Closing the digital divide: what the United Nations can do.

The World Summit on the Information Society is an excellent venue to translate the following ideas into practical reality.

Basic needs. The United Nations must continue its efforts to provide developing nations with immunizations, health care, clean water, food, sanitation and other basic needs. While technology can be a boost to their economies, it does little if basic needs are not met.

Infrastructure. Technology infrastructure must be built for developing nations. New Internet technology can leapfrog generations of old ones. For example, wireless technology can provide access without phone lines or cable--a pilot in the medieval town of Zamora, Spain connected 68,000 users at half the cost of dial-up access and many times its speed. Developing nations also need personal computers (PCs). Creative ideas include providing corporations with a tax break for donating older PCs; an estimated 70 per cent of these PCs still in working condition go to United States landfills. These computers can connect developing nations to the digital world. Once hardware, software and wireless technology are in place, job growth and training may begin to support the infrastructure.

Public/private partnerships. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan wrote an article in 2002 challenging Silicon Valley to do more by unleashing its creative energies on the digital divide. The United Nations is in a unique position to harness existing energy in the private sector and in governmental and non-governmental organizations. Defining clear goals, roles, resources and a process for working together will be paramount to success when bringing these different organizational cultures together.

Influence Internet governance. The United Nations, by virtue of its global representation, is a body that can positively shape the future of the Internet. Diplomats are encouraged to become informed about governance and proactively gain seats on decision-making boards--this way, they can shape such issues as domain name ownership, taxation and global Internet commerce.

Security. Cyber-terrorism and information security are real threats to the world, and the United Nations can take steps to ensure that systems are secure. The potential impact of cyber-terrorism to water supplies, electrical grids, air traffic control and nuclear facilities could be more devastating. Continually securing the systems and tracking down and punishing offenders are all critical steps Few international laws exist to match the severity of crimes committed. An excellent book on security titled "Information Insecurity", by Ed Gelbstein and Ahmad Kamal, is a valuable resource for all at the United Nations.

Improve diplomacy. The challenge exists for world leaders to better utilize technology, thus improving the way they conduct diplomatic work. Technology may assist in researching issues, posting information, working and sharing data real-time, conducting negotiations and working virtually with all organizations on common global issues.

Training diplomats. A series of workshops to educate diplomats about computers, the Internet, governance, security and cyber-terrorism was launched at the United Nations. Such training is vital and has been an effective public-private partnership between Intel Corporation and the UN Information and Communication Technology Task Force, which is making strides to close the digital divide. Training should be increased, including learning modules that would make it available to leaders worldwide.

Power of technology for developing nations. The ever-increasing power of technology translates into new opportunities for applications, including agricultural development, water supply stabilization and the growth of entrepreneurial small businesses participating in the global economy. We must challenge technology experts to find creative ways to harness the new powers of the PC to solve the basic needs of developing nations.

Cross-cultural understanding. Technology can connect people from various corners of the world, helping them to share and celebrate differences, create mutual understanding and head off perceptual differences that might lead to conflict. Renowned photographer Phil Borges created a programme called "Bridges to Understanding", which connects remote indigenous children with inner-city school children in the United States. They share their lives by exchanging photos and artwork. American musician and producer Quincy Jones began his "Listen Up" Foundation to encourage sharing of music between inner-city students in Los Angeles and in South Africa. Such efforts should be encouraged to gain a better understanding of each other. Technology may indeed be a tool to help make the world a better place.

Michael Fors has been a Fellow at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) for four years and is a Senior Human Resources Manager at Intel Corporation, where he has worked for 13 years. He has sponsored and taught at a number of sessions on information technology at the United Nations.