Ibrahim A. IBRAHIM, Ph.D.

2003 December 26

I attended the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) as representative of the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (IAUTA/AIUTA) & participated in few Seminars/Workshops that were primarily devoted to learning. The Summit had the benefit of excellent preparations and work organisation: functional spacious conference premises, reliable transport facilities and close attention to detail in the implementation of day today activities. The basic work had already been completed at the preparatory stage. Both ITU and the Swiss authorities did their best for fulfilling their respective mandates. The weather was favourable & sunny!

During the World Summit, Government leaders, particularly Heads of State or Prime Ministers (mostly from developing societies), made strong commitments for future Internet progress in their respective countries, e.g. development of Internet & Smart Village(s), provision of computers at every home and at schools, etc. In essence more and more leaders indicated keenness on developing additional Internet access opportunities and facilities. Yes, the Summit contributed significantly to greater awareness of the value of Internet. Next to be achieved is effective improvement in applications and content, which should justify re-allocation of scarce resources. Every person may have a telephone connection, even with a mobile set, but this in itself will not be sufficient to improve conversation substance and communications!

Responsibility for implementing recommendation lies with the prospective user society and beneficiary (with support from international organisations as may be requested and available). Most developing countries are at a great disadvantage specially when it comes to developing programmes suitable to conditions of their respective societies as to language, script and in particular friendly Operating Systems.

Each society should also facilitate use of Internet by older people because they will increasingly need it and because their access would promote easier communications between generations - not to mention setting up an example for younger persons. Factors such as language and suitable learning methods for adults are not yet easily accessible.

The next WSIS in Tunis will have the vital but enormous task of addressing itself to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations embodied in the Plan of Action on content and accessibility.

UNESCO has recommended Life Long Learning some years ago. The ILO continues to emphasise the key role of Human Resources Development. However, both instruments continue to require a great deal of resources for implementation and above all the political will at the country level. Practical support should back up the lofty statements made at the Summit, to reap the benefits anticipated. Internet could help a great deal in achieving the objectives of both international instruments. The Second Summit at Tunis should contribute towards making Internet applications universal. It may consider concentrating on fewer Seminars or Workshops, so that final results will be devoted to indispensable & vital few activities. The CERN conference on the Role of Science in the Information Society (RSIS), which preceded the Geneva Summit, concentrated on three topics only.

IAUTA/AIUTA emphasised the importance of Internet at its Congress for the year 2000 at Quebec: Les Aînés branchés sur le 3e millénaire. The theme of its next Congress in October 2004 in Shanghai is: Older People between Tradition and Innovation: The new Frontiers of Lifelong Learning - Les Aînés entre tradition et innovation: Les nouvelles frontières de la formation tout au long de la vie.

Ibrahim A. IBRAHIM, Ph.D.
AIUTA Representative,
Ch. des Colombettes 13,
CH 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel +41227332553
Fax +41227335957
E-mail
Web Site http://www.unige.ch/uta/
Web site http://www.aiuta.asso.fr/
Web site http://www.aiuta2004.org/