A service of the Benton Foundation (http://www.benton.org)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DIGITAL DIVIDE
Kofi Annan Addresses Digital Divide Conference
Chairman of India Software Giant Discusses Digital Divide
Course: E-Government and ICT Strategic Planning and Implementation
21ST CENTURY SKILLS
Technology Key to Redesigning Higher Education
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
Humor: What Do You Think?
DIGITAL DIVIDE
KOFI ANNAN ADDRESSES DIGITAL DIVIDE CONFERENCE
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan addressed business leaders
yesterday at a conference on the role of industry in bridging the global
digital divide. "A digital divide threatens to exacerbate already-wide gaps
between rich and poor, within and among countries," he told conference
attendees. "The stakes are high indeed." Annan noted that this December's
World Summit on the Information Society was a "unique opportunity" for the
IT sector to work with policymakers and civil society to address the digital
divide. While noting the contribution of US corporations like Cisco Systems
and HP to bridge the divide, Annan said that the US tech sector as a whole
most do more, especially in terms of supporting initiatives beyond America's
borders. "I hope the industry will broaden its horizon and bring more of its
remarkable dynamism and innovation to the developing world," he said. The
conference, The Net World Order: Bridging the Global Digital Divide, was
hosted by the Business Council of the United Nations with support from the
Benton Foundation and others.
SOURCE: United Nations
http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=394
CHAIRMAN OF INDIA SOFTWARE GIANT DISCUSSES DIGITAL DIVIDE
N. R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder and chairman of India IT giant Infosys,
gave the keynote address at the Net World Order digital divide conference on
Wednesday. He said that developing country governments should act as
catalysts, rather than controlling agencies, to facilitate development and
should invest in education and e-governance. Infosys, which began as a
company with about half a dozen employees, went on to compete with
multinational corporations and create 15,000 jobs. But jobs were not
Infosys's biggest contribution to India: "The most important thing is that
we have raised the hopes of millions of people, exemplifying that if others
try, they too can do it," Murthy said. Asked if the Indian model of
developing talented software engineers could be replicated, Murthy
responded, "To me the difference between a developing and a developed
country is only a question of mindset." He suggested that the World Bank
earmark funds to train bureaucrats and politicians to develop a modern
approach and attitude.
SOURCE: Rediff.com; AUTHOR: Suman Guha Mozumder
http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/jun/19bpo.htm
COURSE: E-GOVERNMENT AND ICT STRATEGIC PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
The Institute for Public-Private Partnerships (IP3) is conducting a
three-week course to help governments, donors, consultants and other
stakeholders better plan, develop, implement and monitor e-government
initiatives. The course includes topics such as e-readiness assessment,
models for public private partnerships, best practices in using information
communication technology (ICT) for sustainable development, and action
planning. Participants will visit successful e-government and ICT programs
in the Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD areas. The course is being held now
through July 4.
SOURCE: IP3
http://www.ip3.org/t_workshops_1311.htm
21ST CENTURY SKILLS
TECHNOLOGY KEY TO REDESIGNING HIGHER EDUCATION
The Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) is urging the creation of a
presidential commission to redesign postsecondary education to better
prepare students for 21st-century careers. In its report, BHEF identifies
five changes needed to fulfill the shortage of skilled workers in an
increasingly knowledge-based economy and emphasizes the importance of
technology in education redesign. The recommendations include instilling
lifelong learning skills, creating challenging and motivating content,
increasing access to education and adapting learning objectives to
job-related skills. The report is timely, as Congress is now crafting the
reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. BHEF's report, entitled
"Building a Nation of Learners," is one of many policy papers under
consideration by the US Department of Education. "The real call here is for
higher education institutions to change themselves," said John Bailey,
director of education technology for the department.
SOURCE: eSchool News Online; AUTHOR: Cara Branigan
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=4468
View the report:
http://www.acenet.edu/bookstore/pdf/2003_build_nation.pdf
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
HUMOR: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
It was only a matter of time before The Onion weighed in on the media
ownership debate. The Onion, perhaps the most famous news parody magazine on
the Net, pokes fun at the debate in its "What Do You Think?" column -- a
collection of "opinions" by everyday Americans. "Well, if this is such a big
problem, why aren't we hearing more about it on the news?" opines mechanic
Mitch Ahearn. "I'd be greatly worried, were it not for Clear Channel's
proven track record as a passionate and responsible guardian of the values
of the Fourth Estate," retorts homemaker Karen Syms. And investment banker
Richard Powers gets in the last word on the subject: "Shhh. TV's on." On a
more serious note, the Senate Commerce Committee is expected to vote today
on a proposal to undue the FCC's June 2 vote to roll back the
cross-ownership rules.
SOURCE: The Onion
http://www.theonion.com/onion3923/wdyt_3923.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------