think we will have to agree to differ on the
interpretation, though not the role of telecentres!
Sent: 12 October 2004 15:48
To: Hannah Beardon
Subject: RE: [Telecentres] WSIS ignorance!
Hmmm... my reading of the paragraph is definitely
different to yours.
My interpretation of it is - The vast majority of the
world is ignorant of the "unfolding phenomenon" of the "digital
revolution" and the gap between those who are ignorant of it and those who
have knowledge of it is increasing. Knowledge and use of the digital
opportunity is directly linked to wealth creation and development goals. Thus,
continued ignorance of the digital opportunity among the poor will increase the
gap between rich and poor.
Reading it, it never crossed my mind that WSIS meant that only
technology and internet knowledge is valuable. From the main principles of the
WSIS, the point is to get everyone the opportunity to hook into the networks and
thus be able to share information and knowledge, whether it be from North,
South, East, West, wherever! So - IMO they don't need to change their
website.
Also, isn't the point of the Telecentres WG to do
exactly what you suggest? i.e. promoting telecentres as models of two-way
information exchange, documentation of local knowledge etc. in supporting the World Summit on the Information Society and the UN
Millennium Development Goals.
My $0.02. It is interesting to see how different ppl interpret
the same letters arranged in the same way very differently!
Jacqueline
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Hannah Beardon
Sent: Monday, 11 October 2004 09:21
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [Telecentres] WSIS ignorance!
Can I just quote from the WSIS
website:
"Paradoxically, while the digital revolution
has extended the frontiers of the global village, the vast majority of the world
remains unhooked from this unfolding phenomenon. With the ever-widening gulf
between knowledge and ignorance, the development gap between the rich and the
poor among and within countries has also increased."
Does this mean that
the WSIS see those who are digitally excluded as 'ignorant' as if there is no
vaulable knowledge that does not exist on the Internet and the information flow
needs only to be one way - that is for those poor ignorant people to receive our
welath of knowledge?
If this is so,
surely we need to be promoting telecentres as models of two-way information
exchange, documentation of local knowledge etc. In my experience this is
of equal if not more imoprtance to people in remote communities as receiveing
the information that is out there on the net.
If this is not so,
then we need totell them to change their website.
hannah
beardon
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