Report on Question 13-1
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*19148* Printed in Switzerland Geneva, 2001 ISBN 92-61-09251-9 q-13-1-Final report.indd 1 21.06.2001, 15:25 THE STUDY GROUPS OF THE ITU-D The ITU-D Study Groups were set up in accordance with Resolution 2 of World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1994. For the period 1998-2002, Study Group 1 is entrusted with the study of eleven Questions in the field of telecommunication development strategies and policies. Study Group 2 is entrusted with the study of seven Questions in the field of development and management of telecommunication services and networks. For this period, in order to respond as quickly as possible to the concerns of developing countries, instead of being approved during the WTDC, the output of each Question is published as and when it is ready. For further information Please contact: Ms. Fidélia AKPO Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) ITU Place des Nations CH-1211 GENEVA 20 Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 730 5439 Fax: +41 22 730 5484 E-mail: [email protected] Placing orders for ITU publications Please note that orders cannot be taken over the telephone. They should be sent by fax or e-mail. ITU Sales Service Place des Nations CH-1211 GENEVA 20 Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 730 6141 English Telephone: +41 22 730 6142 French Telephone: +41 22 730 6143 Spanish Fax: +41 22 730 5194 Telex: 421 000 uit ch Telegram: ITU GENEVE E-mail: [email protected] The Electronic Bookshop of ITU: www.itu.int/publications ITU 2001 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without written permission from ITU. Report on Question 13/1 v Final Report Table of Contents Page 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 2 INTERNET Applications focused on development needs.................................................. 2 2.1 Education and learning............................................................................................ 2 2.1.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries................................ 3 2.1.1.1 Primary and secondary education............................................. 3 2.1.1.2 Higher education and virtual universities................................. 6 2.1.1.3 Non-formal education .............................................................. 9 2.1.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future....................................... 10 2.2 Health...................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries................................ 13 2.2.1.1 Information stores .................................................................... 13 2.2.1.2 Networking and information sharing ....................................... 14 2.2.1.3 Telemedicine ............................................................................ 15 2.2.1.4 Telehealth................................................................................. 16 2.2.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future....................................... 16 2.2.2.1 Access ...................................................................................... 17 2.2.2.2 Local content............................................................................ 17 2.2.2.3 Sustainability............................................................................ 18 2.3 Information services, libraries and archives............................................................ 18 2.3.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries................................ 20 2.3.1.1 Public libraries.......................................................................... 20 2.3.1.2 National libraries and networks................................................ 21 2.3.1.3 On-line publications ................................................................. 23 2.3.1.4 Archives ................................................................................... 23 2.3.1.5 World wide projects and programmes...................................... 24 2.3.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future....................................... 26 2.4 Governance ............................................................................................................. 27 2.4.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries................................ 27 2.4.1.1 Access to government information........................................... 28 2.4.1.2 Provision of on-line services .................................................... 29 2.4.1.3 On-line participation ................................................................ 29 2.4.1.4 Government management ........................................................ 30 2.4.1.5 Community access.................................................................... 31 2.4.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future....................................... 32 2.5 Agriculture and rural development ......................................................................... 33 2.5.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries................................ 34 2.5.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future....................................... 37 2.6 Environment and disaster management .................................................................. 37 2.6.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries................................ 38 2.6.1.1 Environmental education and training ..................................... 38 2.6.1.2 Electronic discussion groups and virtual forums...................... 39 2.6.1.3 Databases and information dissemination................................ 40 2.6.1.4 Global and regional observation systems................................. 41 2.6.1.5 Disaster alert and mitigation..................................................... 43 2.6.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future....................................... 43 vi Report on Question 13/1 Page 2.7 Culture..................................................................................................................... 44 2.7.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries................................ 45 2.7.1.1 Preservation of material cultural heritage................................. 45 2.7.1.2 Virtual museums....................................................................... 46 2.7.1.3 Creativity and cultural content on the WWW .......................... 48 2.7.1.4 Cultural research and policies .................................................. 50 2.7.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future....................................... 50 2.8 The mass media....................................................................................................... 51 2.8.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries................................ 51 2.8.1.1 The press................................................................................... 53 2.8.1.2 Radio ........................................................................................ 54 2.8.1.3 Television ................................................................................. 55 2.8.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future....................................... 56 2.9 Scientific research ................................................................................................... 57 2.9.1 Applications of the Internet in developing countries................................ 57 2.9.1.1 Networking and electronic information.................................... 58 2.9.1.2 Virtual laboratories................................................................... 58 2.9.2 Problems, solutions and priorities for the future....................................... 59 3 Local content and empowerment......................................................................................... 60 3.1 Production of local content ..................................................................................... 62 3.2 Indigenous knowledge and expression.................................................................... 63 3.3 Multilingualism....................................................................................................... 65 3.4 User empowerment and co-operation...................................................................... 68 3.5 National policies and public incentives................................................................... 70 4 Conclusions ......................................................................................................................... 74 4.1 Economic obstacles................................................................................................. 74 4.2 Creation of and access to content and applications................................................. 75 4.3 The Internet in development ................................................................................... 75 Report on Question 13/1 vii FOREWORD Report on Question 13/1 The second World Telecommunication Development Conference, held in Valletta, Malta, March-April 1998, approved, inter alia, the study of several Questions for Study Group 1, dealing with regulatory, political and financial matters. Question 13/1, entitled “Promotion of infrastructure