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HM Queen Noor's interview with Ms. Alannah Weston for an article entitled "Does the developing world need the internet?" 8 - 13 November 1995 Q1: Does the developing world need the internet? The developing world needs cheap, efficient and quick communication methods i.e. the internet, in order to keep abreast of developments in our fast-changing world. The internet has proved to be a form of liberation in countries where information, freedom of speech and expression are curtailed because authoritarian governments can not control the information received and sent via the internet. It provides a neutral ground where different / differing views could be peacefully interchanged; I read an article a couple of months ago, which noted that cyberspace cools emotions and is an ideal venue where sensitive topics could be discussed. In Jordan, the Jubilee School, one of the Noor Al Hussein Foundation's educational projects, is linked to the internet and was, therefore, able to participate (via UNICEF) in the UN Summit on Social Development in Copenhagen. I believe that the internet is an ideal way of providing updated information to schools and universities in the developing world. Q2: How many of the United World Colleges (UWC) graduates are on the internet? What purpose does it serve them as individuals? What larger purpose does it serve to have students from different countries communicating on-line? A network of UWC graduates was created via the internet some years ago to offer a medium to communicate freely, cheaply and rapidly over borders. Today, approximately 1000 UWC graduates use e-mail and access the internet on a daily basis. Recently the UWC has ventured into the internet by means of the "World Wide Web" and has developed a "web" / network of information via what is known as a "home page." The UWC home page provides historical, structural, graphic and institutional data on all aspects of the UWC. This electronic directory allows all the colleges, network groups, National Committees and board members as well as any cyberspace navigators to access the UWC information database. Soon, all UWC publications will be available on-line and new forums (conferences and debates) will be established. Q3: Computers are expensive. Nintendo is not. Is technology being marketed to service the elite? With so many different brands of computers on the market and so much competition, prices are gradually decreasing and will hopefully be within the price range of many. Furthermore, universities and schools usually have special arrangements with computer companies whereby students can purchase computers at lower prices. Q4: 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. Apart from the UWC graduates, many of whom are maximizing the use of the internet in their professional lives, Jordanians in various fields are rapidly becoming avid commuters on the Information Superhighway; for example, doctors in Jordan are communicating via the internet internationally and more importantly regionally as barriers in the Middle East gradually crumble. At the Middle East and North Africa Economic Summit, almost all the participants' business cards listed their e-mail address to facilitate future communication. Q5: The virtual reality guru, Jaron Lanier calls the internet "the first working anarchy in history," is this true? 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. Q6: If information is power, then access to the internet makes one "powerful." Is the internet about power, or it simply a way or reaching out to cross the gaps that exist between people? 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. Q7: 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. And that whatever we set up in the next 50 years will last for the next 1000, for the same reasons why we're stuck with Microsoft -- because software gets frozen once it's used by other software. Because of the internet, our opinions can be written into this software. We are now in charge. Do you think access to the internet will allow us to affect the growing structure of our world? To what extent can a groundswell of information exchange make a difference? Exchange of information between various countries, cultures, races and peoples will hopefully eliminate stereotypes, lead to greater cross-cultural interaction and understanding and promote tolerance and solidarity among our multi-faceted global community. It is said that "a little knowledge is dangerous", perhaps the internet with its vast capabilities for information exchange will keep this danger at bay. |
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