Information must play a central role in governance - Society

Accra, Oct 22, GNA - The World Summit on the Information Society has called on governments, the private sector and civil society organisations to discharge their responsibilities to ensure that information played a central role in governance and decision-making for the attainment of the millennium development goals.

In a document circulated and made available to GNA on Wednesday, the Society said a well-developed information and communication network, which is easily accessible and affordable, could accelerate the social and economic progress of countries and the well being of citizens. The Society, therefore, urged governments to put in place policies that promoted fair competition at all levels in order to attract more private investment for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure development.

Such policies should also permit public services to meet their obligations in areas where traditional market conditions failed to work. "In disadvantaged areas the establishment of ICTs public access points in post offices, schools and other entities can provide effective means for ensuring universal access."

The Society also stressed the importance of the use of ICTs in all stages of education; training and human resources development, with emphasis on persons with disabilities and the vulnerable. To attain these goals the Society called for partnerships between developed and developing countries in research, manufacturing and marketing of ICT products and services to promote capacity building and enhance global participation in the information society by the year 2015.

While recognising the principles of universal and non-discriminatory access to ICTs for all nations, the Society said it was, however, important that the use of such information resources and technologies for terrorist purposes were prevented.

"Spam and cyber security should be dealt with at appropriate national and international levels."

The Society also called for intellectual property protection to encourage the innovation and creativity in the Information Society, adding that striking a fair balance between knowledge sharing and protection was essential for growth.

The Society pledged its unflinching support to strengthening cooperation and seeking responses to the challenges and the implementation of the Plan of Action to realise its vision. The plan of action viewed the effective participation of all stakeholders as vital towards the development of the Society and the attainment of its major goal of improving connectivity and access in the use of ICT by the year 2015.

The plan also called on all countries to put together national 'e-strategies', including the necessary human capacity building by 2005.