Input for Content and Themes Drafting Group, 21 February 2003

Key principles

• Knowledge and creativity are at the heart of the information society. The diversity and plurality of knowledge plays a crucial role.
• Research is a keystone of information society. The public domain should continue to play a crucial role in the provision and dissemination of knowledge.
• Knowledge is about empowerment and participation which should be the objectives of the information society.
• Knowledge and education are critical enabling agents in building a global information society in which all citizens can participate on an equal footing.
• The key goals of Lifelong Learning (Hamburg Declaration, 1997) and Education for All (Dakar Declaration, 2000) must be the basis of the Information Society’s educational agenda.
• Education is the golden road to knowledge for all and special focus should be devoted to disadvantaged groups.
• Life long learning is important not only for a country’s economic growth, but for serving the public interest towards total human development.
• Access to knowledge cannot be reduced to e-learning and connectivity.
• Information society should lead to a knowledge society to facilitate the elimination of existing socio-economic inequalities within countries and between countries.

Action lines

• Ensure free access for all to archives, libraries and research institutions.
• Promote further research programs especially in the countries of the South.
• Facilitate North-South and South-South information exchange with all possible communication tools.
• Create training programs for teachers and educators in the use of ICTs and other communication tools.
• Use ICTs and other communication tools to reach out marginalized and rural areas.
• Develop tools and programs for life long learning.
• Ensure gender parity and equality in all educational actions