=20
Development; Challenges and Opportunities in the Health Sector;=20
Science and Technology Advances in Agriculture; Global Climate=20
Change and Biodiversity; Global Cooperation and Knowledge=20
Dissemination; New Methods for International Collaboration in=20
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy: The IDRC-IFIAS=20
Knowledge Brokering Initiative; and Knowledge Assessment for=20
Development Planning: Preparing for Technological Change and=20
Creating a Learning Society.
Knowledge, Science and Engineering for Sustainable Development:=20
Presentations were made on: the role of academic research in=20
industrial and economic growth; global environmental issues;=20
health; and agriculture. Participants stressed the importance of=20
partnerships and suggested that science and technology, while=20
facing challenges in the next century, will be key in addressing=20
these issues. It was also noted that science and technology must=20
be combined with appropriate policies and institutions to achieve=20
sustainable development.
Environment: The Challenge of Sustainable Development:=20
Participants discussed the relationship between knowledge, the=20
economy and the environment. Some participants outlined the=20
positive aspects of the relationship between the physical=20
environment and human development, while others suggested that=20
sustainable development is an unachievable oxymoron. Others=20
stressed the importance of: the appropriate application of=20
knowledge for sustainable development; local-level implementation=20
of technology; and viewing science and technology within their=20
social and political contexts.
Scientific Knowledge: Making the Most Out of the Best:=20
Participants heard presentations on: genetic information;=20
industry; access to and dissemination of scientific knowledge; and=20
policies to foster science and technology in developing countries.=20
It was noted that research skills are not immediately created nor=20
always transferable. Others suggested that science and technology=20
practitioners have not accounted for the knowledge of ancient=20
cultures and that the possession of knowledge is not the=20
prerogative of rich societies. One participant noted that=20
developing countries have little access to existing knowledge and=20
while there may be wind-up radio, there is no wind-up computer.=20
Participants highlighted the potential of virtual universities and=20
the importance of UNESCO and the private sector in the development=20
process.
Role of Foundations in Science and Technology for Development:=20
Participants discussed foundations' experience with international=20
cooperation and schemes for mobilizing the scientific,=20
technological and policy communities to focus on development=20
problems. Presentations were made on the experiences of French,=20
British and Chilean foundations and on the work of the=20
International Science Foundation with University Internet Centres=20
in Russia. It was noted that foundations can be more flexible than=20
governments or international organizations and thus there should=20
be scope for cooperation between them.
Harnessing Information Technology for Development: Participants=20
heard presentations on: Internet-related policies in Brazil;=20
investments required for IT infrastructure development in=20
developing countries; and the challenge of education in the=20
information age. It was suggested that the Internet is the first=20
truly global telecom system. Participants noted that while there=20
is a need for a competitive environment for IT investment, there=20
may be limits to deregulation. It was also emphasized that IT=20
exists in economic, political and regulatory contexts.
Pilot Projects in Information for Development: This session=20
considered lessons learned from the 14 projects supported by the=20
World Bank's infoDev programme on harnessing IT to address=20
specific development challenges. It demonstrated the need for a=20
flexible approach which adapts to local needs. Presentations=20
showcased projects on: distance education in Africa; conference=20
support in Russia; environmental database training in Mexico; and=20
technical assistance to developing countries through WTO and ITU-
related infoDev projects.
Putting Scientific Knowledge to Use in Participatory Formulation=20
of Development Policies: Participants discussed the use of=20
computer-based tools for sustainable policy development. A=20
presentation on development policy assessment used a live computer=20
simulation of future population, energy, water and agriculture=20
management policies in Nile River basin countries. The need to=20
build bridges between the science and policy cultures was=20
stressed. Challenges for the future were identified:=20
globalization; the magnitude and rate of global change; and the=20
need to employ long-term perspectives.
KNOWLEDGE FLOWS, CIVIC DIALOGUE AND THE INFORMED CITIZEN
Working sessions not summarized below were held on: State of the=20
Art in Environment Education, Training and Communication: Lessons=20
Learned and Best Practices from Country Experiences; Electronic=20
Publishing and Access to Electronic Information; Institution-
Building for Sustainable Environment Education Programmes: Best=20
Practices and Future Challenges; Creating Informed Citizens: The=20
Role of Schools in Education for Sustainable Development; Women=20
and the Media: Case Studies from the Middle East; Innovative=20
Strategies and Methods in Environment Education and Communication:=20
Applications of Computers and Information Technologies; and=20
Measuring a Country's Capacity to Absorb and Use Information.
Mainstreaming Environment into Development Programmes: Policies=20
and Strategies for Education, Training and Communication: This=20
session focused on the importance of integrating education,=20
training and communication components into environment programmes.=20
Case studies from the Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka were=20
presented. Recommendations were made on the importance of mutual=20
learning and technology as an effective means of reaching the=20
local level.=20
Narrowing the Development Know-How Gap: How New Communication=20
Technologies Can Help Educate the Information Poor: This session=20
enabled policy makers and academics to communicate successes in=20
addressing information poverty. Panelists emphasized: the range of=20
technologies at the disposal of educators; how ICT may aid=20
distance education; the cost-effectiveness of ICT; and how to=20
assist people who are unfamiliar with ICT. Discussion raised=20
concerns over costs, access and the areas where ICT can best help=20
education.
The Informed Citizen: Setting the Agenda: Participants explored=20
the notion that the information revolution will not only enhance=20
the supply of information but will substantially alter the=20
structures in which public problems are addressed. Informed=20
citizenship entails not only providing information to citizens,=20
but also receiving information from and exchanging information=20
between citizens. Discussions of case studies considered: social=20
impacts of the information revolution; the interaction between the=20
Internet and other communication technologies; local successes=20
involving access to high technology; the representative role of=20
citizen groups; and the reluctance of politicians to cede control=20
as ICT use spreads.
Electronic Media: Reflecting Diversity: Participants heard=20
presentations on: WETV, a satellite broadcaster that acts as a=20
platform for global issues; the Canadian Heritage Information=20
Network and their work with "virtual" exhibits; the Canadian=20
Museum of Civilization's virtual museum on New France; and the=20
idea of cultural repatriation through electronic means. Some=20
participants stressed that this is an unprecedented moment in=20
history when all cultures are in contact and that cultural=20
diversity is as important as biodiversity. It was recommended that=20
ways in which new technologies can create art and new forms of=20
expression be considered.
Parliamentary Learning and International Cooperation: The Cases of=20
South Africa and Cambodia: Panelists: highlighted the intensive=20
information demands of parliaments and the development of inter-
parliamentary cooperation programmes; described the Canadian=20
Virtual Conference System pilot project which uses computer-based=20
conferencing to enhance legislative development and training=20
programmes in South Africa; and outlined efforts in Cambodia to=20
rebuild information infrastructure by strengthening the National=20
Assembly Secretariat, developing research and information services=20
and training parliamentary staff to access, process and manage=20
information. One participant outlined efforts to foster democratic=20
governance by creating a network for dialogue about African issues=20
among African leaders.
DISTANCE EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING
Additional sessions not outlined below discussed: Restructuring=20
National Education Systems Using ICTs; Internet-Based Learning:=20
Practical Examples from the Classroom; Technology-Supported=20
Distance and Open Education for Development in the Information=20
Age: The Role of Open Universities; Use of Technology to Improve=20
the Quality of Instruction in the Classroom; Distance Education=20
for Economic Development; Distance Education in Francophone=20
Africa; Collaborative On-line Learning Environments; and The=20
Opportunities and Challenges of On-line Higher Education.
Colloquium on Distance Education for Teacher Development:=20
Participants shared experiences on the challenges facing teacher=20
development and how distance education solutions can address them.=20
Examples of innovative approaches in Senegal and India were=20
presented. An e-mail discussion group preparing for the colloquium=20
identified difficulties, including educating policy makers about=20
the benefits of distance education and linking distance education=20
to social development and community concerns. Themes and questions=20
included: how technology provides opportunities for distance=20
education; how to manage distance education on a large scale while=20
adapting it to different local systems; and curriculum issues.=20
Panelists presented case studies of distance teacher education in=20
Israel, Mexico and the UK. Participants: asked about fallback=20
plans when technology fails; discussed the advantages of using=20
video-conferencing, radio, tutors and print to train teachers; and=20
raised concerns regarding the costs of new technologies for=20
distance education. Participants also raised questions regarding:=20
quality assessment and the criteria by which to measure it;=20
equity; and the outreach potential of distance education.
Classrooms Without Borders: Internet and Education: Participants=20
discussed how to improve educational outcomes and global=20
understanding through Internet-based distance learning activities.=20
Four programmes were presented, including the World Bank's "World=20
Links for Development," which links students and teachers in=20
developing countries with peers in industrialized countries for=20
collaborative research, teaching and learning via the Internet.=20
Discussions highlighted the importance of: content over=20
technology; self-learning and student-centred interactive=20
learning; partnerships to facilitate Internet access; training=20
teachers to integrate Internet into the classroom; and developing=20
tools to assess the value of Internet use on the quality of=20
education.
PARTNERSHIPS
Working sessions in this track not summarized below included:=20
Regional Partnerships for Training: Lessons from the Mediterranean=20
Development Forum; Pan-Asia Networking: Connecting the Asian=20
Voices; Building Better Communities Through Better Understanding=20
of Human Learning; Training Partnerships for Telecommunications in=20
the Developing World; Innovative Approaches to Development=20
Partnering; and Extending the Reach: The GK97 Virtual Conferences.
Knowledge for Development: A Consultation: The World Bank sought=20
feedback on a draft outline of its 1998 World Development Report,=20
which focuses on Information and Knowledge for Development. The=20
draft outlines the emerging economic information environment and=20
considers its significance for developing countries. Participants=20
suggested that: education be more strongly emphasized; the=20
politics of information be considered more fully; and market=20
failures and government roles be examined in greater detail.
Partnerships for Designing and Delivering Web-based Training:=20
Participants heard presentations on: the Morozov Project, a=20
regional network for electronic distance learning in Russia; the=20
African research consortium project on distance education in=20
economics; Project Aya, a partnership between universities in=20
Indonesia and Canada that provides an Internet-based English=20
Technical Writing instruction course; and a website, based on=20
collaboration between Moscow State University and the World Bank,=20
for interactive distance learning in Russia. It was noted that=20
these pilot projects should also use formats such as CD-Rom and=20
print.
Building New Partnerships for Policies and Action in the=20
Information Society: Panelists assessed the impact of information=20
policies on social development and emphasized the contribution=20
that partnerships can make. Impediments to development were=20
identified: censorship; inadequate infrastructure; the fragility=20
of developing societies and the need for social cohesion; and=20
existing inequalities. Discussion highlighted that civil society=20
must not wait to be consulted but must lose no time in forming=20
partnerships to seize the agenda for the information age.=20
Continuing Conversations: Linking Toronto to other International=20
Dialogues: Discussion covered recent international dialogues on=20
knowledge and technology for development. Panelists introduced=20
projects, conducted by organizations such as the South African=20
National Information Technology Forum and the Society for=20
International Development, which held forums and conferences in=20
South Africa, Spain, Morocco and elsewhere. Discussion explored:=20
the importance of focusing on the quality of education; local- and=20
global-level networks; empowering people, particularly women, with=20
knowledge; and balancing virtual and face-to-face dialogues.=20
Spinning the Web: Linking the Voices of the South to a Global=20
Sustainable Development Gateway: The International Institute for=20
Sustainable Development (IISD) brought together its regional and=20
international partners to present their work on building a new=20
gateway to sustainable development information on the Internet.=20
Challenges facing organizations in developing countries in=20
delivering their information electronically, as well as solutions=20
to issues of telecommunications access, reliability and costs,=20
were addressed. Discussion centreed on CD-Rom production, low-end=20
e-mail networks and diskette products. IISD explained how the=20
diverse research and experience of these organizations are being=20
brought to international attention at http://sdgateway.iisd.ca/.=20gk97.7//whatis.htm
No Real Change Without Women: Networking for Development:=20
Participants provided examples of: community access strategies; a=20
partnership of women in academia, business and policy who=20
formulated a women's declaration at APEC; and a workshop parallel=20
to the World Food Summit where women strategized to develop a more=20
people-centred notion of security. Participants stressed the need=20
to: create models for partnerships for the underprivileged; use=20
technology to package, convey and share the valuable knowledge=20
that women possess; focus more on people and less on technology;=20
use information to assist those disempowered by the consequences=20
of the information age; use distance learning to increase girls'=20
education; and question the underlying assumption that access to=20
knowledge will eliminate poverty. Participants were reminded that=20
women are employing numerous strategies to foster their=20
development without the Internet.
Sustainable Developments is a publication of the=20
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)=20
, publishers of the Earth Negotiations=20
Bulletin (c). This issue is written and edited by Jonathan=20
Krueger , Kira Schmidt=20
, Silke Speier and=20
Greg Terrill . Digital=20
Wizardry by Rod Araneda . The Managing=20
Editor of Sustainable Developments is Langston James "Kimo"=20
Goree VI . Funding for coverage of this=20
meeting has been provided by The World Bank. The authors=20
can be contacted at their electronic mail addresses and at=20
tel: +1-212-644-0204 and by fax: +1-212-644-0206. IISD can=20
be contacted at 161 Portage Avenue East, 6th Floor,=20
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0Y4, Canada; tel: +1-204-958-7700;=20
fax: +1-204-958-7710. The opinions expressed in the=20
Sustainable Developments are those of the authors and do=20
not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and other=20
funders. Excerpts from Sustainable Developments may be=20
used in other publications with appropriate academic=20
citation. Electronic versions of Sustainable Developments=20
are sent to e-mail distribution lists (ASCII and PDF=20
format) and can be found on the Linkages WWW-server at=20
<http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/0gk97.7//whatis.htm>. For further information on=20
Sustainable Developments, including requests to provide=20
reporting services, contact the Managing Editor at=20
kimo@iisd.org
The Sustainable Developments may not be reproduced,=20
reprinted or posted to any system without specific=20
permission from the International Institute for Sustainable=20
Development. This limitation includes distribution via=20
Usenet News, bulletin board systems, mailing lists, print=20
media and broadcast. For more information, send a message=20
to the Managing Editor at http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/0gk97.7//whatis.htm
I had the opportunity to attend the GKD97 Conference. It was a rather
overwhelming experience both in its size and in the diversity of subjects
being addressed.
Once accustomed somewhat to the rush of people and opportunities however,
the conference became more accessible--the faces of old friends and the
formulations of global issues, both emerging somewhat out of the swirl.
I came away with three separate but interlinked frames in my mind as
organizing categories for the events and the ideas of the Conference and
for the activities and formulations which will be the follow- up.
The first of these frames--"the global in the local/the local in the
global" were represented substantively in the glare and opulence of the
"official" GKD97 (Global Knowledge) conference at the Sheraton Centre and
in the ad hoc attempt at "street cred" of the LK97 (Local Knowledge)
"counter"conference up the way at the University of Toronto. The first
was as self-conscious in its self-presentation as a global conference
(Annan, Wolfensohn, Chretien (who didn't show)) as was LK97 in its self-
presentation as the counter-conference complete with street theatre and a
vegan lunch.
But the issues of the "global/local" were more significant than the
stylistics of events and their "others"-- there was the matter of those
who were concerned with discussing global trends and global investments,
broad historical sweeps and the reconciliation of national with
continental with global policy and practice. On the other hand were those
who were insisting on the "local"--the experience of the immediate and the
situated--in economic circumstance, in gender, in language/culture. It
was clear (to me at least) that the two were of a piece--the local and the
global--one being senseless without the other, and this being true both
for the GKD and the LK conferences (and practices) of the world.
The second of these frames--the corporate and the "social strategic" were
themselves represented by Jean Monty, the President of Nortel (Northern
Telecom) and Jay Naidoo, Minister of Post and Telecommunications of South
Africa. While Monty talked of the boundless opportunities for technical
(and corporate advance) in a de-regulated, seamlessly internetworked world
telecommunications environment, Naidoo talked of the need to maintain a
"social strategy" as a guide to the manner in which the industry would be
"allowed" to develop--in South Africa's case to ensure that the
opportunities of communications access and investment return would be
directed in part to those (in South Africa) who were historically
disadvantaged.
Clearly there was something of a "struggle" going on at the Conference and
one presumes in the larger global forums which the Conference only
showcased, for the "hearts and minds" of regulators and politicians,
investors and electors between the two positions. Nevertheless, while one
could see the proponents for Monty and Naidoo staking out opposing
positions--in the real world the two are as interwoven and symbiotic as
the local and the global.
No one, certainly not Naidoo, I would think, would argue for a completely
"social strategically" directed ICT sector; nor I expect would Monty want
to be understood to be taking the position for complete deregulation in
all circumstances. Monty after all is a Canadian and recognizes as well
as anyone I'm sure, the degree to which Nortel and Canada's various social
and economic communities have directly benefitted from "regulated
competition" which has been Canada's contribution to the theory of the
telecom markets.
The third frame which underlay much of the discussions during the
conference was that of "high tech" versus "appropriate tech". In this,
the "sides" were anything but clear...interestingly though, it appeared
that the Internet was being presented as "high tech" presumably because of
the need for some sort of connectivity to the network and the computer
base, while the appropriate technology discussions seemed to focus on
radio and video as means for information distribution.
What seemed to be missing from this discussion was the recognition that
all of these media have applications which are supportive of the broad
range of both corporate and "social strategic" objectives and that even in
the case of the higher tech applications the cost of effective access was
plummeting with competition and technology advance (satellite and cellular
distribution for example). There was clearly a need to focus more on the
outcomes desired than on the media modalities available
A likely immediate consequence of GKD97 is to firmly and directly place
telecommunications and particularly Internet communications on the
development agenda both for the World Bank and for the Canadian
International Development Agency (and likely for the other development
agencies as well), where up to this point the technology had been seen as
at best peripheral and enabling at the margin. From now on it appears
that telecom will be presented as having a role as part of the
"infrastructure" of development alongside the provision of electricity and
transportation access.
While this development may prove to be a bonanza for certain strategically
located consulting and technology firms it is less evident that it will be
of much immediate benefit to the proposed beneficiaries. The problem is
that telecom in general and the Internet in particular, especially in very
recent times does not fit very well into the lengthy contracting processes
and elaborate management administrative structuring of typical aid agency
(and World Bank) infrastructure programs.
The technology is moving extremely quickly and even the
infrastructure/delivery options available are in very considerable flux
and it would be highly risky even speculative at this point to put the
kind of investment normally assigned to infrastructure into one or another
of the available (and contending) delivery options. In any case, the
donors are unlikely to be able to move into this area with anything like
the speed of the private sector provision of access delivery (nor should
they...).
Rather what is needed from the donors is precisely what they have
difficulty in providing ie. highly flexible seed funding for a variety of
alternative delivery strategies, for content development and for the
development of content delivery mechanisms; and particularly for a very
large number of very small initiatives to allow those on the ground
"locally" to begin to participate in the increasingly "globalized"
structures of opportunity (for education/training, for health information,
for political participation, for economic development/entrepreneurship)
which are emerging.
I'm pleased to be able to report that there was considerable knowledge at
Global Knowledge 97. What made the conference more interesting than
illuminating though, was the absence of much global data at one end and
of global wisdom at the other...but that is what we are working toward
and remains to be reported to the next conference/s...
Mike Gurstein
Michael Gurstein, Ph.D.
ECBC/NSERC/SSHRC Assoc. Chair in the Management of Technological Change
Associate Professor Organizational Management
and
Director: Centre for Community and Enterprise Networking
University College of Cape Breton
PO Box 5300
Sydney, NS, CANADA B1P 6L2
Tel. 902-562-1055 (h)
902-563-1369 (o)
902-562-0119 (fax)
Email Mgurst@ccen.uccb.ns.ca
WWW Http://ccen.uccb.ns.ca