Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for Sustainable Development

In the developed world, information and communication technologies are influencing revolutionary changes within the workplace and in society generally. Within the developing world, many places haven't been reached by the knowledge revolution. The potential for these systems to market and provides impetus to the sustainable development of those countries is unquestionable. However, in isolation, without a careful strategy or agenda of development, ICTs will have little or no influence, or might even end in negative impacts. The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) decided to deal with the ICT and development topic at its third session in May 1997. Its Working Group's review of the evidence regarding the implications of ICTs for developing countries and countries in transition led it to conclude that there are substantial indicators that the new technologies are transforming some sectors of society. The working party concluded that governments and other stakeholders must be called upon to style new roles for the general public and business sectors to enable ICTs to be harnessed to economic, social, and environmental development goals. To contribute to sustainable development, therefore, besides supplying connectivity, ICT implementation must be amid public policy changes, improved evaluation, sharing of data generation and knowledge, and more equitable access and use by different social groups. The experience of Latin America and therefore the Caribbean during this regard are often reviewed within the report Paths Beyond Connectivity.

In the developed world, information and communication technologies are influencing revolutionary changes within the workplace and in society generally. Within the developing world, many places haven't been reached by the knowledge revolution. The potential for these systems to market and provides impetus to the sustainable development of those countries is unquestionable. However, in isolation, without a careful strategy or agenda of development, ICTs will have little or no influence, or might even end in negative impacts.

By: Jyoti Nayak

Birla School, Pilani