The internet remains a mystery to most people: UNconventional: a point of view.

The sustainable development of efficient and accessible postal services plays an important role in helping to bridge the digital and information divide that currently exists worldwide. With 161 of its 189 members considered by the United Nations as developing countries, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) is committed to helping these countries modernize their postal systems, thereby increasing their participation in the knowledge society and their chances of fully benefiting from it.

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, the UPU plays a leadership role in promoting the continued revitalization of postal services Developing social, cultural and commercial communication between people through the efficient operation of the postal service is at the heart of its mission. The UPU views the prospects of the new Information Society with enthusiasm, convinced that Posts play an important role in breaking the communication barriers between people in both the physical and electronic worlds. Furthermore, bound by an obligation to provide universal postal service at affordable prices, Posts facilitate the access to the society of knowledge in those places where others cannot.

When the Internet revolution took root in the early 1990s, many detractors predicted the demise of the postal service. E-mail and the Internet, it was felt, would replace traditional paper-based communication and quickly render Posts irrelevant. This narrow vision failed to take into account the possibilities that the new Information Society would offer to Posts, as well as their contribution to its development.

In its 2,000-year-old history, the postal service has reinvented itself time and time again to respond to economic and social changes and meet the needs of customers. And it is doing it again. Since the mid-1990s, Posts around the world have harnessed the power of the Internet to develop innovative services that are at the forefront of the anticipated communication needs of customers. These include electronic stamps, electronic bill presentation and payment services, secure e-mail and trusted third-party certification.

Postal entities have a long experience of developing or taking advantage of new technologies to improve, even expand, existing services, as well as to strengthen the distribution networks they manage day to day. Bar codes, track-and-trace technology, delivery performance monitoring systems and hybrid mail (converting electronic files into printable matter) are but a few examples.

The challenge is to effectively merge the possibilities of cyberspace with their physical distribution capabilities.

For all the speed and convenience they offer, the information and communication technologies are by no means without challenges. For businesses and Governments making a foray into cyberspace, ensuring access, trust and security, privacy and the effective distribution of goods have quickly become key issues. Posts are uniquely positioned to meet each one of these demands.

While the Internet has become a widely used tool, it remains a mystery to a majority of the population. Statistics show that there are more than 500 million Internet users worldwide, 80 per cent of whom are in the developed world. Two out of five persons in the developed world have access to the Internet, compared to one in fifty in the developing world. The network of close to 700,000 postal outlets that exists worldwide provides a natural opportunity for helping more people access the Internet, as well as other communication technologies. Some postal administrations are already facilitating this by drawing customers to Internet kiosks in their outlets and partnering with other communications firms to offer convenient products and services. Such is the case in Bhutan, where citizens are offered a free, unique e-post address they can use to send e-mails from any post office. They can also send e-post messages, which are printed at the destination post office for local delivery. Other postal administrations have also given citizens the possibility of obtaining their own personal e-mail through their post offices. Finally, Posts are often seen as attractive partners in the provision of e-government services because of their reach and the trust they have established with their customers.

As traffic on the information highway becomes heavier, people expect to deal with a trusted party who will protect the sanctity of their messages and their right to privacy. For years, the postal service and its employees have been trusted to securely and confidentially deliver information to all corners of the world. In fulfilling their obligation to provide universal postal service, Posts have a reputation as neutral third parties. Regulations on employees' conduct and legal guarantees enhance customer confidence and trust. Posts will continue to honour that role through innovative and secure services and products. The electronic postmarks they used, for example, protect the integrity of electronic data through the use of auditable time stamps, digital signatures and hash codes.

These postmarks allow third parties to verify the authenticity of electronic content and provide evidence to support non-repudiation of electronic transactions. In support of this initiative, the UPU Postal Technology Centre has developed a global standard for electronic postmarks, with the assistance of postal administrations and in cooperation with major software manufacturers.

In accordance with the "consumer choice" policies they have adopted for direct or advertising mail delivered physically, some postal administrations propose to electronically deliver such mail only to those customers who specifically request targeted information This practice, supported by state-of-the-art security features and a guarantee that distribution lists will not be shared with other parties, reduces the amount of unsolicited messages a consumer might receive otherwise in an information age where privacy can quickly be compromised.

E-commerce offers an unprecedented level of convenience. But beyond an attractive retail web site and secure online transactions, businesses must be able to rely on a delivery infrastructure that is efficient, dependable and fast. Posts offer an extensive network of processing and delivery facilities to meet that need, and international mail agreements mean that packages and documents can be delivered to any destination in the world using a range of cost-effective products.

The UPU recognizes that its strength and that of its members come from a collaborative and shared approach. It watches closely its members' progress in developing or adapting to information and communication technologies, and looks at how notions can be transferred to other countries for the benefit of their domestic and international customers. Progress, knowledge and expertise are shared regularly with all members through various forums, including the Universal Postal Congress, which will next be held in Bucharest in September 2004.

Given the timeframe for the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society, with phases taking place before and after the UPU Congress, the Universal Postal Union is confident that it can contribute positively to the main themes of the Summit by providing access to information and communication technologies for all, using them as a tool for economic and social development, and increasing confidence and security in their use.

As the most extensive means of communication available to people, the post has always served as an important learning centre--a place where people can confidently go to find the most effective ways of connecting with loved ones, business, Government and others. In this sense, the postal service can play an active and important role in the Information Society by facilitating access to knowledge and communication technologies and furthering their appreciation.

Thomas E. Leavey has been Director General of the UPU since 1995, following a successful and distinguished career in the United States Postal Service beginning in 1970.

As Director General, he is responsible for providing leadership in responding to the significant challenges the UPU and postal services face. His number-one priority is to ensure the full integration of developing countries into the universal postal network. He served as Chairman of the UPU Executive Council from 1990 to 1994.