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Latin America says that information technologies can increase the differences between rich and poor countries

Between November 13 and 15, UNESCO promoted an event in order to reach a consensus regarding the ethical, judicial and social aspects of Information Society. The theme of the Infoethics 2000 Congress was "the right to universal access to information in the 21st century." The major topics debated were the role of the public power in granting access to information; the guarantee of intellectual property and its flexibilization in case of public interest; and the protection of human dignity and of the freedom of expression.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and UNESCO promoted a meeting with 18 representatives of Latin American countries so as to prepare a document expressing Latin America's aspirations. This event, called "Infoethics 2000 - Ethical, Judicial and Sociocultural Challenges of the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean" took place on October 26 and 27, on the island of Itacuruçá, Rio de Janeiro. The event was supported by the Information Society Program.

The documet resulting from this meeting, named Itacuruçá Declaration, revealed the concern that information technologies increase the differences between rich and poor nations and suggested that special policies be adopted favoring developing countries, such as the support of international organizations in the installment of telecommunications infrastructure.

Another concern expressed in the Itacuruçá meeting referred to the social differences inside each country. The debaters pointed out that the State plays a central role in guaranteeing democratic access to information. It was suggested that a regional Information Society program be created, joining the initiatives that already exist in the countries.

[RNP, 11.24.2000]