According to a BBC story, Global digital divide ‘narrowing’, the World Bank is reporting that the developing world is catching up in usage and access to tehnologies. The World Bank doesn’t feel we need a World Summit on the Information Society. WSIS is going on anyway. WSIS has two summits, Geneva 2003 and Tunis 2005. Check out their WSIS: Declaration of Principles; Building the Information Society: a global challenge in the new Millennium. This presents a vision of the importance of the Information Society connected to freedom of expression (and opinion) and human rights.
WSIS was endorsed by the UN General Assembly (Resolution 56/183)
Some quotes:
9. We are aware that ICTs should be regarded as tools and not as an end in themselves. Under favourable conditions, these technologies can be a powerful instrument, increasing productivity, generating economic growth, job creation and employability and improving the quality of life of all. They can also promote dialogue among people, nations and civilizations.
26. A rich public domain is an essential element for the growth of the Information Society, creating multiple benefits such as an educated public, new jobs, innovation, business opportunities, and the advancement of sciences. Information in the public domain should be easily accessible to support the Information Society, and protected from misappropriation. Public institutions such as libraries and archives, museums, cultural collections and other community-based access points should be strengthened so as to promote the preservation of documentary records and free and equitable access to information.
52. Cultural diversity is the common heritage of humankind. The Information Society should be founded on and stimulate respect for cultural identity, cultural and linguistic diversity, traditions and religions, and foster dialogue among cultures and civilizations. The promotion, affirmation and preservation of diverse cultural identities and languages as reflected in relevant agreed United Nations documents including UNESCO’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, will further enrich the Information Society.
53. The creation, dissemination and preservation of content in diverse languages and formats must be accorded high priority in building an inclusive Information Society, paying particular attention to the diversity of supply of creative work and due recognition of the rights of authors and artists. It is essential to promote the production of and accessibility to all contentóeducational, scientific, cultural or recreationalóin diverse languages and formats. The development of local content suited to domestic or regional needs will encourage social and economic development and will stimulate participation of all stakeholders, including people living in rural, remote and marginal areas.
54. The preservation of cultural heritage is a crucial component of identity and selfñunderstanding of individuals that links a community to its past. The Information Society should harness and preserve cultural heritage for the future by all appropriate methods, including digitisation. (Document WSIS-03/GENEVA/DOC/4-E, Dec. 12, 2003)