3.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Access Issues

3. Benefits?

4. Issues

5. Discussion & Conclusion

6. References

The benefits of the Internet to Third World countries have been assumed by many organisations and agencies involved there in aid and development. Colle (1997) reports that in 1997, 69% of the World Bank's projects had "information components" (p. 1). Very large sums of money as well as expertise have been either lent to, donated or invested in ICT related projects by Western organisations. One may question whether it is altruism or commercial imperatives that drive the World Bank in its activities. In the BBC's annual Reith lectures, broadcast 28 May 2000, it was claimed that for every dollar invested in the Third World by the World Bank, the West makes three dollars. Schech and Haggis (2000) argue that development as a concept of the past has been absorbed by the globalisation process. They say that "privatization, free markets, and globalization of the economy are now seen to be the solution to problems of poverty and development" (p. 53). (1998), however, suggests that "the Internet may have a greater social impact in developing countries than anywhere else" because many Non Government Organisations (NGOs) have provided low-cost networks there. The Association of Progressive Networks, for example, has "25 member networks [providing] vital links to over 50,000 NGOs, activists, educators, policy-makers and community leaders in 133 countries" (ibid.). This has meant that local organisations campaigning for democracy, social equality and protection of the environment have been amongst the best informed.

It appear, therefore, that benefits from the Internet so far arise mainly from its use by key people and groups more than by individual citizens.