In Focus

UNESCO gives a high priority to the use of ICT for more equitable access to information and knowledge in various spheres of human life, with the special focus on education, gender, indigenous people, persons with disabilities and youth.

The battle against HIV/AIDS is the area of increasing concern to the UNESCO as a whole. In 2005, Communication and Information Sector focused on training activities for media professionals to improve their skills in reporting on this subject.

The planet is still divided between those who are able to grasp the potential of information and communication and those who are not. This divide, which was at the heart of WSIS, is also the focus of an article in UNESCO’s New Courier.

UNESCO actively participates in the Tunis meeting of the World Summit on the Information Society (16-18 November 2005) organizing three events and an exhibition promoting the concept of “knowledge societies”.

"Promotion of equitable access to information and knowledge, particularly with regard to public domain" represents one of the main axes of UNESCO’s Communication and Information Sector.

From Gutenberg’s printing press to the Internet, from Diderot’s Encyclopedia to Wikipedia, the means of accessing information and knowledge have dramatically changed. UNESCO contributes to ensure that everybody benefits from this revolution.

UNESCO’s action to provide people with the skills and abilities for critical reception, assessment and use of information in their professional and personal lives.

WebWorld's four thematic portals – on Archives, Libraries, Information Society and Free & Open Source Software - are working tools and virtual spaces for some of the most essential professional partners of UNESCO's Communication and Information Sector.

Communication and information have great potential for human development. Africa being one of the main policy issues of the G8 Gleneagles Summit 2005 (6-8 July 2005), WebWorld’s "In Focus" features UNESCO’s recent communication and information activities in Africa.

For several years now, UNESCO has been supporting independent media in conflict and post-conflict situations to enable them to gather and disseminate non-partisan information. In this respect, the assistance provided to independent media in South East Europe, Angola, the Great Lakes Region in Africa, the Middle East, East Timor and Afghanistan has contributed to peace building and reconciliation processes.

ICT has great potential for gender equity, but carries also risks of new forms of exclusion in access to, and participation in the information society. UNESCO promotes women’s and men’s equal access to information and knowledge, and their participation in the media.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) provides unique opportunties for international policy dialogue on the future of societies. UNESCO advocates the concept of "Knowledge Societies” that includes dimensions of social, cultural, and institutional transformation, and is centered around a development oriented vision.

On 9 August, UNESCO celebrates the world's indigenous populations and the empowerment of local knowledge and cultural traditions. The UNESCO Programme for Creative Content aims to boost the production and dissemination of local content in both the traditional and new media in the most disadvantaged communities of the developing world.

Language constitutes the foundation of communication and is fundamental to cultural and historical heritage. Today various forces threaten linguistic diversity, particularly on the information networks. UNESCO has responded with several projects to promote multilingualism in cyberspace, including its Initiative B@bel.

UNESCO works together with the UN to assist the Iraqi people in transition to democracy, particularly through strengthening and building a media sector committed to freedom of expression. UNESCO has supported transparent reporting of the 30 January elections.

A large number of school, community, children, public and other libraries have been destroyed or severely damaged by the tsunami of 26 December 2004.

A Community Multimedia Centre (CMC) combines local radio by local people in local languages with a public telecentre facility offering access to internet, e-mail, computer training and a range of services and activities that meet development needs.

UNESCO offers its support to the countries devastated by the earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and the ensuing tsunami. WebWorld provides a resource page with information in the area of communication and information.