There is a broad consensus in the international community that the ability of individuals and communities to engage in the global exchange of information and knowledge using new information and communication technologies (ICTs) will have a critical role in achieving sustainable development in the 21st century.
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted by the international development community have identified information-communication technologies, ICTs as an essential component for eradicating world poverty. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognizes that agricultural information management plays a key role in ensuring food security and sustainable development.
The potential of the information and communication technologies to promote sustainable development by empowering people to increase their ability to participate in society, build human skills, bolster small enterprises, and harness indigenous knowledge and cultural practices, is considerable. However, these benefits will not be realized unless a concerted effort is made to build up the human and institutional capacities necessary to apply ICTs to achieve sustainable development.
The United Nations system has initiated several processes aimed at promoting the access and use of information and communication technologies as instruments of development. This issue of the Bulletin analyzes and discusses the links, the benefits of the application of ICTs especially in rural areas and their role in promoting sustainable development.
Articles are presented on relevant activities and initiatives developed at national and regional levels and the use of Internet. Likewise, it is also presented an article on the UNESCO's approach to open access and public domain information. A new section is introduced with some opinions on the use of ICTs.
To all interested, the articles of the bulletin can be accessed through the web site of COAIM: http://www.fao.org/COAIM/index_en.asp
The articles are presented in their original language (FAO's official languages). We invite you to send your electronic address to receive regularly the next issues of the bulletin. Information of interest to other users is welcome.
