ADF Discussion List - Summary of discussion on Democratising Access to the Information Society

The discussion on Democratising Access to the Information Society began with a summary of the theme paper on the topic which will be presented at the ADF '99 in Addis Ababa in 24-28 October 1999. The theme paper noted the determining nature of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the lives of African people. It stressed the need for information and communication in African society and the possibility of application of ICTs therein. Current applications and experimental programmes concerning the use of ICTs in the continent were noted. The paper questioned whether the new ICTs can empower people, unlike earlier information and communication media, due to their interactive nature. Effective ways of extending access to ICTs were also raised. The summary requested discussants to contribute examples of efforts underway in these regards and of communication between communities with similar problems. The paper's author stated that ICTs may be able to narrow the gap between the rich and poor in Africa or widen it. Discussants were asked to focus their contributions on strategies that would narrow the gap.

There was a posting in the list from Environmental Rights Action (eraction@infoweb.abs.net) field report on a leaking oil pipeline in Delta State, Nigeria. It showed how Environmental Rights Action used its electronic newsletter to inform the public and authorities of the negative consequences on communities living around the area where the oil pipeline was leaking. This effort could be considered an application of ICTs to promote/safeguard the interests of communities.

A posting from Uganda suggested that list subscribers ask schools in Uganda with Internet access to share their experience in the use of ICTs.

Another participant noted that the issue of the continent taking advantage of ICTs is probably the single issue regarding ICTs upon which there is universal agreement in Africa at the moment. It was suggested that there was a need to formulate ICT agendas specific to the African situation.

One contribution reported the existence of work on the use of Internet for teaching subjects in African schools and links to such efforts in South Africa.

Generally, the discussion was dominated by postings which focused on the use of ICTs by different sectors of African society. However, as contributors did not relate their postings to the topic under discussion, the list was negatively affected. This led to postings by a number of discussants for a request to return to the topics under discussion.

Assefa Bahta

Research Intern at the UNECA from the School of Information Studies for Africa (SISA), Addis Ababa University