Bdt: Templates

THE STUDY GROUPS OF THE ITU-D

The ITU-D Study Groups were set up in accordance with Resolution 2 of World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1994. For the period 1998-2002, Study Group 1 is entrusted with the study of eleven Questions in the field of telecommunication development strategies and policies. Study Group 2 is entrusted with the study of seven Questions in the field of development and management of telecommunication services and networks. For this period, in order to respond as quickly as possible to the concerns of developing countries, instead of being approved during the WTDC, the output of each Question is published as and when it is ready.

For further information Please contact: Ms. Fidélia AKPO Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) ITU Place des Nations CH-1211 GENEVA 20 Switzerland Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] Placing orders for ITU publications Please note that orders cannot be taken over the telephone. They should be sent by fax or e-mail. ITU Sales Service Place des Nations CH-1211 GENEVA 20 Switzerland Telephone: [phone] English Telephone: [phone] French Telephone: [phone] Spanish Fax: [phone] Telex: 421 000 uit ch Telegram: ITU GENEVE E-mail: [e-mail] The Electronic Bookshop of ITU: www.itu.int/publications

 ITU 2001

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without written permission from ITU.

Final Report

Table of Contents

Page

1 Introduction 1

2 INTERNET Applications focused on development needs 2

2.1 Education and learning 2

2.1.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries 3

2.1.1.1 Primary and secondary education 3

2.1.1.2 Higher education and virtual universities 6

2.1.1.3 Non-formal education 9

2.1.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future 10

2.2 Health 12

2.2.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries 13

2.2.1.1 Information stores 13

2.2.1.2 Networking and information sharing 14

2.2.1.3 Telemedicine 15

2.2.1.4 Telehealth 16

2.2.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future 16

2.2.2.1 Access 17

2.2.2.2 Local content 17

2.2.2.3 Sustainability 18

2.3 Information services, libraries and archives 18

2.3.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries 20

2.3.1.1 Public libraries 20

2.3.1.2 National libraries and networks 21

2.3.1.3 On-line publications 23

2.3.1.4 Archives 23

2.3.1.5 World wide projects and programmes 24

2.3.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future 26

2.4 Governance 27

2.4.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries 27

2.4.1.1 Access to government information 28

2.4.1.2 Provision of on-line services 29

2.4.1.3 On-line participation 29

2.4.1.4 Government management 30

2.4.1.5 Community access 31

2.4.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future 32

2.5 Agriculture and rural development 33

2.5.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries 34

2.5.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future 37

2.6 Environment and disaster management 37

2.6.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries 38

2.6.1.1 Environmental education and training 38

2.6.1.2 Electronic discussion groups and virtual forums 39

2.6.1.3 Databases and information dissemination 40

2.6.1.4 Global and regional observation systems 41

2.6.1.5 Disaster alert and mitigation 43

2.6.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future 43

Page

2.7 Culture 44

2.7.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries 45

2.7.1.1 Preservation of material cultural heritage 45

2.7.1.2 Virtual museums 46

2.7.1.3 Creativity and cultural content on the WWW 48

2.7.1.4 Cultural research and policies 50

2.7.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future 50

2.8 The mass media 51

2.8.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries 51

2.8.1.1 The press 53

2.8.1.2 Radio 54

2.8.1.3 Television 55

2.8.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future 56

2.9 Scientific research 57

2.9.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries 57

2.9.1.1 Networking and electronic information 58

2.9.1.2 Virtual laboratories 58

2.9.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future 59

3 Local content and empowerment 60

3.1 Production of local content 62

3.2 Indigenous knowledge and expression 63

3.3 Multilingualism 65

3.4 User empowerment and co-operation 68

3.5 National policies and public incentives 70

4 Conclusions 74

4.1 Economic obstacles 74

4.2 Creation of and access to content and applications 75

4.3 The Internet in development 75
FOREWORD

Report on Question 13/1

The second World Telecommunication Development Conference, held in Valletta, Malta, March-April 1998, approved, inter alia, the study of several Questions for Study Group 1, dealing with regulatory, political and financial matters.

Question 13/1, entitled “Promotion of infrastructure and use of the Internet in developing countries”, was first studied by a Focus Group chaired by Mr Dietmar Plesse from Germany.

Public Service Applications of the Internet in Developing countries is the first part of the output of the Focus Group, as adopted by the Study Group 1 in September 2000.

The remaining parts of the report dealing with telecommunication infrastructure, interconnection and human resource development are now under study by the Rapporteur’s group which takes over from the Focus Group as decided by the Study Group 1 meeting in September 2000. The result of their study will be published separately.

The chapters contained in this publication were prepared by UNESCO within its intergovernmental Information for All Programme which provides a framework for international co-operation to build a just and free information society and to narrow the gap between the information rich and the information poor. UNESCO’s research for this study, undertaken within its long-standing close collaboration with the ITU, was carried out by a team of consultants composed of Ms Joan-Claire Mappus, Mr Jack Skillen, Ms Rachelle Tayag and Ms Anushka Thewarapperuma.

The Telecommunication Development Bureau thanks UNESCO and all Member States and Sector Members who contributed to this publication.

Hamadoun I. Touré
Director
Telecommunication Development Bureau
International Telecommunication Union