Furthermore, universities and schools usually have special arrangements with computer companies whereby students can purchase computers at lower prices. What members of the UWC, or others do you know who use the internet in a practical way to assist with development in their countries or educational programs, exchange of medical information, overcoming transport problems by doing business on line. At the Middle East and North Africa Economic Summit, almost all the participants' business cards listed their e-mail address to facilitate future communication. The internet is a tool, one either harnesses it, learns how to work with it to maximize its benefits or abuses it. In a way it parallels the flexible and somewhat decentralized structure of the UWCs, which, coincidentally, is what gives the latter its strength.
Information is power, but knowing how to use that information is key.
If one does not know how to navigate the internet, sift through the data available, one would be simply overwhelmed by the enormous amount of information available, which would render it for the most part useless. I believe that education is empowerment and regard the internet as an educational tool, which facilitates the transfer of information and interaction between people throughout the world. Jaron Lanier believes that as computers become computerized, we are going to participate in the writing of the software for the cultures, economies and governments of the world. Because of the internet, our opinions can be written into this software. We are now in charge.