Pew International Journalism Program

Rich Countries Must Help Bridge Global "Digital Divide"

Washington, February 20, 2002 - The world's developing countries need help from affluent countries to help them attain computer literacy and telecommunications technology they need to improve their citizens' lives, an expert on global technology told Pew Fellows today.

William Drake, senior visiting fellow at the Center for International Development and Conflict Management at he University of Maryland said "the glass is one-third full" in measuring the progress of developing countries to bridge the "digital divide" between rich and poor countries in using technology. Drake said improving a developing country's technology infrastructure helps improve overall efforts to upgrade healthcare, education and small businesses in those countries.

Only a handful of developing countries like South Korea, Singapore, China, and Malaysia have made real progress in harnessing the potential of the Internet and telecommunications in development, Drake said. He said strong political leadership - a feature of each of those countries - is needed to redistribute resources. Access to technology is useless if it is not part of a greater plan to integrate it into social development plans and if citizens are not educated to use it.

Drake said the Clinton Administration, with the particular support of former Vice President Al Gore, gave high priority to helping developing countries improve technology. The issue is not a major priority in the Bush Administration, he said.