Information and Communication Technologies : Development Opportunities and the Role of Youth
BY: Saleh Abdalla Sanqour BBQM (091010076)
Information and communication technologies have always evolved with time. Today, they could be grouped into two categories: traditional technologies (e.g. radio, television, telephone, fax, postal mail, seminars, books, newspapers, etc.), and modern technologies (such as the Internet, e-mail, mobile telephony, etc.). What can be done to contribute to these technologies and, in particular, what role should youth be playing?
The role of youth is therefore crucial. The starting point must be to raise awareness of the importance of means of communication and information, whatever the area of activity. This would lead each young person to apply his or herself to the best of their ability in developing these technologies in some way. Moreover, it should be noted that young people are particularly receptive to new technologies.
The role of youth in the development of information and communication technologies is thus indisputable. It would be interesting to exchange views on this issue with young people of different origins and who therefore necessarily face different realities. The issue could be studied more or less extensively, enabling a conclusion to be reached which, when applied, would be highly beneficial in any place, for any person and in any field of activity.
Young people all over the world must therefore try to find ways to cooperate, so that they can exchange experience and discover the potential that resides in every individual, with the idea eventually of encouraging a better exchange between nations on the basis of the needs expressed at youth meetings.
The role of young people is first to acquire knowledge about ICTs so that we can use them to improve our communities. Secondly, we should accept the challenge of the digital divide and look for means of bridging it. Young people should also do research and educate society about ICTs. Young men and women are supposed to protect ICTs from malicious use.
ICT plays an increasingly important role in developing countries in terms of trade, the eradication of poverty, enhanced production and increased job opportunities. ICT provides new ways of capturing, storing, processing, transporting and displaying information and has had a profound impact on societies, socially, economically and from the development point of view.
Socially, ICT has given people the opportunity to connect in a global village, in that there is equal access to fast and accurate communication. Examples are telephones (either mobile or fixed), electronic bulletin boards, facsimile technology and e-mail.
Economically, ICT has greatly influenced the resurgence of trade between countries and increased world productivity. It has opened a wide range of markets. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are used throughout the world for communication without the need to move from one place to another. These technologies are used by many people in various sectors, such as education and trade, and in different social activities. Operating such communication systems well plays an important role in development at the level of the country and of the world. Young people, whether students or otherwise, could also play an important role in development.
Young people, the pioneers and hope of the future, must take on board these new information and communication technologies in order to meet the new challenge of the modernization of communication and information. This will involve six target areas, namely: teaching, cultural policy, modernization of public services, support for companies, industrial innovation and the emergence of effective regulation of networks.