This conference is the first event of a project to build a community of interest from government, industry, and academia around the emerging Global Information Infrastructure through a broader and deeper understanding of the interrelated strategic and policy issues. This first event is focused on vision, policy design, and strategic implementation of information infrastructure initiatives at the national level. Depending on these factors, themes and issues may include transformation of the economy, impact on employment, comparative advantage, environmental effects, individual empowerment, democratization of political processes, etc. We are seeking papers that rigorously analyze national initiatives from independent, interdisciplinary perspectives.
Comparative analyses are welcome.
We are also looking for position papers from regional, multinational, and transnational initiatives. Position papers and official documents will be considered for the appendices and for a separate custom-published volume. A third project on information infrastructure and development is planned for mid- 1996, and a fourth on international institutions and institutional issues is planned for early 1997. This vision has been embodied in a growing number of national initiatives designed to accelerate private investment while exploiting the rapidly developing technology and infrastructure for a wide range of public objectives. Most information infrastructure initiatives are concerned with the development of facilities-based telecommunications, often through strategies for privatizing, deregulating, or encouraging competition for locally dominant voice carriers.