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                                       **Document WSIS03/PCIP/DT/5-E**

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\[NOTE: The whole text is in square brackets.\]

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> ]{.underline} **21 A** [\[New paragraph\]]{.underline}[^2][\
> ]{.underline} **21 B** \[[New paragraph]{.underline}\][^3]

Section I

1 The Information Society is an evolving concept that has reached
different levels of development across the regions and countries of the
world. But all can learn from each other\'s experience. For this reason,
the proposed Action Plan - established in accordance with the Millennium
\[/Development\] Goals - is a flexible reference framework that can be
used as a source of guidance and inspiration at different regional and
national levels [as well as at the level of the United Nations
international organization]{.underline}.

*Alternate paragraph 1:* The Information Society is an evolving concept
which encompasses traditional media such as the press, radio, television
and existing telecommunication infrastructure, as well as the new media
brought into being through advances in ICTs. Its~~the~~ realization is
driven by all societies - and in this process all of them can learn from
each other. At present, the Information Society has reached different
levels of development across the regions and countries of the world. For
that reason, the present Action Plan is a reference framework and a
flexible guide for use at the regional and national levels, and is
established in accordance with the Millennium Declaration Goals.[^4]

**1 A** [Information technology has emerged as an issue for
international debate fairly recently. Many still treat it under purely
technical approaches, limiting discussions to matters of bandwidth,
accessibility, communication infrastructure and so on. This is clearly
not sufficient. The plan of action should be organized around broad
thematic areas of public policies that are particularly relevant to
developing countries, such as education, health, employment, government
efficiency, local content, social inclusion and the promotion of
science, technology and innovation. Better connectivity infrastructure,
however, is also a fundamental objective.]{.underline}[^5]

**1 B** [The plan of action should be adaptable to each country\'s
national characteristics, needs and values. It should emphasize the
State\'s key role in the formulation and implementation of ICT related
policies, in partnership with international organizations, the private
sector and civil society. The plan of action must focus on the social
and economical goals of the millennium summit
declaration.]{.underline}[^6]

# *A List of issues*

# 1) Information and communication [technologies]{.underline} infrastructure: financing and investment, affordability, development and sustainability

2 **Bridging the digital divide:** We are committed to taking action to
overcome the digital divide. This is both a cause and a consequence of
the economic, [geographic]{.underline}, social and cultural differences
that exist between and within countries, including in terms of
education, health and access to knowledge.

*Alternate paragraph 2:* Our countries are committed, through mechanisms
for digital participation that include the exchange of best practices,
to taking action to overcome the digital divide, as a basis for
achieving the information society, which reflects and is a factor in the
differences that exist between and within countries in economic, social
and cultural terms and in education, health and access to knowledge.
*Mexico proposes including this text in the draft Declaration after No.
17 or in the preambular part, after No. 3b.*[^7]

**2 A** [Infrastructure is central to digital inclusion and is, perhaps,
the most critical step in national ICT policy, requiring involvement of
regulatory bodies and the private sector.]{.underline}[^8]

**2 B** [Reliable and affordable access to information by all, and the
development of online services relevant to the economy and the country
at large depend on infrastructure. Research and investments should be
promoted through public and private sector
partnerships*.*]{.underline}[^9]

**2 C** [National policies should also promote connectivity in
underserved areas through regulations and/or private sector incentives
and in coordination with the civil society.]{.underline}[^10]

**2 D** [Infrastructure development is likely to rely on
telecommunication regulatory agencies and private sector
support.]{.underline}[^11]

**2 E** [Projects and adaptation of technologies to local needs and
conditions must be developed. To this end, governments should develop
technology-based firms by creating such mechanisms as venture capital
funds, technology incentive zones and business incubators with the
participation of academic institutions, research centres and the private
sector, while also promoting their national, regional and international
integration through the use of advanced research and development
networks, and appropriate funding facilities.]{.underline}[^12]

3 **Universal access to the Information Society:** In order to achieve
affordable and universal access to the Information Society in basic
services [and information and communication equipment,]{.underline} it
is essential:

-- To utilize existing and new technologies to provide connectivity to
all [to achieve the universal design of information and communication
equipment so that everyone, including the elderly and the handicapped,
can easily access]{.underline}.

-- To develop connectivity[, including Internet access,]{.underline} for
institutions accessible to the public such as [digital community
centres, \[]{.underline}schools\], [universities]{.underline} libraries,
post offices, [community and cultural centres, archives,
museums,]{.underline} etc.

-- To study [and promote]{.underline} relevant solutions to promote
information and communication technologies (ICTs), adapted to the
environment in remote, [impoverished,]{.underline} and particularly
rural areas[, particularly in marginalized urban areas and underserved
marginalized urban areas,]{.underline} such as by establishing
multi‑purpose community access points to ensure inclusive access to
information and social services.

-- To \[revise/[develop\]]{.underline} continuously the concept of
universal access/service to reflect advances and opportunities offered
by \[technology/[ICTs]{.underline}\], existing infrastructures, market
development and changes in user demand.

[-- To develop low‑cost solutions affordable to low‑income countries and
regions.]{.underline}

[-- To develop adaptations that enable elderly, disabled and
disadvantaged people to access networks and ICTs.]{.underline}

[-- T]{.underline}o study and promote energy solutions adapted to the
environment for IC[T]{.underline}s, particularly in rural
areas[.]{.underline}

[--]{.underline} To devise appropriate universal access policies and
strategies in order to encourage the development of ICTs, particularly
in suburban and rural areas (defining concept, content, financing,
economic viability and implementation programme)[.]{.underline}

[-- Recognizing the critical role of universities and research
institutions in knowledge production and training, a global effort is
necessary to ensure that these institutions in developing countries have
affordable high‑speed Internet connections.]{.underline}

[-- To facilitate access to ICTs by adhering to Web accessibility
standards (W3C‑WAI), and by developing software and hardware designed
for those with impaired vision.]{.underline}

4 **Broadband:** It is essential [to develop]{.underline} and strengthen
[national]{.underline}, regional and international \[broadband/[most
modern]{.underline}\] network infrastructure in order to provide the
capacity to match the needs of countries and their citizens and for the
delivery of new services.

*Alternate paragraph 4:* [The strengthening of regional and
international broadband network infrastructure will help to provide the
capacity to match the needs of countries and their citizens and for the
delivery of new services.]{.underline}[^13]

5 **Low cost equipment:** The creation and provision of low-cost
[ICT]{.underline} equipment [with encouragement of local
manufacturing]{.underline} shall be an integral part of the agenda for
reducing the digital divide [and of the advance towards the Information
Society]{.underline}.

6 **Low cost connectivity:** Universal access policies
\[shall/[should]{.underline}\] promote the best possible level of
connectivity for [underserved]{.underline} areas at [affordable
and]{.underline}~~a~~ reasonable cost [for all with particular
initiatives]{.underline}. In particular, unused
[existing]{.underline}~~satellite~~ capacity should be used to improve
low‑cost connectivity in developing countries. Launch, through ITU,
technical, regulatory and operational studies with a view to promoting
the provision of high-speed satellite services for
[underserved]{.underline} areas.

7 **Convergence:** Technological convergence should be monitored with a
view to integrating ICTs in order to create alternative forms of access
that can help to narrow the digital divide.

*Alternate paragraph 7:* Technological convergence must be monitored
with a view to integrating ICTs in order to create alternative forms of
access that can help narrow the digital divide.[^14]

**7 A [Regulation:]{.underline}** [Governments should develop a
regulatory framework that is both transparent and conducive to
competition within the national market, allowing new entrants to operate
on a level playing field with incumbent ICT providers. In this context,
the deployment of Universal Access should be set up and based on
competitive rules and licence-granting. A national fund to finance
Universal Access is to be foreseen for areas and communities where the
competitive market cannot ensure the deployment of Universal Access.
Governments should assist all businesses to flourish, by providing a
supportive economic and social environment that facilitates their
success. Laws and regulations should be written so as to recognize the
legitimacy of electronic documents and signatures.]{.underline}[^15]

8 **Interconnection:** [The information and communication infrastructure
is global in its nature. A decentralized and proportionate growth of the
global information and communication infrastructure must be promoted. No
country or region shall concentrate traffic flows or control the central
parts and components of the global information and communications
infrastructure, such as traffic hubs and root servers.]{.underline}
Connectivity among major information networks should be optimized
through the creation [and interconnection]{.underline} of regional
traffic hubs to reduce interconnection costs and broaden network access.

9 **Interconnection fees:** [Countries and backbone providers should
share interconnection costs. The sharing of interconnection costs may
contribute to decrease the price of connectivity to end users in
developing countries, facilitating the universalization of
access.]{.underline} Interconnection fees for the use of networks and
infrastructure shall be set on the basis of objective,
non-discriminatory and market-led [and cost]{.underline}
parameters~~.~~[, taking into account the need to promote universal
access to those facilities, including to peoples, communities and groups
in social and economic disadvantage.]{.underline}

10 **Regional [and national]{.underline} infrastructure:** Regional [and
national]{.underline} ICT backbones and exchange points should be
\[implemented/developed\] to facilitate traffic exchange between
countries. Reinvigorate the project for the modernization and extension
of the existing PANAFTEL network and remove all obstacles to the
implementation of the RASCOM (Regional African Satellite Communications
Organization) project.

**10 A** [Special circumstances of Small Island Developing States
(SIDS): These countries, with fragile ecosystems vulnerable to
environmental hazards, and characterized by small, homogenous markets,
high costs of access and equipment, human resource constraints
exacerbated by the problem of \"brain-drain\", limited access to
networks and remote locations, will require particular attention and
tailored solutions to meet their needs.]{.underline}[^16]

11 **Environmental protection:** Governments, [parliaments]{.underline}
and the business community shall initiate actions as well as developing
and implementing programmes and projects for the environmentally-safe
disposal (including recycling) of discarded ICT hardware and parts.

**11 A [Interconnection fees:]{.underline}** [Interconnection fees for
the use of networks and infrastructure shall be set on the basis of
objective, non-discriminatory parameters.]{.underline}[^17]

**11 B [Environmental protection:]{.underline}** [Governments and the
business community must develop and implement programmes and projects
for the protection and safety of the environment]{.underline} [which
include the recycling of discarded ICT hardware and
parts.]{.underline}[^18]

# 2) Access to information [and communication technologies]{.underline} and knowledge

12 Individuals and organizations should benefit from unhindered access
to knowledge and information[, and reliable
information]{.underline}.[^19]

**12 A** [Creation of content models whereby content in digital format
is freely available, while paper-printed versions or CD burned versions
may be sold by institutional or commercial channels.]{.underline}[^20]

**12 B** [Universal and affordable access to ICTs remains one of the
biggest challenges for bridging the digital divide. The design,
financing and implementation of programmes with the objective of
providing access and connectivity to excluded populations of developing
countries should be conducted under the guidance of competent national
authorities, in partnership with international organizations, the
private sector and civil society.]{.underline}[^21]

13 **Access to public domain information:** Information in the public
domain should be of high quality and easily accessible for all,
including the \[disabled/[disadvantaged groups\]]{.underline}.

*Alternate paragraph 13:* [Publicly available information should be
easily accessible for all and should take into account design standards
for disabled persons. Multilingual content should be
encouraged.]{.underline}[^22]

**13 A** [Criteria must be set as to what constitutes public
information, the conditions under which it may be accessed and the
standards to be observed by those who compile, publish or administer it,
based on the safeguarding of the individual\'s right to privacy and
defining the scope of its use and the responsibilities of those who have
access to it.]{.underline}[^23]

**13 B [Libraries:]{.underline}** [All stakeholders should support the
diverse network of existing libraries and should support those countries
which plan to develop their own. A modest level of investment in new
technology, training and above all, content provision could kick-start
the information revolution in many regions by broadening access and
developing skills. Government should establish multi-purpose community
public access points, providing affordable or free-of-charge access for
the citizens to the Internet, and possessing sufficient capacity to
provide assistance to users, in libraries, educational institutions,
public administrations or other public places. The public library
service should be adapted to the digital era.]{.underline}[^24]

**13 C [Archives:]{.underline}** [Governments should:]{.underline}

[-- develop appropriate legislation and implementation measures ensuring
access by citizens to public information on an equal basis with due
regard for protecting privacy]{.underline}

[-- provide appropriate training for archives users, staff and future
staff]{.underline}

[-- promote policies that increase public awareness of archives and
records]{.underline}[^25]

14 **Open standards and open-source software**: Development and
deployment of open-source software and open standards for ICT networking
should be encouraged [to provide freedom of choice and to facilitate
access to ICTs by all citizens, at an affordable cost]{.underline}:

-- Open, flexible and interoperable international standards should be
developed and promoted to ensure that all can utilize the technology and
associated content and services to their maximum potential.

-- Open-source software, including ~~UNESCO software CDS/ISIS~~,
[multiplatform]{.underline} should be used more broadly to provide
freedom of choice and to facilitate access to ICTs by all citizens, at
an affordable price.

-- Standardization efforts in the field of terminology and other
language resources should be intensified.[^26]

[-- Development and deployment of public copyleft software should be
encouraged.]{.underline}

[-- Awareness of open-source/free software/copyleft software should be
created, especially in the developing countries.]{.underline}

[-- Promote interoperability principles and metadata standards to
facilitate cooperation and effective and efficient use of collected data
and information.]{.underline}

[-- Promote electronic publishing, differential pricing schemes and
appropriate open source initiatives to make scientific information
affordable and accessible on an equitable basis in all
countries.]{.underline}

*Alternate 1 paragraph 14:* [Adoption of open-source/free software shall
be actively considered by all public authorities and
bodies.]{.underline}[^27]

*Alternate 2 paragraph 14:* [**Open standards and open-source
software:** Development and deployment of open-source software and
standards for ICT networking should be encouraged:]{.underline}

[-- Open and flexible international and interoperable standards should
be promoted to ensure that all can utilize the technology and associated
content and services to their maximum potential.]{.underline}

[-- Open-source software, including UNESCO software CDS/ISIS,
multi-platform and open platform as well as interoperability standards,
should be used more broadly to provide freedom of *choice* and to
facilitate access to ICTs by all citizens, at an affordable
cost.]{.underline}

[-- Standardization efforts in the field of terminology and other
language resources should be intensified.]{.underline}[^28]

*Alternate 3 paragraph* *14:* [**Open international standards:**
Development and deployment of open, flexible and interoperable
international standards for ICT networking, the creation and
dissemination of content and network services, should be promoted to
ensure that all can utilize the technology and associated content and
services to their maximum potential. Standardization efforts in the
field of terminology and other language resources should be
intensified.]{.underline}[^29]

**14 A [Open source software:]{.underline}** [Development and deployment
of open-source software, including the UNESCO software CDS/ISIS, should
be used more broadly to provide freedom of choice and to facilitate
access to ICTs by all citizens, at affordable costs.]{.underline}[^30]

15 **Information flows:** Guidelines should be established and, [where
necessary]{.underline}, for Internet contracts and existing contracts
renegotiated [so as to allow more equitable access to all
countries]{.underline}.[^31]^,^ ^ ^[^32]^,^ [^33]

*Alternate paragraph 15:* [**Information flows:** Guidelines on Internet
contracts should be established and existing contracts for Internet
traffic renegotiated, in accordance with the legal provisions of each
country. These Internet contracts should include some code of ethics and
available best practices.]{.underline}[^34]

# 3) The role of governments/[States]{.underline}\], [parliaments, United Nations international organization,]{.underline} the business sector and civil society in the promotion of ICTs for development

16 The full and effective involvement of all stakeholders [including
women]{.underline} is vital in developing new ICT applications [and
content]{.underline}. ~~The role, responsibilities and goals of each
stakeholder should be clearly defined.~~

**16 A** States have an important role to play in promoting universal
access to the information society. Developing countries should formulate
and adopt a national vision of the information society, designing and
implementing ICT-strategies appropriate to their circumstances and
national interests.[^35]

**16 B** Civil society and the private sector should be involved in the
implementation of national policies, complementing State initiatives in
their respective areas of competence and sharing the burden of costs and
the social responsibilities involved.[^36]

17 **Cooperation among Stakeholders:** Increased cooperation and
partnerships are needed between governmental and intergovernmental
organizations, [parliaments,]{.underline} the private sector, civil
society and the media, for the effective design and implementation of
initiatives related to the information Society, giving priority to
locally-available human resources:

-- The public sector should [improve]{.underline} [national
legislation]{.underline} [pertaining to]{.underline} [the building of
the Information Society,]{.underline} explore innovative ways to correct
market failures and foster [innovative approaches including]{.underline}
competition to bring the Information Society to all sectors of the
economy and society, especially those living in poverty.

[-- National government and local authorities must prioritize and
promote local ICT initiatives to serve local, national and regional
communities.]{.underline}

-- The private sector should play an important role in the development
and diffusion of ICTs.

-- Civil society, including NGOs, should work closely \[with/[in
integrating ICTs into]{.underline}\] communities, [and]{.underline} in
strengthening ICT-related initiatives [that support
development]{.underline}. [They should be fully involved in the
formulation and implementation of ICTs and sustainable development
strategies]{.underline}.

-- Mass media - in their various forms - are recognized as important
means of fostering public information, societal development and social
cohesion.

-- International and regional organizations, including financial and
development institutions should \[~~play an important role/~~[assist
developing countries\]]{.underline} in integrating the use of ICTs in
the development process ~~and making available the necessary
resources~~.

-- International organizations should be mandated to mainstream ICTs in
their work programmes and \[~~asked to/~~[to assist developing countries
to]{.underline}\] prepare action plans to support the fulfilment of the
goals indicated in the declaration of principles and in this action
plan.

[-- Develop projects that promote dialogue within and between cultures
and civilizations via electronic networks.]{.underline}

[-- Promote further research programmes on issues related to the goals
approved by the United Nations Millennium Assembly especially in the
developing countries.]{.underline}

[-- Parliaments should exercise more effectively their legislative and
oversight functions with a view to creating conditions particularly
favourable for promotion of ICTs for development, and should strive to
enhance democracy through the use of ICTs.]{.underline}

[-- Governments should establish and use electronic marketplaces for
procuring goods and services. Governments should assist local business
to transact business with them using such markets.]{.underline}

[-- Multinational corporations should play a facilitating role in the
introduction of e‑business through their role as a significant purchaser
of goods and services locally.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 17:* [**Cooperation among stakeholders:** Increased
cooperation and partnerships are needed between governmental and
intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, civil society and
the media, for effective design and implementation]{.underline} of
various initiatives, giving priority to [locally]{.underline}-available
human resources:

-- The public sector should explore innovative ways [to
bring]{.underline} the Information Society to all sectors of the economy
and society, especially [those]{.underline} living in poverty.

-- The private sector should play an important role in the development
and diffusion of ICTs [in all sectors of the economy and
society]{.underline}.

-- Civil society, [including]{.underline} NGOs, should work closely with
communities in strengthening ICT-related initiatives.

-- Mass media - in their various forms - are recognized as important
[means of fostering]{.underline} public information,
[societal]{.underline} development and social cohesion.

-- International and regional organizations, [including]{.underline}
financial and development institutions should play an important role in
~~integrating~~ the [integration and]{.underline} use of ICTs ~~in the
development process~~ and [in]{.underline} making available the
necessary resources [for their development]{.underline}.

-- International organizations should [give priority to]{.underline}
ICTs in their work programmes and ~~asked to~~ [prepare]{.underline}
action plans [to support the fulfilment of the goals]{.underline}
indicated in the declaration of principles and in this action plan.[^37]

**17 A** [Measures to overcome the digital divide should reflect a
consensus and highlight not only the growing social responsibility of
enterprises, but also the increasing demand for more NGO accountability
in the national societies where they operate.]{.underline}[^38]

18 **Resource mobilization:** All stakeholders are urged to mobilize
resources for the development of the Information Society. This could
include:[^39]

-- Increasing investment in \[telecommunication
infrastructure/[Information and Communication
Technologies\]]{.underline}.

-- Building human capacity.

-- Developing [comprehensive]{.underline} policy [and
regulatory]{.underline} frameworks,

-- Developing culturally \[sensitive/[appropriate]{.underline}\] local
content and applications.

[-- Creating new business market based to provide services to
unconnected areas.]{.underline}

[-- Giving strong support to Africa for mobilizing the resources
necessary for implementing NEPAD\'s ICT component.]{.underline}

19 **ICT manufacturing capabilities**: It is essential for governments
to encourage technology [development,]{.underline} transfer and
investment, including venture capital, in the creation of national and
regional ICT production facilities:

-- Priority [incentives given]{.underline}
\[shall/[should\]]{.underline} be \[placed on/[given to\]]{.underline}
strengthening local micro‑enterprises and small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) through their integration into the digital economy.
Partnership mechanisms and business models should be developed for
fostering clustering and partnership between SMEs in developing
countries and industrialized countries.

-- Public policies \[must/[should]{.underline}\] foster innovation and
entrepreneurship.

-- The development of technology-based firms should be encouraged
through venture capital funds, technology parks and business incubators,
franchising IT clubs, together with the participation of academic
institutions and research networks.

-- Joint stakeholder efforts to address local obstacles and seek
sustainable solutions for infrastructure in underprivileged areas should
be encouraged.

-- Governments \[should/[shall\]]{.underline} implement targeted
monetary and fiscal policies to support the development of SMEs in the
ICT sector ~~(for instance, by relaxing duties and import taxes, and by
initiating investment funds)~~. [Governments should ensure that
women-run SMEs benefit equally from these policies.]{.underline}[^40]

**19 A [Interoperability:]{.underline}** [Interoperability is critical
to the effective use of ICT and the WSIS should seek to raise awareness
of the importance of international interoperability standards for global
e-commerce, and the feasibility of establishing a flexible and open
global standards framework.]{.underline}[^41]

**19 B** [Developing countries must be aware that mainstreaming ICTs
into public policies, supported by many in theory, could lead to a surge
in ICT imports and consumption, pressuring their balance of payments and
promoting \"de‑industrialization\", without necessarily producing the
desired social and economic benefits. Appropriate national policies must
be sought to prevent this from happening.]{.underline}[^42]

# 4) Capacity building: human resources development, education, and training[^43]

20 An ambitious and innovative approach is required in capacity
building, taking advantage of the opportunities offered by ICTs.

**21 ICTs in education:** The use of ICTs could contribute to more
efficiency and better quality in education services. They should also
contribute to reaching broader target groups:

-- Information regarding the potential of new technologies in education
should be disseminated through exchange of information on best
practices, awareness campaigns, pilot projects, demonstrations and
public discussions.

-- ICTs should be incorporated in school curricula [and in the curricula
of teacher training institutions.]{.underline}

-- ICTs should be used to train trainers and to ensure better delivery
of education at all levels, including outside the educational structure,
at the workplace and in the home.

-- Teacher\'s skills and curriculum resources need increased support so
that teachers can act as a gateway to the Information Society.

-- There should be a large-scale integration of ICTs in ~~primary~~
education to generate a dynamic process towards e-literacy.

-- The capacity of developing and least developed countries [and
countries whose economy is in transition,]{.underline} to apply ICTs
effectively in education must be enhanced through regional and
international cooperation.

[-- Facilitate the development of affordable solutions in terms of
hardware and software tailored to the needs of all educational levels
and to local conditions while promoting the combination of various
media, both traditional and new.]{.underline}

[-- Use ICTs to increase women\'s knowledge and thus enable gender
barriers to be removed.]{.underline}

[-- Develop affordable solutions in terms of hardware and software
tailored to the needs of all educational levels and to local conditions
while promoting the combination of various media, both traditional and
new.]{.underline}

[-- ICT education should be seen as one more way to create challenging
opportunities and job creation in special for low‑income
people.]{.underline}

[-- Particular attention must be paid to the development of distance
training by pooling available resources at the subregional, regional and
global levels and taking account of proven practices and
experiences.]{.underline}

*Alternate 1 paragraph 21:* The use of ICTs could contribute to more
efficiency and better quality in education services [as well as ensuring
equal access to education by girls and women]{.underline}.

-- Information regarding the potential of new technologies in education
should be disseminated through exchange of information on best
practices, awareness campaigns, pilot projects, demonstrations and
public discussions.

-- ICTs should be incorporated in school curricula. [All students
completing secondary school should have developed a basic grasp of
ICTs.]{.underline}

-- ICTs should be used to train trainers and to ensure better delivery
of education at all levels, including outside the educational structure,
at the workplace and in the home. [This should be done recognizing the
barriers faced by women and girls in benefiting from ICTs.]{.underline}

-- Teachers skills and curriculum resources need increased support so
that teachers can act as a gateway to the Information Society.

-- There should be a large-scale integration of ICTs in primary
education to generate a dynamic process towards e-literacy, [with equal
access for girls and boys.]{.underline}

-- The capacity of developing and least developed countries to apply
ICTs effectively in education ~~must~~[should]{.underline} be enhanced
through regional and international cooperation.[^44]

*Alternate 2 paragraph 21:* **ICTs in education:** [The use
of]{.underline} ICTs could contribute to more efficiency and better
quality in education services. [Like the press, radio and television,
and in partnership with those media, ICTs can contribute to enhancing
the quality of teaching and learning, and the sharing of knowledge and
information. They should also contribute to the following:]{.underline}

[-- The dissemination of information]{.underline} regarding the
potential of new technologies in education ~~should be~~ ~~disseminated
through~~[through]{.underline} exchange of information on
[best]{.underline} practices, awareness campaigns, pilot projects,
demonstrations and public discussions.

[-- The incorporation of]{.underline} ICTs in school curricula.

[-- The use of]{.underline} ICTs to train trainers and to ~~ensure
better delivery of~~[give greater momentum to]{.underline} education at
all levels, including outside the educational structure, at the
workplace and in the home.

[-- Increased support for teachers\']{.underline} skills and curriculum
resources ~~need increased support~~ so that [teachers]{.underline} can
act as a gateway to the Information Society.

[--]{.underline} ~~There should be a~~[Promoting large-scale integration
of ICTs]{.underline} in primary education to generate a dynamic process
towards e-literacy.

[--]{.underline} ~~The~~[Enhancing the]{.underline} capacity of
developing and least developed countries to apply ICTs effectively in
education through regional and international cooperation.

[-- Securing continuous education that affords individuals the
opportunity not only to make use of technological advances and acquire
information, but also to innovate and develop skills related to the
capacity to create, modify and synthesize knowledge.]{.underline}

[-- Focusing efforts on the review and approval of ICT-related curricula
in keeping with quality standards, in order to contribute to improved
training so that professional and technical managers meet the
requirements of industry.]{.underline}[^45]

**21 A** [The development of human capital is a key component of the
information society.]{.underline}[^46]

**21 B** [Technological change will require the progressive integration
of ICT related skills and notions into national basic education
curricula, as well as specific programmes for on-the-job training and
long‑distance learning. Developing countries face major existing
problems, such as access to education and inadequate educational content
and teaching methods.]{.underline}[^47]

22 **Capacity building for ICT use:** ICT literacy and skills levels
should be enhanced to ensure the best use of the Information Society:

[-- Computer literacy and education for all are vital elements of the
information society. Access to information can only be meaningful if
illiteracy is eradicated. Quality education through lifelong learning is
vital for critical assessment and evaluation of information by
everyone.]{.underline}

-- Relevant education and training[, adapted to local
needs]{.underline}, should be promoted at every level, from primary to
adult education, to open up opportunities for as many people as
possible, and especially the disadvantaged. [Overcoming illiteracy is a
basic first step to providing access to information.]{.underline}

-- Women should be given equal opportunities for ~~obtaining~~training
in the ICT field.

-- Young people should be equipped with knowledge and skills in ICTs to
prepare them for full participation in the Information Society.

-- People should be trained in the use of ICTs through e-literacy
courses with a view to producing useful and socially meaningful content
for the benefit of all.

-- Intergovernmental organizations should provide resources for capacity
building in ICTs.

-- ICT education and information should be tailored to the need and
culture of all those still outside the reach of the formal education
system[, especially women and girls, who constitute the majority of
school drop-outs]{.underline}~~leavers~~.

-- Community media should be used in capacity building programmes.

-- Promote sustainable capacity building and education initiatives to
ensure that the new opportunities offered by ICTs for the production and
sharing of scientific data and information can be realized in all
countries.

[-- Encourage initiatives to increase scientific literacy and consumer
awareness of how to select and interpret scientific information
published on the World Wide Web, recognizing the key role of the media
in communicating science.]{.underline}

[-- E-facilitation: Local businesses should be informed of e-business
concepts and practices to help them succeed. Written guides and active
facilitation centres should be developed and widely distributed for this
purpose.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 22:* **[Capacity building for]{.underline} ICT
[use]{.underline}:** People must [have]{.underline}
~~enhanced~~[adequate levels]{.underline} of ICT [literacy and ICT
skills]{.underline} to make the best use of the Information Society[. To
that end]{.underline}:

-- Relevant education and [training]{.underline} should be promoted at
every level, from primary to adult, to open up opportunities for as many
people as possible, and especially the disadvantaged.

-- Women [should be given]{.underline} equal opportunities for
[obtaining training]{.underline} in the ICT field.

-- Young people [should be equipped]{.underline} with knowledge and
[skills]{.underline} in ICTs [to prepare them for full
participation]{.underline} in the Information Society.

-- [E-literacy]{.underline} courses [should be aimed at
training]{.underline} the population in the use of [ICTs with a view
to]{.underline} producing useful and socially meaningful content for the
benefit of all.

-- Intergovernmental organizations should provide resources for capacity
[building]{.underline} in ICTs.

-- All those still outside the reach of the formal education system
should be offered education and information tailored to their needs and
culture.

-- ~~Community~~[Traditional communication media should be used in
capacity‑building programmes.]{.underline}[^48]

23 **Training ICT specialists**: Basic and advanced education should be
improved [and made accessible to girls and women]{.underline} to help
create a critical mass of highly qualified and skilled ICT professionals
and experts:

-- Education in network infrastructure development and operation is
critical for the availability of efficient, reliable, competitive and
secure ICT network services.

-- The formation and maintenance of a workforce to act as a pillar of
the Information Society ~~shall~~[should]{.underline} be undertaken in
close cooperation with the private sector and civil society in general.

[-- Women should be encouraged to enter and continue in this field
through specific measures and programmes (advertising campaigns,
scholarships).]{.underline}

-- South to North [and East to West]{.underline} brain drain should be
prevented, in particular through the creation ~~by governments~~ of an
adequate environment to keep trained people.

[-- The exchange of experiences between specialists in different fields
should be encouraged as a means of contributing effectively to the
transfer of know-how and knowledge.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 23:* **[Training ICT specialists:]{.underline}**
Basic and advanced education should be [improved]{.underline} to help
create a critical mass of highly qualified and [skilled]{.underline} ICT
professionals and experts:

-- [Education in network]{.underline} infrastructure [development and
operation]{.underline} is critical for the availability of [efficient,
reliable, competitive and secure]{.underline} ICT [network]{.underline}
services.

-- The formation and maintenance of [a workforce represents]{.underline}
~~to act as~~[a pillar of]{.underline} the Information Society[, and
accordingly should]{.underline}~~shall~~ be undertaken in close
cooperation with the private sector and civil society in general.

-- ~~South to North brain drain should be prevented, in particular
through the creation by governments of~~[Governments should
create]{.underline} an adequate environment [to prevent South to North
brain drain ~~keep trained people~~.]{.underline}[^49]

# 5) Security

24 **Secure and reliable infrastructure:** The security of networks is
one of the critical issues for the use of the new technologies in
general but specially for the continued growth of electronic commerce:

-- All stakeholders concerned with ICTs should take the necessary steps
to enhance security, user confidence and other aspects of information
and system/network integrity in order to avoid the risk of wholesale
disruption and destruction of the network systems on which we are
increasingly dependent.

-- Security and confidence-building requires appropriate national
legislative frameworks that safeguard the public and general interest
with regard to electronic communications and transactions.

-- It will also require raising awareness of information security
issues, and the rapidly evolving complexity, capacity and reach of ICTs,
the anonymity offered by these technologies, and the trans-national
nature of communication frameworks.

-- \[Special mechanisms \[shall/[should\]]{.underline} be put in place
to encourage the \[banking/[services\] and business]{.underline} sector
to develop secure and reliable applications to facilitate online
transactions [and e-commerce]{.underline}.~~Special mechanisms shall be
put in place to encourage the \[banking sector to develop secure and
reliable applications to facilitate online transactions [and
e-commerce]{.underline}.\]~~

[-- All stakeholders should have the necessary mechanisms in place to
ensure that their computer systems are protected, their systems are able
to detect unauthorized activity, they are able to respond to such
unauthorized activity and recover quickly from any damage done to their
systems after such activity.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 24:* [**Secure and reliable infrastructure:** The
security of networks has emerged as one of the critical issues for the
continued growth of electronic commerce and the use of the new
~~technologies~~ ICTs more generally. It is therefore
necessary:]{.underline}

-- [To take the necessary steps to enhance security, user confidence and
other aspects of information and system/network integrity in order to
avoid the systematic]{.underline} [risk of]{.underline} [disruption and
destruction of the network systems on which]{.underline} [all are
increasingly dependent]{.underline};

-- ~~This will require appropriate~~[To establish or strengthen national
legislative frameworks that safeguard the public ~~and~~interest and the
general interest, particularly that of consumers, and that foster
electronic communications and
transactions]{.underline}~~.~~[;]{.underline}

-- ~~It will also require raising~~[To raise awareness of information
security issues, and the rapidly evolving complexity, capacity and reach
of ICTs]{.underline}~~information technology, the anonymity offered by
these technologies, and the trans-national nature of communication
frameworks.~~;

-- ~~Special mechanisms shall be~~[To put in place special mechanisms to
encourage the banking sector to develop secure and reliable applications
to facilitate online transactions.]{.underline}[^50]

25 **Information Security**: Effective information security could be
guaranteed not only by technology, but also by education and training,
policy and law, and international cooperation. \[The United Nations
\[should/[shall]{.underline}\] be supported in its efforts aimed
at/[International cooperation should be promoted. For
example\]:]{.underline}[^51]

-- Assessing the information security situation, including harmful
interference or abuse using information and communication
\[systems/[technologies\]]{.underline} and information resources.

-- Developing methods for protection [of ICTs, to
avoid]{.underline}~~and creating a rapid reaction organization to deal
with~~ security violations, as well as exchanging information and
technology to combat violations.

-- \[Studying the ~~long-term~~ possibility of
\[creating/[establishing\]]{.underline} an international convention [on
internet governance and]{.underline} on the security of information and
communication networks/[Studying the long-term possibility of pursuing
international efforts on the security of information and communication
networks\]]{.underline}.

-- Recognizing the principle of fair, equitable and appropriate access
to ICTs for all countries, special attention should be paid to the fact
that ICTs can potentially be used for purposes that are inconsistent
with the objectives of maintaining international stability and security,
and may adversely affect the integrity of the infrastructure within
States~~, to the detriment of their security in both civil and military
fields~~.

[-- International cooperation should be developed to fight all forms of
the surveillance and monitoring system infringing upon the values of
human rights and democracy.]{.underline}

[-- Protection against illegal monitoring of private information held by
civil society and private sector must be assured.]{.underline}

[-- National compulsory projects using ICTS, such as electronic national
id card initiatives and electronic health care card initiatives, should
be prudently assessed, with consideration of privacy
issues.]{.underline}

26 **Creating a global culture of cyber-security**: In the long term, a
\"global culture of cyber‑security\", should be developed, based on \[a
common understanding of regulations and appropriate mechanisms for
information and technology exchange and international cooperation. It is
important to strike the right balance between measures to enhance
security and the need to ensure the protection of data and privacy as
well as to avoid the creation of new barriers to trade. Due attention
\[should/must\] be given to the principle of technological
neutrality/[UN Resolution (UNGA Resolution 57/239), and the United
Nations should be supported in its efforts aimed at promoting a global
culture of cyber-security.\] Supporting the creation of mechanisms for
the early detection and warning of computer viruses, trojans, worms and
other malicious computer network attacks on both public and private
networks. These could be based on the proven methodologies and systems
with the CERTS that have been established in a range of countries. The
methodology for development of this proposal could also draw upon the
eSecurity work of the APEC Tel Working Group, such as the development of
information seminars and of CERT guidelines and related
training.]{.underline}[^52]

**26 A** [A global culture of cybersecurity shall be created, with due
respect to human rights, including the right to communication, freedom
of expression and privacy.]{.underline}[^53]

**26 B** [A multilateral, transparent and democratic mechanism of
internet governance shall constitute the basis for the development of a
global culture of cybersecurity.]{.underline}[^54]

**26 C** [Responsibility for securing the cyberspace must be shared by
all countries, according to their level of social and economic
development. Concerns over cybersecurity must not override the
development-oriented focus of the information society, taking into
account that developing countries face shortage of human and financial
resources to develop ICTs social applications, such as distance
learning, telemedicine and telework.]{.underline}[^55]

**27 Fighting cybercrime**: Protection from civil and criminal offences
(\"cybercrime\") is essential in order to build trust in information
networks:[^56]

-- A multi-pronged approach is needed to tackle cybercrime, on all
fronts, with emphasis on preventive approaches, [including the
development and]{.underline} [improvement]{.underline} [of national
legislation aimed at preventing and combating cybercrime,]{.underline}
national guidelines and regional and international cooperation. \[At the
same time, action to address Cybercrime [and
cyberdiscrimination,]{.underline} and to ensure a safe and secure
Information Society must respect the sovereignty of nations and maintain
respect for the constitutional and other rights of all persons,
\[including/[particularly\]]{.underline} freedom of expression/~~At the
same time, action to address~~

~~Cybercrime and to ensure a safe and secure Information Society must
respect the sovereignty of nations and maintain respect for the
constitutional and other rights of all persons, including freedom of
expression~~.\]

-- Existing legal \[instruments/[mechanisms\]]{.underline}, such as the
*Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime*, offer the international
community a foundation from which to build.[^57]

[-- Within their field of competence, international organizations
especially UNESCO have a specific role and responsibility for action. In
particular, a clearing house should be established for the exchange of
information and to promote cooperation among groups concerned with child
abuse.]{.underline}

[-- Disseminate information among researchers, and promote exchange of
information among child care and child protection organizations, ISPs,
Web masters, police and judicial institutions, media practitioners,
citizens and civic groups and other concerned groups.]{.underline}

[-- Establish an international legal framework to prohibit producing and
circulating pornographic contents and harmful materials throughout the
internet under the auspices of UNESCO.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 27:* **[Fighting cybercrime:]{.underline}**
Protection from civil and criminal offences
(\"[cybercrime]{.underline}\") [is essential]{.underline} in order to
build trust in information networks:

-- A [multi-pronged approach]{.underline} is needed to
[tackle]{.underline} cybercrime, on all fronts, [with
emphasis]{.underline} on preventive [approaches]{.underline}, national
~~guidelines~~[directives]{.underline} and [regional and
international]{.underline} cooperation. ~~At the same time, action to
address cybercrime and~~ [Such directives shall aim]{.underline} to
ensure a [safe]{.underline} and secure Information Society[,
respecting]{.underline} ~~must respect~~ the sovereignty of nations and
~~maintain respect for the constitutional and other~~[the]{.underline}
rights of ~~all~~persons, including freedom of expression. Existing
[legal]{.underline} instruments, such as the *Council of ~~Europe~~[the
European]{.underline} Convention on Cybercrime*, offer the international
community a foundation from [which to build]{.underline}.[^58]

**27 A** [Given the current fears that information and communication
technologies could be used for purposes that are incompatible with
efforts to secure international stability and security and that could
have a negative impact on both the civil and military security of
States, and given also the need to prevent the use of information
resources or technologies for criminal or terrorist ends, the following
measures are required:]{.underline}

[1 the creation of appropriate mechanisms for increasing the level of
awareness regarding the importance of ensuring security in the area of
information and communication networks;]{.underline}

[2 examination of existing and potential threats to the security of
information and communication networks and of ways and means of
combating such threats;]{.underline}

[3 broadening of the scale of technical information exchanges and
international cooperation aimed at enhancing the security of information
and communication networks;]{.underline}

[4 a contribution to the efforts being made within the framework of the
United Nations system with a view to:]{.underline}

[-- assessing the status of information security, including harmful
interference or the abusive use of information and communication systems
and information resources;]{.underline}

[-- developing methods to combat infringements of security and
establishing organizations to provide an effective response in the event
of such infringements, as well as exchanging information and technical
facilities to that end;]{.underline}

[-- examining the possibility of developing, in the long term, an
international convention on security in the field of information
networks and communication networks.]{.underline}[^59]

**27 B** [Governments should develop principles and rules in their
national legislation, policy and practice on security, privacy and
consumer protection in order to create trust and confidence among the
users of the Internet. The OECD\'s guidelines on these matters
(Guidelines for Privacy Protection, Guidelines for the Security of
Information Systems, Guidelines for Consumer Protection in the Context
of Electronic Commerce, New Policy and Practical Guidance to Implement
the 1980 Privacy Guidelines on Global Networks) provide a minimal
standard and could be the basis for a global trust agenda.]{.underline}

[The WSIS should develop and endorse an instrument with principles and
rules based on these guidelines.]{.underline}

[Governments should, in collaboration with the business sector, adopt a
specific common policy against the inherently global threat of crimes
committed using information technology - cybercrime - through
legislation and international co‑operation. The Council of Europe\'s
Convention on Cybercrime lays down balanced standards and creates a
co-operation process open to all States.]{.underline}

[Governments should develop national data protection laws that strike a
fair balance between respect for the privacy of individuals and the free
flow of information between peoples. This balance is the essence of the
Council of Europe\'s Data Protection Convention, also open to all
States.]{.underline}

[The WSIS should develop and endorse an instrument with principles and
rules based on the Council of Europe\'s Convention on Cybercrime and its
Additional Protocol, as well as the Council of Europe\'s Data Protection
Convention and its Additional Protocol.]{.underline}[^60]

# 6) Enabling environment

28 **Good governance:** To maximize the economic and social benefits of
the Information Society, governments \[need to create/[should
foster\]]{.underline} a trustworthy, transparent, and non-discriminatory
legal, regulatory and policy environment, capable of[, on the one
hand,]{.underline} promoting technological innovation and competition,
[and, on the other hand, providing appropriate incentives to
favour]{.underline} the necessary investments, mainly from the private
sector, in the deployment of infrastructures and development of new
services:

-- Commitment and responsibility should be defined at the
[international,]{.underline} national and regional levels.

-- With the active participation of all stakeholders, [including
women,]{.underline} the development of an enabling environment should
give due regard to the rights and obligations of all stakeholders in
such areas as freedom of expression, consumer protection, privacy,
security, intellectual property rights, open-source solutions and
management of Internet addresses and domain names, while also
maintaining economic incentives and ensuring trust and confidence for
business activities.

[-- Recognize that there is an important role for science in developing
and implementing the new governance mechanisms that are necessary in the
information society.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 28:* **Good governance:** [With the active
participation of all stakeholders, the development of an enabling
environment should give due regard to the rights and obligations of all
stakeholders.]{.underline}[^61]

**28 A** [To maximize the economic and social benefits of the
\"information society\", developing countries need to create a clear and
effective legal, regulatory and policy environment, suited to their
national characteristics and needs. the promotion of local technological
development and digital inclusion should be factored in the national
policies.]{.underline}[^62]

**28 B** [The design and implementation of policy for development based
upon the utilization of ICTs should be guided by principles of equity
and universality, such as access for everyone everywhere, at a cost
truly within the reach of the public.]{.underline}[^63]

**28 C** [Policies should be conceived and implemented with the
participation of civil society and the private sector, taking into
account the public interest.]{.underline}[^64]

**28 D** [All countries should develop their statistical infrastructure
and guarantee high-quality, independent and free access to statistical
information. They should provide basic statistical indicators and
analysis on the developments of key dimensions of the Information
Society. Priority should be given to setting up coherent and
internationally comparable indicator systems.]{.underline}[^65]

29 **Market environment**: The availability of telecommunication
infrastructures and affordable telecommunications services and ICT
equipment are prerequisites for access and use of ICTs by all:

-- \[Competition, including in the local/[innovative approaches such as
competition, including the better use of the local\]]{.underline} access
network, should be promoted to drive down prices and to ensure the
ongoing modernization of networks and services.

-- Investment in rural communications should be encouraged through [the
availability of economic solutions and]{.underline}~~an~~ supportive
legal framework[, and attractive financial terms and fiscal
frameworks]{.underline}.

-- Duties levied on ICT hardware and software should be \[removed[/set
in order to provide affordable telecommunications services and ICT
equipment\]]{.underline}.

-- Monopoly in mass communication should be avoided and diversity in the
sources of information should be promoted.

-- In order to secure prompt settlement of disputes, alternative dispute
resolution (ADR) should be considered along with normal judicial
proceedings [as long as they respect the sovereignty of nations and
maintain respect for the constitutional and human rights of all persons,
including freedom of expression]{.underline}.

*Alternate bullet 5:* [Establishing an effective dispute settlement
system: Building trust for the development of the Information Society is
essential. Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR) should be considered
along with normal judicial proceeding, so that ICT users can effectively
and promptly resolve the disputes. ADR should be based on independence,
fairness and transparency in consideration of users\' affordability,
accessibility and the principle of settling the disputes between the
parties concerned.]{.underline}

[-- Local, small‑ and medium‑size enterprises should be
fostered.]{.underline}

[-- Nevertheless, competition is only one out of many ways to drive down
prices and to ensure the ongoing modernization of networks and services.
In several cases, an active involvement of governments through public
investments and programmes of development, it is of strategic
importance. Furthermore, international co-operation will be necessary to
assist developing countries facing special difficulties in the
fulfilment of this objective.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 29:* [The availability
of]{.underline}~~telecommunication~~ [ICT
infrastructures]{.underline}~~and affordable telecommunications services
and ICT equipment~~[and the provision of the services and equipment
offered by ICTs are prerequisites for accessing and using ICTs.
Consequently, in accordance with the legal provisions of each country,
the following should be promoted]{.underline}~~for all~~:

[-- Healthy competition]{.underline}~~Competition, including in the
local access network, should be promoted~~ [to drive down prices and to
ensure the ongoing modernization of networks and their
services.]{.underline}

[-- Investment in rural communications]{.underline} ~~should be
encouraged through an attractive legal framework~~.

-- [The removal of duties levied on ICT hardware and
software]{.underline} ~~should be removed~~.

-- ~~Monopoly in mass communication should be avoided and
diversity~~[Diversity in the sources of information]{.underline}
~~should be promoted~~.

-- ~~In order to secure prompt~~[Prompt settlement of disputes, through
alternative dispute resolution (ADR)]{.underline} ~~should be considered
along with normal judicial proceedings~~.[^66]

**29 A [Poverty reduction:]{.underline}** [In order to mainstream access
and effective use of ICTs by poor people, actors of the public and
private domain should envisage the following non-discriminatory actions
(as far as the competitive market is not able to ensure
it):]{.underline}

[-- create a regulatory environment which takes the specific needs of
poor people into account, by exempting service providers in rural areas
from operating fees, by asymmetric interconnection fees in promoting
rural-urban connections over urban-rural traffic, by tax exemption of
telecom equipment for rural areas, etc.;]{.underline}

[-- take positive actions in favour of poor people, in particular,
establish transparent national funds for universal access or an
equivalent measure to support effective ICT access in remote regions and
by marginalized people;]{.underline}

[-- promote the creation, dissemination and exchange of local, relevant
content, according to local needs;]{.underline}

[-- encourage direct and gender balanced representation of the poor (in
particular community based organizations, NGOs) in the national and
international arena (multilateral negotiations, NGO advocacy, media) and
empower local institutions and networks to combat poverty;]{.underline}

[-- ensure gender balanced services, notably by a women-inclusive
training policy and by respecting gender balance in employment for
ICT-related jobs;]{.underline}

[-- mainstream ICT attention in the elaboration and implementation of
Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP.]{.underline}[^67]

**29 B [Employment creation:]{.underline}** [Actors of the public and
private domain need to promote an enabling environment for the use of
ICTs in the productive sector in order to create employment, in
particular by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and support
start-ups in order to generate additional income.]{.underline}[^68]

**29 C [Research:]{.underline}** [Governments should encourage research
to develop a greater understanding of the role of ICTs in economic
growth and social development and to identify best practices revealing
ICTs\' impact on growth, development and their enabling factors. A sound
analytical base helps create a convincing case for the required policy
strategies and reforms likely to generate economic gains and social
benefits. Guidelines for policies that need to be put in place should be
developed by 2005*.*]{.underline}[^69]

30 **Standardization**: The development of the Information Society
\[must/[should]{.underline}\] be based on platforms of internationally
interoperable technical standards [accessible for all]{.underline},
accessible for all, and technological innovation in ICTs, as well as
systems to promote the exchange of knowledge at global, regional and
sub-regional levels, through any media.[^70]

31 **Spectrum management**: The radio frequency spectrum should be
managed in the public and general interest and in accordance with the
basic principle of legality, with full observance of national laws and
regulations and as well as relevant international agreements.

32 **Consumer protection:** The loss of privacy, [the loss of
consumers\' rights during commercial transactions,]{.underline} illegal
and harmful content and the protection of minors raise real consumer
fears. Assurance of the confidentiality of personal information is
essential in building the Information Society. [In addition, policies
and codes to address spamming are increasingly important for consumer
protection.]{.underline}[^71]

*Alternate 1 paragraph 32:* [**Consumer protection**: Offering
widespread advantages to consumers who access information and knowledge
through ICTs, and reducing significant risks without destroying the
advantages are essential in building the Information Society. There is a
real consumer fear concerning the loss of privacy, the fraudulent
practices and the protection of minors.]{.underline}

[• the confidentiality of personal information should be
preserved,]{.underline}

[• fraud, misrepresentation and unfairness by suppliers should be
avoided. Damages caused by failure to perform and defective products
should be recovered,]{.underline}

[• illegal and harmful content should not be created and
supplied.]{.underline}[^72]

*Alternate 2 paragraph 32:* [**Consumer protection:** Assurance of the
confidentiality of personal information is essential in building the
Information Society, as there is a real consumer fear concerning the
loss of privacy as well as in relation to the fight against illegal and
harmful content and the protection of minors.]{.underline}[^73]

**32 A [Spam:]{.underline}** [Spam is a significant and growing problem.
There is a need to examine options to help treat the problem such as a
holistic approach to restrict the activities of spammers and minimise
the damage they do, whilst still accommodating legitimate and
responsible direct marketing activities. This will involve ISPs playing
their part, both in educating their users and in dealing with spammers
and spamming activity. Countries need to cooperate to help detect,
prosecute or deter international scams using spam. More work is
necessary to counter the problem, requiring broad international
commitment, cooperation and resources.]{.underline}[^74]

33 **Internet governance:** [Internet governance has emerged as a key
issue of the information society.]{.underline} A transparent
[multilateral]{.underline} and democratic governance of the Internet
shall constitute the basis for the development of a global culture of
cyber-security. An \[international/[intergovernmental]{.underline}\]
organization should ensure multilateral, democratic and transparent
management of root servers, domain names and Internet Protocol (IP)
address assignment.[^75]

*Alternate paragraph 33:* [Internet governance should be multilateral
and transparent, taking into account the needs of the public and private
sectors as well as those of the civil society, and respecting
multilingualism. The coordination responsible for root servers, domain
names and Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment should rest with a
suitable organization.]{.underline}[^76]

**33 A** [The Internet is the base of the information society. The
internet must be considered a public, international domain. Every
country and every person have the right to be connected and to take full
advantage of the benefits offered by the internet. The administration of
root servers, domain names and internet protocol addresses must be under
the responsibility of a multilateral, democratic and transparent
international organisation. Full access to the mechanisms of internet
governance must be granted to developing countries.]{.underline}

34 **Intellectual property rights:** It is important to \[ensure a
balance between intellectual property rights (IPR) and the public
interest/[ensure fair balance between the interests of intellectual
property owners and those of the users of
information]{.underline}\]:[^77]

-- While IPRs play a vital role in fostering innovation in software,
e-commerce and associated trade and investment, there is a need ~~to
promote initiatives to ensure fair balance between IPRs and~~ the
interests of the users of information, while also taking into
consideration the global consensus achieved on IPR issues in
multilateral organizations.

[-- The extension of the term of protection of proprietary rights, and
the so-called \"dominio pagante\" (\"domaine public payant\"), should be
eliminated in order to achieve a balance.]{.underline}

-- An appropriate legal framework should be defined for the development
of a public domain of information and knowledge.

-- \[Protection against unfair use of indigenous knowledge should be
strenghthened/[Use of appropriate technology shall be promoted to share
personal scientific knowledge and pre‑prints and reprints written by
scientific authors who have waived their rights to payment/Appropriate
measures to protect against unfair use of Traditional Knowledge could be
explored.\]]{.underline}[^78].

[-- Ensure that any legal regime on database protection guarantees full
and open access to data created with public funding. Restrictions on
proprietary data should also be designed so as to maximize availability
for academic research and teaching purposes.]{.underline}

# 7) Promotion of development-oriented ICT applications for all

35 ICTs can support social and economic development. But it is also
important to ensure that traditional models are recognized and
respected, so that non-users of ICTs are not marginalized. The following
examples are intended to illustrate the potential for this.[^79]

36 **E-Government**: Public administrations
\[should/[shall\]]{.underline} use ICT tools [to provide better services
to its citizens and]{.underline} to enhance transparency, accountability
and efficiency - at all levels of government, and in particular at the
local level:[^80]

-- In the delivery of public services to citizens and to enterprises,
[including online access to legislation]{.underline}.

-- In the design of online services, adapted to the needs of citizens
and businesses.

-- In the better management of financial, human and public resources and
goods.

[-- Provide long‑term support for the systematic and efficient
collection, preservation and provision of essential digital data, e.g.
population and meteorological data, in all countries.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 36:* [Governments should, within their national
e-strategies develop e-government strategies as a tool to enhance
efficiency and effectiveness within government and to make public
processes (such as accounting and procurement) more
transparent]{.underline}

-- Policy guidelines on e-governance at local, regional and national
levels should be developed by 2005. They should focus on:

[*--* the necessary partnerships between the different levels of public
administration and how to collaborate more effectively across agencies
to address complex, shared problems]{.underline}

[-- how to build relationships with private sector partners]{.underline}

[-- how to enhance customer focus]{.underline}

[-- increased public participation in decision-making with the help of
ICT]{.underline}

[-- e-enabled access to publicly held information, social services and
justice]{.underline}

[-- the development of comprehensive cultural strategies and sustainable
spatial planning policies for the information society.]{.underline}[^81]

37 **E-business:** Enterprises, particularly SMEs, can use ICTs to
foster innovation, realize gains in productivity, fight against poverty,
reduce transaction costs and benefit from network externalities. [It is
important to cooperate with or support the existing forum such as GBDs,
in promoting e‑commerce]{.underline}:

-- Through the adoption of an enabling environment and based on a
widely-available [Internet access and]{.underline} broadband
infrastructure. Governments should seek to stimulate private investment,
new applications and content development and foster public/private
partnerships.

-- Governments should adopt a twofold approach: setting the rules and
using e-business in their interaction with the business community.

-- ICTs can be used to bring consumer benefits and satisfaction by
widening the choice of potential suppliers, beyond the constraints of
location. The private sector should help to raise awareness and to
ensure training on the specific issues related to e-business.

-- Use of digital technologies can enhance the role of enterprises in
promoting entrepreneurship, ~~liberalizing~~trade, accumulating
knowledge and upgrading skills, thereby increasing productivity, incomes
and jobs and promoting qualitative improvement of working life.

[-- E-business and e-commerce can largely contribute to the development
of micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),
which have a very important social function in job creation, especially
in developing countries. Governments, in partnership with the private
sector and civil society, must enable SMEs to take the opportunities
offered by e-commerce and e-business.]{.underline}

[-- Culture. ICT networks can provide cultural and national institutions
with the means to extend public access to their cultural
heritage.]{.underline}

[-- Appropriate measures to protect against unfair use of traditional
knowledge should be identified.]{.underline}

[-- International organizations, supported by both the public and the
private sector, should promote the benefits of international trade and
the use of e-business. Education and understanding of the use of such
trade to increase growth and wealth are key. International organizations
and regional trade bodies should press countries to adopt liberalized
tariff and quota policies and equitable and efficient treatment of goods
and services imported and exported. Governments in developing countries
should be encouraged to undertake basic policy reforms and should
understand how liberalization of their processes and policies assist
e-business to flourish both internationally and
domestically.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 37:* [**E‑business:** Enterprises, particularly
SMEs, can use ICTs to foster innovation,]{.underline} ~~realize gains
in~~[increase productivity,]{.underline} [reduce transaction costs and
benefit from network]{.underline}
~~externalities~~[capabilities]{.underline}:

[-- Through the adoption of an enabling environment and based on a
widely-available broadband infrastructure, Governments should seek to
stimulate private investment, new applications and content development
and foster public-private partnerships. Governments should adopt a
twofold approach: setting the rules and using e‑business in their
interaction with the business community.]{.underline}

[-- ICTs can be used to bring consumer benefits and
satisfaction]{.underline} ~~by widening the choice of~~ [to the extent
that they make it possible to expand the roster of potential suppliers,
beyond the constraints of location, within a framework of respect for
international treaties and the sovereignty of nations in regard to
cross‑border services. The private sector should help to raise awareness
and to ensure training on the specific issues related to
e-business.]{.underline}

-- Use of digital technologies can enhance the role of enterprises in
promoting entrepreneurship, ~~liberalizing trade,~~ the accumulation of
knowledge, the upgrading of skills, ~~thereby~~ increasing productivity
and generating income and decent work.[^82]

38 **E-learning:** Access to education and knowledge is essential for
economic, social and cultural development, and as a means of personal
empowerment, community development and \[business
efficiency/[effectiveness of economic activity\]]{.underline}. Without
neglecting traditional literacy, ICT networks have the potential to
offer new educational opportunities to all groups in all areas, and a
wider delivery of education [especially to those sectors of the
population who have less access to education]{.underline}:[^83]

-- E-learning should contribute to achieving universal primary education
worldwide through better delivery of
\[education/[training\]]{.underline} and better training of teachers,
and to offer improved conditions for lifelong learning, encompassing
people that are outside the \"normal\" education process, and for
improving professional skills. [Due to their lower rates of enrolment
and higher rates of attrition, women and girls should be targeted for
e-learning]{.underline}.

-- Implementation of affordable and universal educational programmes,
content, [regular and]{.underline} broadband [access]{.underline}
networks and hardware should be promoted.

-- The introduction and development of ICTs in various schools and other
learning institutions \[shall/[should\]]{.underline} be supported
through the \[establishment/[utilization\]]{.underline} and maintenance
of a human resources network that institutionalizes the ongoing training
of teachers and instructors, who are the backbone of innovation.

-- Advantage \[shall/[should\]]{.underline} be taken of best practices
to create high-quality, [gender-sensitive and]{.underline} readily
accessible teaching material from all over the world to facilitate
knowledge transfer to the national level.

-- Special attention \[shall/[should\]]{.underline} be devoted to
multilingual training and to the use and development of [language
software including]{.underline} translation software.

[-- In small, remote communities, ICTs could ensure that youth have
access to comprehensive and varied training programmes, which would
enable local teaching establishments to be maintained in spite of the
small number of students.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 38:* **E‑learning:** Access to education and
knowledge is essential for economic, social and cultural development,
and [as]{.underline} a means of personal ~~em~~power~~ment~~, community
development and business efficiency. Without neglecting traditional
[literacy]{.underline}, ICT networks have the potential to offer new
educational opportunities to all groups [in all areas]{.underline}, and
~~a wider delivery of education~~[greater educational
capacity]{.underline}:

-- [E-learning]{.underline} should contribute to achieving universal
primary education [worldwide through]{.underline} better
[delivery]{.underline} of education and [better training]{.underline} of
teachers, and [to offer improved]{.underline} conditions for lifelong
learning, [encompassing people]{.underline} that [are]{.underline}
outside the \"normal\" education process, [and for
improving]{.underline} professional skills.

-- Implementation of ~~affordable and~~ [universal]{.underline}
educational programmes, content, broadband networks and hardware should
be promoted.

-- The introduction and development of ICTs in schools and
[learning]{.underline} institutions ~~shall~~[must be
supported]{.underline} through the establishment and maintenance of a
human resources network that institutionalizes the [ongoing]{.underline}
training of teachers and instructors, who are the [backbone]{.underline}
of innovation.

-- [Advantage]{.underline} ~~shall~~[must be taken of best
practices]{.underline} to create high-quality teaching material, readily
accessible all over the world in order to facilitate knowledge transfer
to the national level.

-- Special attention ~~shall~~[must be devoted to multilingual
training]{.underline} and to the use and development of translation
[software]{.underline}.

**38 A** [Particular attention should be given to children and the means
of improving their perspectives for the future through technology
enhanced or supported education, adaptation of curricula to the changing
requirements of the job market and skills programmes for digital
literacy and technical capacitation.]{.underline}[^84]

**38 B** [Actions should aim at promoting universal access to knowledge
via high quality education, including distance learning for under-served
areas, non-formal education and teacher training adapted to the
specificities of each region. special projects for citizens in active
use of ICTS, for the achievement of broader digital literacy and the
creation of a culture of life-long learning in ICT deployment are also
very important initiatives.]{.underline}[^85]

**38 C** [Clear strategies must be developed in all countries, taking
into account different regional structures, with the aim of ensuring
that all citizens have the knowledge necessary to live, work, and
develop their potential in the new knowledge-based society, while
understanding that the use of ICTs and, in particular, internet access
are not luxuries or a more effective path to consumption, but tools and
vehicles for increasing access to high quality education, welfare and
citizenship.]{.underline}[^86]

**38 D** [ICTs can accelerate the education of marginalized population
groups and those living in extreme poverty, with the support of
international organizations, NGOs and the private sector, stimulating
the creation of local opportunities.]{.underline}[^87]

39 **E-health:** \[Access to health‑care information and services is \[a
basic right/[essential\]/]{.underline} ~~Access to healthcare
information and services is a basic right.\]~~ Many countries lack
adequate healthcare facilities and personnel, particularly in rural and
remote areas. ICTs should be incorporated on a mass scale in the field
of health care [and hygiene]{.underline} with a view to improving
resource use, patient satisfaction, personalized care, and the
coordination of public health-care systems, private institutions and the
academic sector:[^88]

-- ICTs should be used to promote social inclusion of all members of
society by enabling equitable access to healthcare services, [especially
for women who are primary health‑care providers for their
families,]{.underline} as well as empowering citizens to better manage
their own health and to participate more effectively in the healthcare
process.

-- Innovative solutions and options \[must/[should\]]{.underline} be
devised for providing health services to under-served areas.

-- Another e-health priority \[shall/[should\]]{.underline} be the
prevention, treatment ~~and~~ monitor and control of the spread of
dangerous and \[contagious/[infectious\]]{.underline} diseases -
specifically HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria - in particular, through
the creation of a common information system [which includes the specific
needs of women]{.underline}.

[-- ICT should be used for the preparation and dissemination of
accessible information that strengthens prevention programmes and
promotes women\'s and men\'s health.]{.underline}

-- ICTs can be used to provide e-health supports to specific groups
(such as the elderly, the chronically ill and children).

-- An ICT-based e-health network should be established to provide
medical assistance following humanitarian disaster and emergencies.

-- A system should be established to provide e-health services to the
populations in remote regions of the globe.

*Alternate paragraph 39:* **[E-health:]{.underline}** Access to
health‑care information and services is a basic right. Many countries
lack [adequate health‑care facilities]{.underline} and personnel,
particularly in rural and [remote areas]{.underline}. ICTs should be
incorporated on a mass scale in the [field of health care]{.underline}
with a view to improving resource use, patient satisfaction,
[personalized care,]{.underline} and the coordination of [public
health-care systems,]{.underline} private institutions and the academic
sector:

-- ICTs [must be used to promote]{.underline} social inclusion of all
members of society by enabling equitable access to health care,
including preventive medicine.

-- Innovative solutions and options must be devised for providing health
services to underserved areas.

-- E-health priorities shall include the prevention, treatment,
monitoring and control of the spread of dangerous and contagious
diseases - specifically HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria
[through]{.underline} the creation of a common information system.

-- ICTs [can be used]{.underline} to [provide e-health
support]{.underline} to specific groups ([such as the
elderly]{.underline}, the chronically ill and children).

-- An ICT-based [e-health]{.underline} network [must]{.underline} be
established to [provide]{.underline} medical assistance following
humanitarian disaster and emergencies.

-- A system [must]{.underline} be established to provide e-health
services to regional populations.

-- The portability of information that includes electronic clinical
files is an unavoidable and urgent objective. All individuals should
have a single electronic clinical record covering their entire lives,
from birth to death. To that end, the governments of countries
signatories to the Summit shall undertake to adapt their legislation and
standards with a view to making the electronic clinical file valid in
law. They shall also undertake to pursue the adoption of a global
technical standard for the exchange of data between the information
systems of all public and private health institutions.[^89]

**39 A** [ICTS can make sound scientific and technical information
available to health workers. telehealth can connect remote populations
and under-served groups to better services, thereby complementing
traditional forms of public health care.]{.underline}[^90]

**39 B** [Health services in most developing countries are concentrated
in urban areas, being far and fewer in rural, remote or poor regions.
this represents a profound imbalance between urban-rural and rich-poor
areas in terms of availability, quality, density of specialists,
facilities and more advanced treatments.]{.underline}[^91]

**39 C** [Technological convergence supports services, at affordable
costs, which have the potential to improve health care, decentralizing
and expanding their coverage to populations that previously did not have
access to them because they lived in remote areas, where medical staff
and facilities were unavailable.]{.underline}[^92]

**39 D** [It should be promoted greater access to information networks
for governments, health professionals and institutions, industry and
civil society, through international cooperation initiatives and the
creation of specific funds.]{.underline}[^93]

40 **E-employment:** ICTs can provide tools for new job creation and
enhance competitiveness and productivity through teleworking, enterprise
networking and efficient linking of job seekers and employers. Best
practices and new labour laws for e-workers and e-employers [built on
principles of social justice and gender equality]{.underline} should be
developed at the international level. The role of the ILO is fundamental
in this respect. Telecommuting should be promoted to allow the best
brains of the developing world to live in their societies and work
anywhere/ ~~Telecommuting should be promoted to allow the best brains of
the developing world to live in their societies and work anywhere~~.
[Opportunities to increase women\'s employment through telework and
telecommuting should be supported.]{.underline}[^94]

**40 A** [Safe and healthy, secure and fair working conditions, built on
principles of social justice and gender equality, to be enjoyed by all
workers in the Information Society.]{.underline}[^95]

**40 B** [ICTs have the potential to foster economic growth and boost
job creation. ICTs promote corporate innovation and modernization,
especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, providing access to
new business opportunities, and thereby facilitating the creation of new
and better employment.]{.underline}[^96]

**40 C** [The portion of a country\'s population which has the potential
to be economically-active and, in particular, that part of the
population whose access to the labour market is restricted owing to
unemployment, underemployment, age, health, or social status can greatly
benefit from the potential of ICTs. youth employment is of special
relevance in developing countries due to nature of their population
dynamics.]{.underline}[^97]

**40 D** [ICTs-led transformations, however, may cause the suppression
of many employment posts, in particular those associated with
traditional means of managing information. providing unemployed workers
with the necessary educational and economic means towards their
integration into the information society is a task to be undertaken by
governments, in partnership with the private sector, civil society and
international organizations.]{.underline}[^98]

**40 E** [ICTs imply restructuring and reengineering of enterprises,
modifying the concept of employment by facilitating and streamlining the
interface between employers and employees, or between those seeking and
those offering personal services. countries, in particular developing
ones, need to modernize their legal, regulatory and policy environment
in order to maximize the economic and social benefits of the information
society, while preserving fundamental labour rights and
guarantees.]{.underline}[^99]

41 **E-environment:** \[Systems should be established to prevent
man-made disasters, using ICTs to monitor the \[operators of
production/[the environmental impact caused by production\]]{.underline}
and transport systems ~~that pose the gravest potential threats to the
environment,~~ [as well as to forecast natural
disasters]{.underline}/Systems should be established to prevent man-made
disasters, using ICTs to monitor the operators of production and
transport systems ~~that pose the gravest potential threats to the
environment~~[\].]{.underline}

**41 A** \"[There is a need to set priorities and develop the uses of
ICTs, for development in agriculture and early warning systems, for
example.]{.underline}\"[^100]

**41 B** [Environmental monitoring resulting from data collection and
data analysis should be promoted to allow governments, the business
sector and civil society to face the state of their own \[local\]
environment and undertake actions - based on information - to prevent
further environmental degradations. To be efficient, this has to be done
on a regular basis and has to be accessible to all stakeholders i.e.
governments, the business sector and civil society.]{.underline}[^101]

**41 C [Environmental data dissemination:]{.underline}** [The use of
ICTs in a sustainable environmental protection strategy encompasses
environmental data finding, environmental data analysis and
environmental monitoring.]{.underline}

[Environmental data finding, analysis and monitoring provide the world
community with improved access to meaningful data and information, and
help increase the capacity of governments to use environmental
information for decision-making and action planning for sustainable
human development.]{.underline}

[Relevant international institutions should thus develop a strategy for
the use of ICTs for sustainable development and as an effective
instrument to help achieve the MDGs. The strategy should be ready by
2005.]{.underline}

[Governments and the private sector should develop different instruments
that can help to extract the maximum environmental benefits from ICTs
and speed the development of sustainability solutions throughout
society. These instruments should be ready for implementation by
2005.]{.underline}[^102]

**41 D [Sustainable consumption and production patterns:]{.underline}**
[ICTs have to play a role in reducing environmental impacts and have to
be employed to overcome unsustainable consumption and productions
patterns. This has to be done by means of dematerialization and thus
reducing the use of natural resources and waste, elimination of
unnecessary standby losses of ICT equipment and ICT systems as well as
an improved lifecycle.]{.underline}[^103]

# 8) Cultural identity and linguistic diversity, local content and media development

42 **Cultural and linguistic diversity.** Linguistic and cultural
diversity enriches the development of society by giving expression to a
wide range of different values and ideas. For this purpose:

-- Information [and applications]{.underline} should be presented in the
language and cultural context most familiar to the user, thereby further
encouraging the use of ICTs.

-- To foster mutual understanding, diversity of cultural expression
should be preserved and promoted, through the creation of varied
information content and the digitization of the educational, scientific
and cultural heritage.

-- ICTs should be used to help preserve diversity and indigenous
knowledge and traditions.

-- Means should be developed for enabling access to information
resources in different languages, in particular online translation
tools.

-- Means should be developed for processing information in local
languages: for instance, standard character sets and language codes,
dictionaries, general and application software.

-- Non-written languages should be preserved by supporting the use of
digital audio.

[-- Tools should be developed to evaluate the social impact of ICTs and
contribute to the eradication of poverty. this should be done with the
involvement of all stakeholders, including the poor themselves, both in
northern and southern countries.]{.underline}

[-- Technologies should be adapted to suit different
cultures.]{.underline}

-- Governments should create cultural policies with a legal framework
and where necessary financial support for the protection, promotion and
enhancement of cultural diversity and cultural heritage within
information society.

-- Governments should promote technologies available in the areas of
translation, iconographies and voice-assisted services in order to
permit all different cultures to mix with each other in the information
societies and in this way to develop their own identity without being
forced to abandon it.

-- Governments should safeguard the cultural heritage as a common trust,
and keep it accessible as a living part of today\'s culture. Standards
for its preservation, enhancement, and exploitation, making full use of
the potential of ICT, should be developed by 2005.

-- Governments should promote better, wider and more equitable use of
ICT at all levels of lifelong learning, and develop policies to support
the use of digital material for educational and other social purposes.

*Alternate paragraph 42:* **Cultural and linguistic diversity.**
Linguistic and cultural diversity enriches the development of society by
giving expression to a range of different values and ideas. Accordingly:

-- Information must be presented clearly and precisely in the language
and cultural context most familiar to the user, thereby further
encouraging the use of ICTs.

-- To [foster]{.underline} mutual understanding, diversity of cultural
expression [should]{.underline} be preserved and promoted,
[through]{.underline} the creation of varied information content and the
digitization of the educational, scientific and cultural heritage.

[--]{.underline} All [citizens]{.underline} should have access to
services provided via sound and television broadcasting stations the
content of which meets their need for broadcasts that are relevant to
their own cultures and languages, in accordance with the law of each
country.

-- ICTs [should be used]{.underline} to help preserve ethnic and
cultural diversity and traditional knowledge.

[--]{.underline} Means should be found to allow access to information
resources in different languages, particularly online translation tools.

-- Means should be developed for enabling access to information
resources in different languages, in particular online translation
tools.

-- Means should be developed for processing information in local
languages: for instance, standard character sets and language codes,
dictionaries, general and application software.

-- Non-written languages should be preserved by using audio
support.[^104]

43 **Content:** Creation of local content should be supported:

-- Public[-private]{.underline} policy should foster the creation of
varied information content, which helps to preserve and disseminate
local and national culture, language and heritage~~, and to safeguard
family and community cohesion~~.

-- Production and exchange of appropriate local content available in the
mother tongue of users is of vital importance.

-- Developing countries [and countries whose economy is in
transition]{.underline} \[must/[should\]]{.underline} have the capacity
for developing hardware and software, as well as content that is
relevant to different segments of population.

-- To make Web content more accessible, content referencing should be
encouraged, based on public/private partnership.

-- As the first level of contact between administrations and their
citizens, local authorities have an important role to play in local
content development, digital archives, diverse forms of digital media,
content translation and adaptation. Those activities can also foster the
development of local communities.

-- Literacy software should be produced in local languages.

-- Archives should be preserved as the memory of humankind, and systems
should be developed to ensure continued access to archived digital
information and multimedia content.

-- Libraries, ~~and~~archives, [museums and other cultural
institutions]{.underline} should be supported as content providers.

[-- Content should be made available in forms accessible to the
non-literate.]{.underline}[^105]

[-- Recognition and support will be given to media based in local
communities, thus contributing to creation of local content, preserving
and developing cultural and linguistic diversity.]{.underline}[^106]

*Alternate paragraph 43:* **Content:** Creation of local content [should
be supported]{.underline} through:

-- Public policy [to]{.underline} foster the creation of varied
information content, which helps to preserve and disseminate local and
national culture, language and heritage, and to safeguard family and
community cohesion and the cohesion of national as well as the local
community.

-- Local creativity, mainly through the promotion of local content that
responds to local needs and particularities.

-- Production and exchange of [appropriate]{.underline} local content
[available]{.underline} in a user\'s mother tongue, which [is of vital
importance]{.underline}.

-- The creation and development of hardware and software, and of content
that is relevant to different segments of population.

-- The promotion of content referencing, based on public-private
partnership to make web content more accessible.

-- The development of local content, digital archives, and content
translation and adaptation through local authorities, which have an
important role to play as citizens\' first level of contact with the
administration.

-- [Literacy software]{.underline} [produced]{.underline} in local
languages.

-- The preservation of archives as the memory of humankind, and the
development of systems to ensure continued access to archived digital
information and [multimedia]{.underline} content.

-- Support for libraries and archives [as]{.underline} traditional
knowledge content providers.[^107]

[**43 A** Incentives for the development of national and regional
content can play an important role to promote, diffuse and protect
cultural identities.]{.underline}[^108]

44 **Media:** ICT and media should stimulate linguistic and cultural
diversity and facilitate exchange of local content:

-- Investment should be made in regional [and
community-based]{.underline} media content as well as new technologies.

-- Independent production and pluralistic media should be supported.

-- Appropriate multilateral television networks should be promoted.

-- Legal and administrative measures should be taken to prohibit undue
concentration of private ownership and control of media.[^109]

-- [**Infrastructure:** The governments shall support a generous
allocation of frequencies for local radio stations at reasonable prices.
Here a transmitter network concept should be used which takes into
account the federal, pluralist, democratic and cultural requirements of
the country.]{.underline}

-- [**Institutional framework:** Governments should preserve or develop
legislation which guarantees the independence and plurality of the media
and to transform the State media (radio, TV and other) into public
services which enjoy editorial independence. Governments should take
legal measures limiting the concentration of the media, so as to
guarantee diversified, pluralistic information sources. Governments
should provide free access on the internet to information of a public
nature. They should establish legislation on access to information and
the protection of public data, notably in the area of the new
technologies, and publish it on the home page of their
website.]{.underline}

[-- The media should adapt to other more recent forms of content
delivery the standards applicable to the broadcast media,
including:]{.underline}

[-- the separation of editorial content and advertising]{.underline}

[-- the protection of minors against illegal and harmful
content]{.underline}

[-- the prohibition of certain types of advertising.]{.underline}

[-- **Protection of workers:** the States take clear measures to ensure
that the international standards on working conditions and the right of
workers to organise and be represented are applied in all the media, old
and new.]{.underline}

[-- **Solidarity:** media professionals (employers and employees) commit
themselves to establish partnerships with the media in disadvantaged
regions or societies. For example:]{.underline}

[-- establishing twinning relationships between editorial
staff;]{.underline}

[-- developing exchanges of personnel;]{.underline}

[-- encouraging the development of citizens\' associations of
listeners/viewers/surfers for conducting a critical dialogue with their
media;]{.underline}

[-- supporting , the professional training of journalists, in the form
of courses and seminars, in using ICT and in adapting their role to a
changed environment with increased competition from non-professional
information providers.]{.underline} [^110]

# 9) Identifying and overcoming barriers to the achievement of the Information Society with a human perspective

**44 A** [Careful planning and execution as well as a dynamic follow-up
with the involvement of all actors should be able to identify and to
overcome barriers as they arise towards the achievement of the
information society.]{.underline}[^111]

**44 B** \"[Identifying, at the national and international levels, the
main obstacles to the building of the Information
Society.]{.underline}\"[^112]

# *B Objectives*

45 \[Examples of possible concrete and comprehensive actions could
include/[which could be included\]]{.underline}:[^113]

a\) **Benchmarks:** The following could serve as benchmarks for actions
to be taken:[^114]

-- all villages to be connected by 2010, with a community access point
by 2015;

-- all universities to be connected by 2005, all secondary schools by
2010 and all primary schools by 2015;

-- all hospitals to be connected by 2005 and health centres by 2010;

-- 90 per cent of the world\'s population to be within wireless coverage
by 2010 and 100 per cent by 2015;

-- all central governments departments to have a website and email
address by 2005 and all local governments departments by 2010.

[-- International effort in making available adequate Internet community
access equipment under USD 100 by 2010, and under US\$ 50 by
2015.]{.underline}

[-- International effort in making available adequate and very
economical infrastructure - wired or wireless (including cell phones) -
to provide an extensive coverage of large parts of countries
population.]{.underline}

[-- Increase the proportion of Internet content available in more than
one language.]{.underline}

[-- Increase the number of languages used in association with the new
information technologies.]{.underline}

[--]{.underline} Devise, for all interested countries, appropriate
universal access policies and strategies within two (2) years.

[--]{.underline} Organize, by 2005 at the latest, a
donors[\']{.underline} roundtable for the purpose of mobilizing the
necessary financial resources to implement NEPAD\'s ICT measures.

[--]{.underline} Provide all interested countries with appropriate
technical assistance for the preparation of network development plans
for broadband Internet and IP.

[--]{.underline} Implement (and evaluate) in LDCs pilot projects on
e-services/applications and IP within three (3) years.

[--]{.underline} Establish an international fund to finance the
initiation, study and implementation of ICT projects in rural areas,
particularly in the LDCs, within (3) years.

[--]{.underline} Provide, for a period of three years, technical and
financial assistance for the promotion and consolidation of subregional
centres of excellence and Internet training centres that can become
focal points for ICT research and development.

[--]{.underline} Establish, particularly in the LDCs, multipurpose
access points in order to provide a wide range of
e‑services/applications in rural areas.

[--]{.underline} Establish within one (1) year pluridisciplinary
national committees to be responsible for devising strategies for the
achievement of the Information Society and for supervising their
implementation.

[--]{.underline} Support countries, particularly developing countries,
in drawing up their e[‑]{.underline}strategies, providing guidance and
producing guidelines to that end.

[--]{.underline} Introduce tax and customs incentives for the provision
of ICT equipment to schools, health centres and local communities.

[--]{.underline} Establish, under the aegis of ITU, a mechanism for the
coordination of measures and activities carried out by international
bodies in order to facilitate the promotion and development of the
Information Society.

[--]{.underline} Establish a mechanism for the recovery of computers
and/or support existing mechanisms with a view to equipping schools,
health centres and local communities.

[--]{.underline} Devise and implement a mechanism to support the
development of voice and touch applications allowing the advantages of
ICTs to be extended to a large part of the population in developing
countries.

[--]{.underline} Prepare, by the end of 2005, a reference plan and
guidelines on securing information and/or networks.

[--]{.underline} Initiate and implement within three (3) years a
technical assistance programme for developing countries enabling them to
devise and implement security policies and strategies.

[--]{.underline} Produce a yearly inventory of the best technologies for
access to remote and rural areas in order to optimize ICT access costs.

[--]{.underline} Set up within three (3) years distance training centres
in the LDCs.

[--]{.underline} Provide significant support and backing for the
implementation of the African Language Academy[\']{.underline}s ICT
programme.

[-- Setting conducive legal and regulatory framework to promote
information society by 2005.]{.underline}

[-- All central government departments to have a website and email
address by 2005 and local governments by 2010.]{.underline}

[-- Building awareness of the use of ICTs to all segments of society by
2020.]{.underline}

[*Alternate 1 paragraph 9 (a):* **Benchmarks:** The following could
serve as benchmarks for actions to be taken:]{.underline}

[-- all villages to be connected by 2010, with a community access point
by 2015;]{.underline}

[-- all universities to be connected by 2005, all secondary schools by
2010 and all primary schools by 2015;]{.underline}

[-- all hospitals to be connected by 2005 and health centres by
2010;]{.underline}

[-- 90 per cent of the world\'s population to have wireless coverage by
2010 and 100 per cent by 2015;]{.underline}

[-- all central government departments to have a website and e‑mail
address by 2005 and all local government departments by
2010.]{.underline}[^115]

[*Alternate 2 paragraph 9 (a):* Governments should aim to make sure that
all information available to citizens in electronic form is available in
data formats according to open, flexible and interoperable international
standards by 2005.]{.underline}

[-- Governments should encourage research on the advantages and
disadvantages of open source software, in particular on its use by
government agencies. Results of this research should be made available
by 2005.]{.underline}

[-- To guarantee transparency and access to information, governments
should develop strategies for their information and records management
on national and local levels by 2005.]{.underline}

[-- Internationally harmonized concepts, definitions and standard
indicators that would guide measurements for international comparability
should be developed by 2005.]{.underline}

[-- Governments should encourage further research on:]{.underline}

[-- the significance of the ICT sector and the macro impacts of ICTs on
aggregate measures, particularly on productivity.]{.underline}

[-- the access to, and the actual use of, ICTs in order to obtain a
clearer picture of the digital divide.]{.underline}

Results of this research should be made available by 2005.

[-- The WSIS should adopt guidelines that will assist in the development
of internationally compatible statistical measurement.]{.underline}

[**Social cohesion:** In order to overcome the obstacles, which are
often created by new technologies, and to ensure the inclusion of
vulnerable groups in the Information Society, Governments should
envisage the following actions:]{.underline}

[-- To support over the next ten years research and development
programmes which promote the production and distribution of assistive
technology (software, hardware and working methods) and help people with
disabilities to access ICT and make the best use of it.]{.underline}

[-- All internet websites to be accessible for the blind and visually
impaired through appropriate standards for page design and through audio
description of graphic elements by 2005.]{.underline}

[-- National governing/regulation bodies for telecommunication and
information technology to have a top-level delegate by 2005, assigned to
maintain regular contact with the organizations of the disabled,
especially with organizations of the deaf and the blind, and to make
sure that the special requirements for the disabled are recognized and
implemented in national laws and regulations.]{.underline}

[-- All countries to have a telephone relay service as part of the
universal service, which enables live communications around the clock
between hearing people and deaf people/ hard of hearing people/people
with speech problems. The telephone relay service should in operation
for text communication systems not later than 2005, and for video
communication systems not later than 2010.]{.underline}

[-- The television stations take into account the information
requirements of deaf and hearing impaired people in that an appropriate
proportion of their programmes are subtitled or signed.]{.underline}

[-- The television stations take into account the information
requirements of blind and visually impaired people in that an
appropriate proportion of their programmes are supplemented with video
description.]{.underline}

[-- By 2005, international organizations should develop their own
strategies for the use of ICTs for sustainable development and as an
effective instrument to help achieve the Millennium Development
Goals.]{.underline}[^116]

b\) **E-strategies:** National e-strategies, including the necessary
human capacity-building, should be developed for all countries within
three years.

c\) **Global Digital Compact:** A \"Global Digital Compact\" should be
launched to create a new pattern for partnership and interaction between
governments and non-governmental actors, based on division of labour,
specialized responsibilities and, the identification of specific and
common interests. It would aim at achieving shared ICT development
goals. Governments would create a stimulating regulatory environment and
fiscal incentives while business would bring in technology and simple
applications. Non-governmental organizations would undertake awareness
campaigns and work at community level, etc. This model could start from
the institutional relationships already existing in ITU, with ITU as
coordinator.

d\) **Digital development index:** A composite ICT Development (Digital
Opportunity) Index should be launched and gradually developed. It could
be published annually, or every two years, in an ICT Development Report.
The index could show the ranking of countries while the report would
present analytical work on policies and their implementation. ITU could
coordinate this activity, drawing upon the existing experiences in
various organizations, universities, think-tanks etc.

e\) **Handbook on good practices and success stories**: A \"Handbook on
good practices and success stories\", could be developed and launched,
based on a compilation of contributions from all stakeholders, in a
concise and compelling format. The Handbook could be re-issued
periodically and turned into a permanent experience-sharing exercise.

f\) **Training content workers:** Content workers such as archivists,
librarians, scientists, teachers and journalists - should be equipped
and trained, making use of the expertise and operational capacity of the
relevant international professional organizations.

g\) **Curriculum revision:** The curricula of the primary and secondary
schools should be revised in all countries, within three years, in order
to meet the challenges of the Information Society.

h\) **World languages on the Internet:** The necessary technical
(software and hardware) conditions, should be created to permit all the
world's languages to be present and used on the Internet.

# *C* \[*~~Strategies, programmes, methods for implementation~~/[Strategic]{.underline} programmes and methods [for implementing them]{.underline}*\]

46 Governments, the private sector, civil society, the media and
multilateral organizations all have a role in the evolution towards an
Information Society[, supported by ICTs and traditional communication
media.]{.underline}[^117]

*Alternate paragraph 46:* [In order to reach the above objectives and
priorities, the measures outlined in the Action Plan need to be
implemented at national, regional and international levels.]{.underline}

[-- the application of the Action Plan must be the subject of a
timetable, so that during the second phase of the WSIS it will be
possible to measure the progress which has been made.]{.underline}

[-- The Action Plan needs to be implemented by all stakeholders:
governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil
society. It is therefore essential that all stakeholders are involved in
designing and implementing the Action Plan.]{.underline}

[-- Governments must invest adequate time, resources and commitment in
building robust legal, policy and institutional frameworks, must develop
appropriate tools and evaluate their own performance in engaging
citizens in policy-making.]{.underline}

[-- In engaging in a multi-stakeholder dialogue, governments must ensure
that:]{.underline}

[(1) Information (defined as a one-way relation and considered as a
precondition) is complete, objective, reliable, relevant, easy to find
and to understand;]{.underline}

[(2) Consultation (defined as a two-way relation and recognised as
central for policy making) has clear goals and rules defining the limits
of the exercise and government\'s obligation to account for its use of
citizens\' input; and]{.underline}

[(3) Participation (defined as partnerships with government) provides
sufficient time and flexibility to allow for the emergence of new ideas
and proposals by citizens, as well as mechanisms for their integration
into government policy-making processes.]{.underline}

[-- The WSIS is invited to adopt guiding principles for engaging
citizens in policy making.]{.underline}

[-- All governments should establish a structured multi-stakeholder
dialogue involving all relevant actors, including the business community
and civil society by 2005.]{.underline}

[-- New and innovative forms of partnerships at all levels and between
all stakeholders, such as Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), will be a
key ingredient in the successful implementation of the Action Plan. Each
country should establish at least one successful PPP by 2005 as a
showcase for future action.]{.underline}

[The core of the implementation will be at national level. Thus,
national e-strategies are the key towards reaching the goal of
establishing a truly global information society.]{.underline}

[The development of national strategies should be based on the exchange
of international best practices, benchmarking and peer
review.]{.underline}

[Peer review is a powerful tool to create awareness of a country\'s
actual performance towards achieving an Information Society for its
citizens. It is the systematic examination and assessment of the
performance of a State by other States with the ultimate goal of helping
the reviewed state improve its policy-making, adopt good practices, and
comply with established standards and principles. The examination relies
heavily on mutual trust among the States involved in the review, as well
as their shared confidence in the process. An individual country peer
review of e-strategies could relate to economics, governance, education,
innovation systems, enterprise, e‑government and other policies and
practices. The performance of a reviewed state can be assessed according
to criteria such as policy recommendations, specific indicators and
benchmarks, and legally binding principles. The review typically moves
through the three procedural phases of preparation, consultation, and
finally, assessment. Use could be made of the OECD experience in the
review of many policy domains for its members. This expertise could be
made available in helping design reviews for national e-strategies in
co-operation with the countries concerned and with relevant
international and regional bodies.]{.underline}

[-- All countries should, with the involvement of all stakeholders,
design national e-strategies by 2005. They should be linked explicitly
to national economic and development plans.]{.underline}

[-- A peer review mechanism should be established by
2005.]{.underline}[^118]

**46 A** [Every country should, through its government, put in place a
suitable policy to ensure that its legal and educational framework will
keep pace with technological and legal advances in the Information
Society as they occur.]{.underline}[^119]

47 **Governments** have a particular role in setting and implementing
comprehensive, forward-looking and sustainable e-Strategies, adapted to
the specific requirements of different communities and reflecting the
stage of development and the structural characteristics of the national
economy. Such strategies should include:

-- Establishing regulatory frameworks.

-- Renewing models for public [sector]{.underline} action and actively
shaping the transformation towards an Information Society.

-- Preparing the future generation for the Information Society, and
creating an environment of continuous learning.

-- Ensuring the \[~~full ownership by all stakeholders of~~[effective
participation of all stakeholders in]{.underline}\] the e‑strategies
that are elaborated.[^120]

[-- Governments becoming model users of new technologies and ICTs to
improve the quality and delivery of government
service.]{.underline}[^121]

*Alternate paragraph 47:* **Governments**[have a]{.underline}
fundamental [role in implementing]{.underline} e‑strategies, adapted to
the specific requirements of [different]{.underline} communities and
reflecting the stage of development and the structural characteristics
of the national economy. [The e‑strategy shall]{.underline} include:

-- Financing programmes for the acquisition of books and other
publications in libraries, and for the connection of end users to the
Internet, especially in developing countries [and in disadvantaged
groups in developed countries]{.underline}, as a contribution to
bridging the digital divide.

-- Establishing [regulatory]{.underline} frameworks.

-- Renewing models for public action and actively shaping the
transformation towards an Information Society.

-- Preparing the future generation for the Information Society, and
creating an environment of continuous learning.

[^122]

48 **Private sector** involvement is crucial for a sound and sustainable
development of infrastructures, content and application.

-- The private sector is not only a market player but plays a role in a
wider political and social context, i.e. helping countries to develop
ICTs and overcome the digital divide.

-- The private sector can be involved in practical partnerships for
innovative applications, for instance, in e‑government initiatives.

[-- The private sector remains responsible and accountable for fair,
open and transparent practices, the respect of the goals of this
Declaration and the promotion of a culture of peace.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 48:* [The commitment]{.underline} of the private
sector is crucial for a lasting and sustainable development of
infrastructures, content and applications:

• The private sector is not only a market player but plays a role in a
broad social context, for example helping countries to develop ICTs and
overcome the digital divide.

• The private sector can be involved in practical partnerships for
innovative applications, for instance, in e‑government
initiatives.[^123]

49 **Civil society** involvement is crucial for creating an equitable
Information Society, based on sustainable economic and social
development and gender \[~~justice:~~/[equality\].]{.underline}

-- Civil society involvement is vital in the take-up and social
acceptance of the Information Society.

-- Civil society can help to strengthen the value aspect in the triangle
of regulation, markets and values.

*Alternate paragraph 49:* [The commitment]{.underline} of civil society
is ~~critical~~ [important]{.underline} for creating an equitable
Information Society based on sustainable [social and]{.underline}
economic ~~and social~~ development ~~and gender justice~~:

• \[The commitment of civil society is vital in the take-up and social
acceptance of the Information Society\].

• Civil society can help to strengthen the value [facet]{.underline} in
the [triangle]{.underline} of regulation, markets and values.[^124]

50 **Mass media** - in their various forms - are recognized as an
essential requirement for freedom of expression and a guarantee of the
plurality of information:

-- The media provide an important means of fostering public information,
societal development and social cohesion.

[-- Through legislation and administrative measures, it must be limited
undue concentration of private ownership and control of national and
global media.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 50:* **Mass media** - in their various forms - [are
recognized as]{.underline} an [essential requirement]{.underline} for
freedom of expression and a guarantee of the plurality of information:

-- The media [provide]{.underline} an important means of disseminating
public information and fostering social development and cohesion.[^125]

51 **Multilateral organizations** have a key role in providing guidance,
facilitating peer dialogue, exchange of experience and [familiarization
with]{.underline}\[~~best~~/[good\]]{.underline} practices, offering
technical assistance in the design of e-Strategies ~~and, in some cases,
complementing the role of governments and other actors.~~

52 **E-strategies and performance monitoring**: To be effective beyond
the identification of goals, the e-Strategies should include timeframes,
indicators and mechanisms for monitoring performance based not only on
quantitative but also qualitative criteria:

-- In the case of smaller countries, regional strategies can contribute
to the emergence of larger markets, offering more attractive conditions
for private sector investment as well as for a competitive environment.

-- ICTs could be of particular relevance in the development context,
because they offer opportunities to public administrations, help attract
private investments and allow for leapfrogging using new and advanced
technologies.[^126]

*Alternate paragraph 52:* [**Performance monitoring**: To be effective,
beyond]{.underline} the identification of [goals,]{.underline} the
strategies [should]{.underline} include [time‑frames]{.underline},
indicators and mechanisms for monitoring performance based not only on
quantitative but also qualitative criteria and on community connectivity
indicators. In the case of smaller countries, regional strategies can
contribute to the emergence of larger markets, offering more attractive
conditions for private sector investment as well as for a competitive
environment. Furthermore ICTs could [be of particular
relevance]{.underline} in the development context, because they offer
opportunities to Public Administrations, help attract private
investments and allow for leapfrogging using new and advanced
technologies.[^127]

53 **Specific initiatives**: The development of an e‑strategy entails
understanding what to promote, where to promote it, and how to tailor
and implement activities to achieve maximum impact. This should
capitalize on existing national, regional and global efforts. Specific
initiatives could include:

-- Promoting long-term \[~~government spending on~~/[government
investment in\]]{.underline} R&D and higher education, with the aim of
mastering and adapting specific ICT solutions [and targeting the equal
participation of women]{.underline}.

-- \[~~Providing incentives~~/[Formulation of incentive
regimes\]]{.underline} and regulatory schemes that would enhance private
sector capabilities in terms of human resource development,
infrastructure and institution building.

-- \[~~Providing tax incentives~~/[Providing a regime of tax
incentives\]]{.underline} for start up ICT companies.[^128]

-- Fostering the scale-up of locally successful ICT-related projects
dealing with priority applications like health and education programmes.

-- Focusing part of the R&D programmes on low purchasing power markets,
including research on appropriate technologies and innovative marketing
and distribution mechanisms, including the taking advantage of the
diasporas.

-- Creating a network of IT consultants.

-- Developing a platform for showcasing applications.[^129]

[-- Developing a baseline of computer security safeguards that all
stakeholders must adopt in order to protect their computer
infrastructure.]{.underline}

[-- Adoption of a global initiative to recycle second-hand computers by
replacing some of their components with more modern parts, and resell
them for modest prices.]{.underline}

*Alternate paragraph 53:* [The development]{.underline} of a strategy
[links agreement on]{.underline} what to promote, where to [carry
out]{.underline} and implement activities [to achieve]{.underline}
maximum impact. [These should capitalize]{.underline} on existing
national, regional and global efforts. Specific initiatives
[should]{.underline} include:

-- [Promoting]{.underline} long-term government [spending]{.underline}
on R&D and higher education, with the aim of [mastering]{.underline} and
adapting specific ICT solutions.

-- Providing incentives and [regulatory schemes that would
enhance]{.underline} private sector capabilities in terms of human
resource development, infrastructure and [constraction
institutions]{.underline}.

-- Providing tax incentives for start up ICT companies.

-- Fostering the scale-up of locally successful ICT-related projects
dealing with priority applications like health and education programmes.

-- Focusing part of the R&D programmes on low purchasing power markets,
including research on appropriate technologies and innovative marketing
and distribution mechanisms, including the taking advantage of the
[diaspora]{.underline}.

-- Creating a network of IT consultants.

-- Developing a platform for showcasing applications.[^130]

# *D \[~~International cooperation and financing/~~International cooperation[;]{.underline} and financing\]*

54 **International cooperation**. Close international cooperation among
national authorities, stakeholders and international organizations in
all aspects of the Information Society is more vital today than ever.
[Government leaders of developing countries should raise the relative
priority of ICT projects in requests for international cooperation and
assistance on infrastructure development projects from developed
countries and international financial organizations]{.underline}:

-- To this end, advantage \[~~shall~~/[should\]]{.underline} be taken of
the opportunities offered by regional financial institutions and the UN
Regional Commissions.

*Alternate bullet point:* /[To this end, international financial
institutions and the UN Family shall work closely together to ensure
maximisation of synergies and the impact of resources, particularly
between the UN initiative and the Development Gateway initiative;
advantage shall also be taken of the opportunities offered by
international and regional financial institutions and the UN Regional
Commission.\]]{.underline}

-- Encouraging entrepreneurship is an important goal. For this, it is
necessary to establish certain basic structures, such as conductive
regulatory frameworks and access to market information for businesses.

-- Cyber-volunteer programmes should be encouraged, notably in relation
to NGOs, for basic ICT training to marginalized groups, or specific ICT
applications.

-- A cumulative knowledge process should be fostered by systematic
networking between grassroots initiatives, by creation of websites, by
facilitating exchange of information and experience, and through
dissemination of good practices.

*Alternate paragraph 54:*

54 **[International]{.underline} cooperation[; and
financing.]{.underline}** Establishing close international cooperation
between national authorities and international organizations related to
the Information Society is of vital importance. To that end:

[--]{.underline} It is necessary to identify, as a priority, the
cooperation arrangements offered by the international financial
institutions which afford the least developed countries an opportunity
to create the infrastructure they need to be able to ensure their access
to ICTs, since the Information Society requires effective incentives
that provide countries with a basis of certainty for their integration.

[--]{.underline} Resources should be granted to foster the creation and
development of information-related small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs).

-- Entrepreneurship should be encouraged. For this, it is necessary to
establish [certain]{.underline} basic structures, e.g.[ strengthen the
conducive regulatory]{.underline} framework and access to information
[markets]{.underline} for businesses.[^131]

\[Note: For the next paragraph 55, Financing, the following has been
proposed: 4 new bullets points, 3 alternate texts, 2 new paragraphs and
comments from three Member States\]

55 **Financing**: A commitment to financing the different initiatives
proposed in this action plan is an essential element in its successful
implementation. This will require innovative partnerships between the
public and private sectors:

-- It is proposed to create a digital solidarity fund. The international
community is called upon to provide technical and financial cooperation
at both the multilateral and bilateral levels, in particular with a view
to giving the opportunity to less developed countries to create their
ICT infrastructure.

-- Developed countries should make available the official development
assistance (ODA) commitments that they announced at the International
Conference on Financing for Development. All countries should comply
with all aspects of the consensus reached at that conference.

-- \[Developed countries that have not already done should take concrete
action to fulfill the target level of 0.7 per cent of their Gross
National Income as ODA. We encourage developing countries to build on
progress achieved in ensuring ODA is used effectively to help achieve
development goals and targets./[The countries represented at the
Conference call upon those developed countries that have not already
done so to take concrete action to fulfil the target of 0.7% of their
GDP as overall official development assistance for developing countries
and the target of earmarking 0.15% to 0.20% of GDP as official
development assistance for least developed countries as
agreed.]{.underline}\]

-- The unsustainable debt burden should be reduced through such actions
as debt relief and as appropriate, debt cancellation and other
innovative mechanisms geared to addressing the debt problem of
developing countries, in particular the poorest and the most heavily
indebted ones.

-- The private sector could commit itself to provide ICT goods and
services at preferential conditions for specific categories of users,
notably not-for-profit organizations directly involved in poverty
alleviation.[^132]

[-- Prepare strategies to promote investment for the development of ICTs
in developing countries, particularly in rural areas.]{.underline}[^133]

[-- Establish in developing countries a mechanism to finance universal
access (such as a universal access fund) in order to narrow the digital
divide, especially in rural areas.]{.underline}

**Sustainable telecom public service and Universal Access finance
mechanisms:**

[-- Governments should establish national funds to finance the roll-out
of Universal Access, and to support it, when necessary, by international
financing funds. The funds should be part of national strategies to
deploy Universal Access. The strategy should define the extent of a
national Universal Access, and include licences for Universal Access
obligation, taking particularly into account the integration of
disadvantaged persons or communities.]{.underline}

[-- The deployment of Universal Access needs to be done in a transparent
manner and in cooperation with private sector and civil society for the
benefit of all stakeholders.]{.underline}

[-- The deployment of Universal Access is incumbent upon the private
sector in possession of a licence for Universal Access
obligation.]{.underline}

[-- The funds should be guided by the following principles and
rules:]{.underline}

[-- Legal rules: establishing the legal and regulatory framework
necessary to transparently set up and manage the fund as well as the
principle of awarding licences for Universal Access
obligation.]{.underline}

[-- The rules of competition: compliance with the rules of transparency,
non discrimination and free competition in the award of licences and the
management of the fund.]{.underline}

*Alternate 3 paragraph 55* : *Alternate 1 paragraph 55*: ~~It is
proposed to create a digital solidarity fund~~

-- [The private sector should be encouraged to provide ICT goods and
services at preferential conditions for specific categories of users,
notably not-for-profit organisations directly involved in poverty
alleviation.]{.underline}

-- The unsustainable debt burden should be reduced through debt relief
and debt cancellation.

Australia suggests deleting the rest of current text and inserting*:*
[Debt relief must be focused on the poorest countries demonstrating a
commitment to the policy reforms needed to reduce poverty. We support
the World Bank/IMF enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)
Initiative which involves participation by multilateral and bilateral
creditors and ensures a comprehensive and coordinated approach to debt
relief in heavily indebted poor countries.]{.underline}[^134]

*Alternate 2 paragraph 55* :

[-- The international community is called upon to respond appropriately
through technical and financial cooperation at both the multilateral and
bilateral levels to the relative priority given by least developed
countries to the development of their ICT infrastructure.]{.underline}

...

[-- The Monterrey Consensus adopted by the International Conference on
Financing for Development recognized that the resources necessary for
development must be generated from both domestic and international
sources. Developing countries are encouraged to create domestic
conditions that are conducive both to generating domestic and attracting
international resources and to using these resources effectively for
development. For their part, developed countries are encouraged to both
provide the additional resources they signalled at the Conference and
work towards creating an international environment that is more
conducive to development.]{.underline}

-- Developed countries that have not already done should
~~take~~[make]{.underline} concrete efforts ~~action~~ to fulfill the
target level of 0.7 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product as ODA.

-- ~~The~~[Where]{.underline} unsustainable debt burden should be
reduced through such actions as debt relief, debt cancellation and other
innovative mechanisms geared to addressing the debt problem of
developing countries, in particular the poorest and the most heavily
indebted ones.[^135]

*Alternate 3 paragraph 55:* [**Financing:** A commitment to financing
the different initiatives proposed in]{.underline} this action plan is
[an essential element in its successful implementation. This will
require]{.underline} innovative partnerships between the public and
private sectors:

-- It is proposed to create a digital solidarity fund. The international
community is called upon to provide technical and financial cooperation
at both the multilateral and [bilateral]{.underline} levels, in
particular with a view to giving the opportunity to less developed
countries to create their ICT infrastructure.

-- This could include a commitment by the private sector to provide ICT
goods and services at [preferential]{.underline} conditions for specific
categories of users, notably not-for-profit organizations directly
involved in poverty alleviation.

-- Developed countries should [make available]{.underline} the official
development assistance (ODA) commitments that they announced at the
International Conference on Financing for Development. All countries
should comply with all aspects of the consensus reached at that
conference.

[^136]

**55 A** [New and additional sources of funding and their implementation
mechanisms are needed, in order to support national ict for development
strategies, including ICT infrastructure. Funding should also be based
on contributions from developed countries, international organizations,
NGOs and the private sector.]{.underline}[^137]

**55 B** [Mainstreaming ICTs into Strategies for Official Development
Assistance:]{.underline}

[-- ICTs should be fully mainstreamed into ODA strategies through more
effective donor information-sharing and co-ordination, and through
analysis and sharing of best practices and lessons learned from
experience with ICT-for-development programmes.]{.underline}

[-- There is a need for international cooperation, information-sharing,
harmonization of strategies and sharing of best practices in fostering
the growth of a global Information Society that includes and empowers
the poor, in the period from the Geneva 2003 first phase of WSIS to the
Tunis 2005 second phase.]{.underline}

[-- It will be essential to include the business community and civil
society in all efforts to design and deliver
ICT-for-development-programmes.]{.underline}

[-- The benchmark in ICT-for-development programmes, therefore, must
continue to be progress on the MDGs, on the alleviation of poverty, and
on the creation of vibrant markets and institutions in developing
countries. Access to ICTs alone is a poor proxy for these more
fundamental goals.]{.underline}

[-- A greater focus is needed on the contribution that ICTs can make to
the MDGs, and on the impact of donor programmes rather than their
inputs. Donors need to increase awareness of the potential of ICTs
within their organizations and should foster both sectoral and
cross-cutting approaches to integrating ICTs into development
programmes. In all these efforts, the focus should be not on technology
but on information, communication and knowledge as tools of development
and poverty reduction.]{.underline}

[-- A matrix of bilateral and multilateral ICT-for-development
strategies should be used as a point of departure for more comprehensive
efforts to share information about ICT initiatives, to measure more
clearly the various inputs to the ICT-for-development effort, and to
reduce overlap and unnecessary duplication of
efforts.]{.underline}[^138]

56 **Technology transfer:** It is important to facilitate access, and to
transfer knowledge and technology [without any
discrimination]{.underline} on concessional, preferential and favourable
terms to developing countries, as mutually agreed, [taking into account
the need to protect intellectual property rights]{.underline}, with the
objective of enhancing the technological capacities and capabilities of
developing countries, and improving their productivity and
competitiveness in the world market.

# *E Follow up*

57 **Indicators**: A realistic international monitoring and benchmarking
(both qualitative and quantitative) exercise, through comparable
statistical indicators, should be developed to follow up the
implementation of the action plan and to evaluate progress towards well
identified goals, in particular progress toward the Information Society.
Indicators and periodic reports may also provide a basis for
benchmarking, peer reviews and contribute to the dissemination of best
practices. [To increase efforts to compile statistics on ICT use
disaggregated by sex, develop gender-specific indicators on ICT use and
needs, and identify measurable performance indicators to assess the
impact of funded ICT projects on the lives of women and
girls]{.underline}.

[Evaluation of the Information Society: To effectively plan and
coordinate the development of the Information Society, indicators and
measurements that evaluate and compare the progress of penetration of
ICTs and their use by the population should be developed in cooperation
with the scientific community.]{.underline}[^139]

*Alternate paragraph 57:* **Indicators:** [A realistic international
monitoring and benchmarking (both]{.underline} qualitative and
quantitative) exercise, through comparable statistical indicators, could
be developed to follow up the implementation of the action plan To that
end, consideration should be given to the incorporation of new community
connectivity indicators which allow analysis of the development of
communities in which community connectivity is introduced, thus enabling
the real impact and effectiveness of public policies to be measured in
each country, particularly in the developing and the least developed
countries, for the purpose of evaluating progress towards the
Information Society.[^140]

**57 A** [Performance measurement is critical. Adequate planning at the
outset for benchmarking of results will provide a basis for all sectors
involved to monitor progress against agreed goals and to adjust their
activities to ensure that they are met.]{.underline}[^141]

**57 B** [Appropriate indicators and benchmarking should clarify the
magnitude of the digital divide, and keep it under regular assessment,
with the purpose of measuring the effectiveness of international
cooperation and transfer of technology mechanisms.]{.underline}[^142]

**57 C** [New indicators/methodologies should be studied and researched
with a view to improving assessment of itc impact, with particular
attention to their applicability in regards to the different levels of
social and economic development and national
contexts.]{.underline}[^143]

**57 D** [Methods for quantifying the digital divide, therefore, cannot
not be based solely on ICT density, infrastructure or consumption, but
must track global progress in the use of ICTs to achieve the UN
Millennium Declaration\'s social and development
goals.]{.underline}[^144]

**57 E** [To promote the effectiveness of the actions proposed in this
action plan, each country should designate an authority to be
responsible for the carrying out and follow-up of those actions, as well
as measuring the results achieved and proposing remedial actions where
necessary.]{.underline}[^145]

58 **\[~~Reporting~~/[Outcome of evaluation]{.underline}\]**:
International organizations and UN specialized agencies, particularly
ITU, \[~~shall~~/should\] assess and report regularly on universal
accessibility of ICTs and possible cases of discrimination. They
\[[should]{.underline}/~~shall\]~~ also ensure non-discrimination [based
on sex, race, age, language, ethnicity, culture, religion, or
disability]{.underline} for all members in their programmes, projects
and contractual engagements, with the aim of creating equitable
opportunities for the growth of ICT sectors of developing
countries.[^146]

*Alternate paragraph 58:* **[Reporting:]{.underline}** International
organizations and UN [specialized agencies, particularly]{.underline}
ITU, shall assess and report regularly on [progress towards the
Information Society.]{.underline} ~~universal accessibility of ICTs and
possible cases of discrimination. They shall also ensure
non-discrimination for all members in their programmes, projects and
contractual engagements, with the aim of creating opportunities for the
growth of ICT sectors of developing countries.~~

59 **\[~~Support for implementation~~/Support [for
implementation\]:]{.underline}** Organizations of the UN family should
support countries in the follow up on the ~~agreements adopted~~ [goals
established]{.underline} in this declaration and action plan.

**59 A Research Programmes**. [To support and encourage research
programmes to design, develop and adapt ICT infrastructure, tools and
applications that are responsive to the needs of the poor, including
women.]{.underline}[^147]

**\]**

# \[Section II[^148]

# Observers\' contribution to the draft Action Plan[^149]

**\[1\]** The Information Society is an evolving concept which
encompasses the traditional media of press, radio and television as well
as the new media brought into being through advances in ICTs.

# *A List of issues*

# 1) Information and communication infrastructure: financing and investment, affordability, development and sustainability

**\[2\]** *Add* employment *after* cultural aspects.

**\[3\]** Universal access: In order to achieve affordable and universal
access to the Information Society, including the traditional media, in
basic services, the following are essential:

-- Designing national network infrastructure.

-- Developing infrastructure for radio and television coverage.

-- Adoption of a combination of infrastructure technologies for building
IP-Public Data Networks, and Intelligent Networks.

-- Mobilization of renewable and decentralized energy sources as a
pre‑equisite for universal access to network infrastructures. Particular
attention must be given to rural and isolated communities.

-- Development of technology systems that are appropriate to local
environments to effectively bridge the digital divide, for example
community radio, local newsletters, and other forms of community and
non-profit media shall be privileged.

-- Support and encourage research programmes to design, develop and
adapt ICT infrastructure, tools and application that are responsive to
the needs of the poor, especially non-literate women.

**\[7\]** To reduce large investment and operation costs, a common use
of infrastructure is recommended for both telecommunication and radio/TV
information transport and distribution.

**\[9\]** Equitable tariff and quota structures for telecommunication
services (backbone, local access, telecommunication) should be created.

**\[10\]** Regional infrastructure:

-- It is imperative for Africa to rehabilitate and develop the existing
PANAFTEL network, and where necessary, complete it with new backbones to
create extensive African Interconnection Network (AIN). This network
should be completed by

International/Intercontinental access points to the global
telecommunications network. On the other hand, remote regions that are
too distant from terrestrial networks should have priority access to the
satellite services, particularly the RASCOM African satellite.

-- Regarding IP traffic, which is rapidly growing in the short term, a
 \"Gateway Internet Exchange\" (GIX) network must be designed at the
regional level as a priority, in order to keep intra-African IP traffic
within the continent, with the dual goals of fully leveraging the AIN
network and of reducing the volume of intercontinental traffic.

# 2) Access to information and knowledge

**\[12\]** Promote and guarantee access for all, starting from the
community level.

**\[12\]** Scientific information should be available, or at least
indexed, within a multilingual context.

**\[12 A\]** Open Access. Need to encourage:

-- Creation of content models whereby content in digital format is
freely available, while paper-printed versions or CD burned versions may
be sold by institutional or commercial channels.

-- Publishers to develop Open Access business models, whether these
models are commercial or not-for-profit.

-- Creation by scientists of not-for-profit Open Access Journals and
authors to submit their papers to Open Access Journals.

-- Existing subscription-based journals to turn to Open Access models.

-- Authors to write Open Access books and multimedia material for
research and education.

-- Authors to maintain a personal web page whereby all their research
findings and reports are freely available.

-- Creation of institutional Open Archives at the national and
international level.

-- Establishment of a programme funded by the UN (or its agencies) to:

-- Create a worldwide portal to Open Access journals and Open Access
books.

-- Ensure financial support to not-for-profit Open Access Journals.

-- Create a worldwide scientific Open Archive.

-- Distribute free CDs containing Open Access contents to transition
countries.

-- Provide financial support to the creation and maintenance of
institutional Open Access archives.

-- Encourage the creation and maintenance of mirror sites of Open Access
contents in institutions belonging to transition countries, in order to
save Internet connection costs.

-- Recommend that Member states should adopt national legislation making
it compulsory for scientists to deposit their published works in a
national or a UN funded world-wide Open Access archive.

-- Recommend that Member states should adopt national regulations making
it compulsory for scientists whose research is funded by public agencies
or by private foundations to publish in Open Access journals.

**\[12 B\]** Development of vocal and tactile e-applications.

**\[12 C\]** The traditional media will play an important role both in
promoting understanding of ICTs and in providing content for the new
media. Increased cooperation and partnerships are needed between
governmental and intergovernmental organizations, broadcasters, the
private sector and civil society, for effective design and
implementation of various initiatives, by giving priority to
locally-available human resources.

**\[13\]** Access to public domain information. Need to encourage:

-- Provision for increased access to ICTs and integration into
programmes that assist with poverty alleviation and the empowerment of
women and men.

-- Web pages of all public bodies should be fully accessible from any
kind of browser, including free software browser, and should follow
accessibility guidelines.

-- Awareness among civil society at large for the need to support an
independent, open-access public domain.

**\[14\]** Open-source/free software shall be adopted by all public
authorities and bodies:

-- Awareness of open-source/free software should be created, especially
in the developing countries.

-- Capacity in open-source/free software development should be built
through the development of incubator funding, a knowledge warehouse of
expertise in developing countries, development of regional and national
open-source/free software portals, and by ensuring that technical
experts in developing countries have full opportunity to participate in
the development of open-source/free software.

-- A \"Programmers Without Frontiers\" initiative, focused on
open-source/free software as applied to development needs, should be
launched and coordinated, under the auspices of the UN.

-- A collaborative network of open-source/free software technology tools
for civil society must be promoted.

# 3) The role of governments, the business sector and civil society in the promotion of ICTs for development

**\[17\] Cooperation among Stakeholders:** Promote corporate or employee
volunteering initiatives on ICTs for development to facilitate for the
private sector to share skills, expertise and resources, in order to
harness them in a constructive way in ICTs for development initiatives.

The civil society must:

-- Develop projects to disseminate digital culture among all social
categories, with a priority focus on the handicapped.

-- Be fully involved in the formulation and implementation of ICTs and
sustainable development strategies.

-- Develop projects that promote dialogue within and between
civilizations via electronic networks.

-- Establish associative networks and linkages between NGOs.

-- Help to develop distance-learning programmes.

-- Promote the value of partnership with representatives of the trade
union movement at all levels (international, regional, national, local,
and enterprise level) in working to bridge the digital divide. Trade
unions are both an important sector of civil society, and a core element
of global industry. Labour, together with civil society, business and
governments have to create a common movement to overcome the social and
the digital divide.

National government and local authorities must:

-- Promote and facilitate infrastructure building, provide training, and
create an enabling environment for ICT to be accessible for all, but
they should not play the role of regulators of information flow and
content.

-- Prioritize and promote local ICT initiatives to service local,
national and regional communities.

-- Reaffirm the role of a more transparent, participatory, and effective
democratic UN system as a truly legitimate forum for global governance.

-- Recommit to principles of open, transparent, decentralised and
accountable governance mechanisms at all levels, from the local to
global, and in all spheres of society, including those related to the
governance of information and communication systems.

-- Promote further research programmes on issues related to the goals
approved by the United Nations Millennium Assembly especially in the
developing countries.

-- Engage indigenous people as active in the Information Society through
multiple stakeholder intergenerational partnerships.

**\[18\]** *add* broadcasting *after* infrastructure

**\[19\] ICT manufacturing capabilities:** Developing programmes to
foster entrepreneurship including the uptake of ICT by SMEs with the
objective being to enable efficient business practices and further
promote universal access to ICTs and the Information Society.

# 4) Capacity building: human resources development, education, and training

**\[21\] ICTs in education:** Need to:

-- Develop and improve the capacities of local teacher and researchers
organisations by providing ICT training facilities in teacher training
and research institutions, with particular emphasis on developing
countries.

-- Develop affordable solutions in terms of hardware and software
tailored to the needs of all educational levels and to local conditions
while promoting the combination of various media, both traditional and
new.

-- Increase the resource allocation of governments to programmes
targeting the elimination of illiteracy, innumeracy and other learning
challenges that impede the ability of marginalized sectors of society
from fully accessing information necessary for their well-being.

-- Use ICT to increase women\'s economic literacy and their economic
empowerment and participation.

**\[21\]** Like the press, radio and television, and in partnership with
those media, ICTs can contribute to enhancing the quality of teaching
and learning, and the sharing of knowledge and information.

**\[22\]** **Capacity building for ICT use:** People must have enhanced
levels of ICT literacy and ICT skills to make the best use of the
Information Society:

-- Education systems and skills development programmes for all segments
of society should be created with the objective being that populations
have the skills necessary to reap the benefits of the Information
Society, including the use of ICT for education.

-- Youth can provide skills and commitment through volunteer and
community initiatives to use ICTs towards attaining the Millennium
Development Goals.

-- Computer literacy and education for all are vital elements of the
Information Society. Access to information can only be meaningful if
illiteracy is eradicated. At the same time the Information Society must
enhance the provision of quality education through lifelong learning
(primary, secondary, tertiary education, in-service education and other
forms of education), which provides for the ability to critically assess
and evaluate information.

-- Ensure that women are not disproportionately disadvantaged by the
working conditions and organizational climate common within the global
ICT industry, such as \"flexible\" employment practices.

-- Support training initiatives in information management and production
skills for grass roots organisations in developing countries.

-- Implementation of measures to ensure women\'s equal access to ICT
education, training and literacy by: Integrating ICT education in school
curricula based on gender equality; Realizing girls\' full participation
in science and technology education; Developing relevant distance ICT
education and training programmes, especially for rural women and girls.

**\[23\] Training ICT specialists:** Need to:

-- Develop and provide resources for ICT skills enhancement programmes
in technical colleges and in particular professional academies with full
involvement of the teaching staff and directors. This action should
replace commercially-based joint venture programmes with multinational
corporations that provide narrow training focussed on their company\'s
products.

-- Promote engineering knowledge transfer towards domestic capacity
building in developing countries, as well as local engineering
capacities to develop local knowledge and needs.

# 5) Security

**\[24\]** Adoption of any security-related policy should be the result
of prior multi-stakeholder consultations, including civil society and
users/consumers as well as business and government.

**\[25\]** A global investigation on the impact of ICT security policies
on civil liberties and human rights should be initiated under the
supervision of the UN. The assessment would cover threats to privacy,
freedom of expression, freedom from surveillance, etc. A public
benchmarking on the evolution of this impact would be provided by a
dedicated mechanism.

**\[25\]** International cooperation should be developed to fight all
forms of the surveillance and monitoring system infringing upon the
values of human rights and democracy.

**\[25 A\]** **Privacy:** Need to:

-- Secure technical experts to protect against illegal monitoring of
private information held by civil society.

-- Create awareness on the necessity of privacy protection through
educational programmes conducted by governments, international
organizations and civil society.

-- Create an independent mechanism such as a \"Privacy Protection
Committee\" to supervise, monitor and arbitrate privacy infringement in
the Global Information Society.

-- Privacy security studies should be carried on for all main emerging
new technologies, such as IPV6 (Internet Protocol version 6).

-- National compulsory projects using ICTs, such as electronic national
ID card initiatives and electronic health care card initiatives, should
be prudently assessed, with consideration of privacy issues.

-- Databases of information on individuals, which have been established
by governments, such as health insurance databases, should be reviewed
on the basis of securing human rights and democracy.

-- Uniform legal protection of communications privacy is needed to avoid
interference and monitoring of Internet traffic and personal
communications. For exceptional cases at the workplace, regulations and
collectively negotiated agreements are required to determine who can
carry out the monitoring and under which conditions.

**\[26\]** Promoting appropriate information sharing about security
issues, with the objective being the enhancement of secure and reliable
networks including actions, such as:

-- Working to develop a culture of security.

-- Preventing Cybercrime and enforcing laws related to it.

-- Facilitating information sharing and analysis centres around the
world.

# 6) Enabling environment

**\[28\]** **Good governance:** With the active participation of all
stakeholders, the development of an enabling environment should give due
regard to the rights and obligations of all stakeholders in such areas
as freedom of expression, consumer protection, privacy, security,
intellectual property rights, labour standards, open-source solutions,
management of Internet addresses and domain names while also maintaining
economic incentives and ensuring trust and confidence for business
activities.

**\[28\]** Develop gender-sensitive technical and regulatory instruments
when addressing ICT policy issues such as universal access, regulatory
frameworks, licensing, setting tariffs, spectrum allocation,
infrastructure, ICT industry development and labour policies.

**\[29\]** **Market environment:** The creation of a transparent and
predictable legal and regulatory environments, with the objective to
promote competition and investment in ICT infrastructure and
applications, should include actions such as:

-- Promoting competition in the underlying infrastructure.

-- Removing legal obstacles to e-commerce.

-- Recognizing electronic signatures and contracts.

-- Ensuring a neutral and non-discriminatory tax regime.

-- Ensuring transparent processes for policy development.

**\[29\]** Competition is only one out of many ways to drive down prices
and to ensure the ongoing modernization of networks and services.

**\[29\]** The core data, infrastructure and systems supporting ICT
services should not be transferred out of the hands of democratically
accountable agencies into the hands of an unaccountable private sector.
Open technical standards, including through the open-source software
movement, can help ensure that this does not happen.

**\[29\]** Implementing policies that promote competition and demand for
ICTs and ICT applications, with the goal being continued innovation of
products and services at affordable prices, including free choice of ICT
products, services and content.

**\[29\]** Establish global accounting standards for intangible assets,
in order to make annual company reports more comparable and prevent
fraudulent accounting practices.

**\[30\]** **Standardization**: Government should develop appropriate
global and regional technical standards to foster the deployment and use
of ICTs by ensuring the participation of all stakeholders and raising a
broad awareness of the societal and ethical implications of the
introduction of such standards.

**\[31\]** **Spectrum management**: The radio-frequency spectrum has to
be managed in the public and general interest and by independent and
transparent regulatory frameworks for the equitable allocation of
frequencies to a plurality of media including community media.

**\[33\]** **Internet governance:** To widen the participation of all
stakeholders in the global bottom-up policy development and decision
making processes, Task Forces on related public policy and technical
issues (Root Server, Multilingual Domain Names, Internet Security, IPv6,
ENUM, Domain Name Disputes etc.) could be established. Such
inter-governmental Task Forces should promote awareness, distribute
knowledge and produce reports which would help all stakeholders to get a
better understanding of the issues and to cooperate with the relevant
bodies like ICANN, IETF, RIRs, ccTLDs and others.

**\[34\] Intellectual property rights:**

-- International cooperation and exchange should be favoured and the
development of voluntary best practices should be considered.

-- Protection against unfair exploitation of indigenous knowledge and
intellectual property.

-- Use of peer-to-peer technology shall be promoted to share personal
scientific knowledge and pre-prints and reprints written by scientific
authors who have waived their right to payment.

-- A specific status concerning transition and developing countries
shall be recognised in regards to IPRs.

-- The right of Internet hyperlinking, framing and mirroring shall not
be restricted, under the provision that the name and URL of the original
site is properly indicated and acknowledged.

-- Free modification and adaptation of a copyrighted web page shall be
permitted for personal non-commercial use as a means of free speech.

-- Authors must be encouraged to retain ownership of their copyrights
and not to automatically transfer copyrights to publishers or other
intermediaries.

-- A first-to-invent instead a first-to-file patent application rule
shall be adopted, in order to better preserve the rights of academic
scientists and low-income inventors.

-- Fair use:

-- The nature and extent of exceptions and limitations must be assessed
by applying the three step test as set out in International treaties
administered by WIPO: exceptions are confined to special cases which do
not conflict with a normal exploitation of the work and do not
unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the right holder.

-- Raise awareness on the issue of copyright exemptions and knowledge
ownership through the education and training sectors.

-- Exemptions for fair use of information should be harmonised and the
extension of the public domain guaranteed as a mean to ensure access for
all to information.

-- Non-commercial use and private copying of digital content should be
regarded and protected as fair use.

-- Ensure free access to all scientific and engineering data and
information that are available in archives, libraries and research
institutions.

-- Rules of loans existing in traditional libraries must be extended
without hindrance to digital media belonging to online libraries.

-- Databases:

-- Compilation work done in building databases and non-creative works
shall not be protected under copyright law.

-- Databases built with the help of freely available scientific content
should be accessible with a reasonable fee proportionate to the average
income in the customer\'s country.

-- Computer software should not be protected by copyright, or at least,
the protection period of computer software should be shortened. Software
shall not be patentable, in principle.

**\[34 A\]** **Media**: Public service values in the Information Society
should be encouraged, including genuine public service broadcasting.

-- State-controlled media should be transformed into editorially
independent public service media organizations.

-- Concentration of media ownership has to be avoided and a legal basis
as well as public funding for community and non-profit media must be
provided.

-- Public financial support, training, preferred access to licenses,
frequencies and technologies to promote community-based media, including
facilitating links between traditional media and new ones, and to bridge
the digital divide between the have and the have-nots.

**\[34 B\]** **Limitation to** **ISP responsibility and liability**:

-- The primary responsibility for determining what content to access
should remain with the individual Internet user; parents should take the
primary responsibility for determining what their children should
access.

-- No implicit or explicit delegation of judicial power should be given
or imposed on Internet Services Providers ISPs (Connection, site
hosting) to the effect that they have to reach a conclusion on the
nature and content of any information, wherever said information is
stored, however the said information is transmitted. No exemption to
this rule shall be allowed, even in the case of an alleged obviousness.

# 7) Promotion of development-oriented ICT applications for all

**\[35\]** Tools should be developed to evaluate the social impact of
ICTs and contribute to the eradication of poverty. This should be done
with the involvement of all stakeholders, including the poor themselves,
both in northern and southern countries.

**\[35\]** Public service broadcasters in particular can play an
important role in informing citizens about ICTs, e-government,
e-business, e-learning, and e-health.

**\[37\]** **E-Business:** Community information and communication
centres should provide business development services to SMEs.

**\[38\]** **E-Learning.** Need to:

-- Ensure that the production of international E-learning programmes
incorporates contents, context and visions from developing countries so
as to contribute to cultural diversity.

-- Develop, promote and support gender sensitive educational programmes
and appropriate learning environments including e-learning to increase
women\'s access to education.

**\[38 A\]** Education through radio and TV can be interwoven and
extended by individualized e‑learning.

**\[39\] E-health:** Need to:

-- Create healthcare systems that utilize ICTs to increase productivity
and efficiency within the provision of healthcare globally.

-- Promote the use of ICT as an effective tool in distributing
information about, and advocating against, gender-based violence.

-- Prepare and disseminate accessible information that strengthens
prevention programmes that promote women\'s health such as education and
information on sexual and reproductive health issues and on
sexually-transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS.

**\[40 A\]** **Workers\' rights:**

-- Workers\' privacy in the workplace where ICTs are being abused for
the purpose of surveillance and monitoring such as CCTV, IC Card, and
network-monitoring systems, should be protected. In the case of
introducing new technology or policies that might infringe the worker\'s
privacy, agreement with workers or labour unions should be made in
advance in an open and transparent manner.

-- Extending the rights of workers and their trade-unions to the use of
the Internet and intranet of companies for the purpose of communication
and solidarity.

-- Safe and healthy, secure and fair working conditions, built on
principles of social justice and gender equality, to be enjoyed by all
workers in the Information Society.

-- Recognition and application of fundamental rights and core labour
standards of all workers in the Information Society, the right to
privacy and to free access to the intranet of enterprises for workers,
workers' representatives and trade unions.

-- The reinforcement of dialogue between trade unions, employers and
government to facilitate change in response to economic developments
associated with the spread of the Information Society. The forging of
social partnership is also vital in effectively mobilizing ICTs as
development tools.

###### *\[41\] E-Environment:* ICTs should be mobilised in order to meet the specific of small islands under an environment endangered by hazards or global warming.

**\[41 A\]** There is a need to prioritize and develop uses of ICTs for
development e.g. agriculture and early warning systems.

# 8) Cultural identity and linguistic diversity, local content and media development

**\[42\]** **Cultural and linguistic diversity:**

-- Develop alternative incentive and rewards schemes that encourage the
creation and dissemination of culturally and linguistically diverse
content.

-- All citizens should have access to pluralistic and independent radio
and television services, relevant to their own culture and in their own
language.

-- Software companies and relevant national and international bodies
should prioritise software development and transmission protocols in
local languages.

-- The development of policy, procedure and tools to ensure
multi-lingualism in cyberspace, and in all other forms of media and
communication systems, must respect the different language communities
in the development of international standards.

**\[43\]** **Content:**

-- Need for public investment in capacity building focused on the
creation of locally produced, audience sensitive content that responds
to local needs, and marginalized communities.

-- There should be support for local creativity in any country,
especially through promotion of local content to respond to local
particularity and needs.

-- The creation and preservation of traditional and indigenous knowledge
should be promoted.

-- Develop programmes in close consultation with indigenous peoples such
that they are enabled in the Information Society and can utilize new
tools, if desired, in their cultural production and community
development.

-- Include content about women and gender issues in all official
Government web sites in addition to those web sites that specifically
cover gender equality issues.

-- Develop ICT-based information systems with relevant content for women
to increase their economic opportunities and entrepreneurship skills,
including information about national economic and trade policies and
programmes.

-- Strengthen relevant and diverse programmes focused on
gender-sensitive curricula in formal and non-formal education for all
and enhancing communication and media literacy for women.

-- Community projects that can contribute to the democratic process,
such as self-publication web sites on matters of local interest and
affairs, should benefit from public support.

-- Build capacity for the creation of locally produced audience
sensitive content that responds to local needs.

-- Publishers and libraries should play a crucial role in promoting
knowledge, creativity and science and should be fully involved in the
Information Society.

-- Civil society should be active in the promotion of public awareness
on the quality of content of information circulated.

-- Content industries must have facilitated access to ICTs and training,
in order to be acquainted with new models of content creation,
production and dissemination.

**\[44\] Media:** Public participation in the Information Society shall
be enabled through affordable and appropriate ICT applications allowing
for local content creation, such as community media, non-profit media,
and interactive Web applications.

-- These media should serve as essential factors of empowering
marginalized communities, particularly youth, women, indigenous peoples,
children and minority groups.

-- Recognition and support will be given to media based in local
communities, thus contributing to creating local content and preserving
and developing cultural and linguistic diversity.

-- Develop, consistent with freedom of expression, regulatory mechanisms
that promote balanced and diverse portrayals of women by the media and
international communication systems and that promote increased
participation by women and men in production and decision making.

# 9) Identifying and overcoming barriers to the achievement of the Information Society with a human perspective

# *B Objectives*

**\[45a\]** *add* to the World Wide Web after *all villages to be
connected*,

**\[45\]** Examples of possible concrete and comprehensive actions could
include:

-- 100% of world\'s population to have access to domestic radio services
by 2010

-- 100% of world\'s population to have access to domestic TV services by
2015

-- Information and media development programmes to promote local content
services in all regions of the world should be in place within three
years.

-- In countries where they are still state-controlled, plans should be
in place within three years to transform the main national broadcasters
into editorially independent public service organizations.

-- As digital television, with its interactive enhancements, will be an
essential tool for making the services of the information society widely
available, plans for a transition to digital TV should be in place in
all countries by 2010.

-- Introduction of anti-monopoly scrutiny and laws regarding media
concentration, including areas involving ICTs, in all countries by 2010.

-- To ensure that the media are able to fulfill their role in the
information society, laws should be put in place in every country by
2010 to grant journalists unhindered access to events of interest to the
public, including the right to make recordings and establish
contribution links without any interference by the public authorities.

-- Catalyze the volunteer network built during the international year of
volunteers 2001 with nodes in over 100 countries, to support the plan of
action of WSIS.

-- Establish national/regional "online volunteering" services for human
development, to provide opportunities to people to collaborate in
projects around the world through the Internet.

# *C Strategies programmes, methods for implementation* 

**\[46\]** Developing national ICT Strategies with achievable and
measurable goals with the objective being the clear prioritization of
actions that are necessary to fully embrace the Information Society.

**\[47\]** Bridging the digital divide is best achieved by government
programmes increasing funding for the provision of books and other
publications in libraries as well as for connecting end-users to the
Internet, especially in developing countries and disadvantaged groups in
developed nations.

# *D International Cooperation and financing*

**\[54\]** **International cooperation:**

-- Support special ICT volunteer initiatives, such as the UNITeS
initiative of the UN Secretary General, a volunteer service oriented
towards bridging the digital divide. These initiatives can be
instrumental in helping to mainstream ICT into human development
processes (and into development agencies, in particular).

-- Support an international university volunteer network, involving
students, professors and staff, to build capacity on the uses and
opportunities of ICTs for development (as indicated in the UN ICT task
force plan of action item 10).

-- Foster and provide mechanisms for volunteer involvement of members of
Diaspora (both on-site and online).

-- Facilitate exchange mechanisms for volunteers to share experiences
and cultivate knowledge across projects related to various ICT
applications (e.g. E-learning, e‑government, e-business, e-health,
etc.).

-- Encourage international co-operation and exchange of knowledge -
North-South, South‑South, and North-North - through the use of ICTs.

**\[55\]** An official body must be settled within the UN in charge of
proposing new mechanisms of funding adapted to a society in which
international information flows are one of the main sources of growth.

**\[55\]** Strengthen national machineries for the advancement of women,
particularly through increased financial resources and technical
expertise that can facilitate their advocacy role and collaborative
action amongst government bodies.

# *E Follow up* 

**\[57\]** **Indicators:**

-- International community\'s commitments to ICT developments assistance
should not be monitored through indicators alone but should also be
evaluated by civil society, governments and the private sector.

-- Develop, promote and implement research programmes that permit
ongoing and comprehensive analysis of the impact of ICT and ICT policies
on gender equality and women\'s empowerment.

-- Develop appropriate indicators, conceptual frameworks and qualitative
assessment methodologies and case studies to monitor progress towards
gender equality in the ICT area. This requires analysis of the current
status of women\'s and men\'s participation in and use of ICT, including
a comprehensive analysis of sex-disaggregated statistics and indicators
and policy responses that target gender-based differences and
inequalities.

**\[58\]** International organizations, national and local governments
should commit to giving online information on all public policies,
public money uses, as well as benchmarking of the results of their
policies.

**\]**

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

[^1]: Proposed by XXX.

[^2]: Proposed by YYY.

[^3]: Proposed by ZZZ.

[^4]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^5]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^6]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^7]: See comments from Mexico.

[^8]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^9]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^10]: Proposed by Brazil

[^11]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^12]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^13]: Brazil

[^14]: Mexico

[^15]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^16]: Proposed by Fiji.

[^17]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^18]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^19]: See comments from the Russian Federation.

[^20]: Proposed by Australia; see comments from Australia.

[^21]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^22]: Canada

[^23]: Proposed by El Salvador.

[^24]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^25]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^26]: See comments from Australia.

[^27]: Australia

[^28]: Mexico

[^29]: Switzerland

[^30]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^31]: See comments from Australia.

[^32]: Canada: delete whole paragraph.

[^33]: USA: object to the statement \"guidelines on Internet contracts
    should be established and existing contracts for Internet traffic
    renegotiated\" (paragraph 15 of the draft Action Plan).

[^34]: Mexico

[^35]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^36]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^37]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^38]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^39]: See Mexico for Spanish translation.

[^40]: See comment from Ethiopia.

[^41]: Proposed by Australia - see also comment.

[^42]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^43]: Tunisia suggests to replace \"Capacity building\" by \"Capacity
    development\" in the whole document.

[^44]: Proposed by Canada.

[^45]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^46]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^47]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^48]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^49]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^50]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^51]: See comments: New Zealand.

[^52]: See Mexican contribution for Spanish translation.

[^53]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^54]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^55]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^56]: See Mexican contribution for Spanish translation. See comments
    from Russian Federation.

[^57]: See also comments: Canada.

[^58]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^59]: New paragraph suggested by the Russian Federation.

[^60]: New paragraph suggested by Switzerland.

[^61]: Canada

[^62]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^63]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^64]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^65]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^66]: Mexico

[^67]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^68]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^69]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^70]: See comments from Czech Rep.

[^71]: See comments from Australia and Tanzania.

[^72]: Rep. of Korea

[^73]: Mexico

[^74]: Proposed by Australia.

[^75]: See comments from Australia and New Zealand.

[^76]: Canada

[^77]: See comments from New Zealand.

[^78]: See comments from Australia, Canada and Russian Federation.

[^79]: See Mexico for Spanish translation. See comments by Sri Lanka.

[^80]: See Mexico for Spanish translation.

[^81]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^82]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^83]: See comments from Argentina.

[^84]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^85]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^86]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^87]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^88]: See comment from New Zealand and US.

[^89]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^90]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^91]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^92]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^93]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^94]: See Mexican comments for Spanish translation.

[^95]: Proposed by Australia.

[^96]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^97]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^98]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^99]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^100]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^101]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^102]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^103]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^104]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^105]: Proposed by Canada.

[^106]: Proposed by Tanzania.

[^107]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^108]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^109]: Proposed by Cuba.

[^110]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^111]: Proposed by El Salvador.

[^112]: Proposed by Mali.

[^113]: See comments from Czech Republic, Mali-Bamako 2000, New Zealand
    and Tunisia.

[^114]: See comments from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and
    Tunisia.

[^115]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^116]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^117]: See comment from Mali-Bamako 2000.

[^118]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^119]: Proposed by El Salvador.

[^120]: See comments from New Zealand and Tunisia.

[^121]: Proposed by Canada.

[^122]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^123]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^124]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^125]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^126]: See comment from New Zealand

[^127]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^128]: Japan proposes to delete this bullet point.

[^129]: See comments from Ethiopia, Fiji, Mali-Bamako 2000 and New
    Zealand.

[^130]: Proposal by Mexico.

[^131]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^132]: See comments from Mali-Bamako 2000, Nepal, New Zealand and
    Tunisia.

[^133]: Proposed by Mali.

[^134]: Proposed by Australia.

[^135]: Proposed by Canada.

[^136]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^137]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^138]: Proposed by Switzerland.

[^139]: See comments from Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

[^140]: Proposed by Mexico.

[^141]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^142]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^143]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^144]: Proposed by Brazil.

[^145]: Proposed by El Salvador.

[^146]: See comments from Fiji and Israel.

[^147]: Proposed by Canada.

[^148]: This section has not been refined by the intersessional
    mechanism.

[^149]: Paragraph numbers correspond to those of Section 1 of this
    document. Where new issues are raised by observers\' comments these
    are added with a number associated to a letter (e.g. 12 A, B, etc.).