BKUN Newsletter: Preparation Committees for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)

Preparation Committees for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)
Uses of Information, for Better or Worse

The theme of the uses and abuses of information held sway during discussions of the second intergovernmental Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-2) that is planning for the upcoming WSIS event in Geneva, to be held in December.

That high-level gathering is being designed to develop a better understanding of the information revolution now taking place worldwide. The hoped for results will be ways to bridge the current digital divide between developed vs. less developed nations, and individuals with and without access to technology, creating instead a digital community of information users.

Among PrepCom-2 recommendations that came out of the current meeting were that questions of ethics and values in disseminating information be addressed during the Geneva Summit. Discussions along similar lines included:

• A call for the media to raise public awareness about human rights violations in war-torn countries
The on-going work of the Ethics & Values group of PrepCom-1 has stressed the power of the media as a disseminator of information, the ways in which media messaging can shape society. The group requested that the media take into consideration values such as justice, freedom, equality, and truth when exercising that power.

• A panel on the power of information to promote a culture of peace
The group focused on the freedom of choice to use information as a tool for either good or ill, empowerment or disempowerment. Discussion tilted toward agreement that the current negative media focus constitutes unbalanced reporting and raised the possibility of information affecting a “heartset” as well as a “mindset.” The understanding was that coverage of more positive information could alternatively create in people a passion for the common good.

• A focus on quality vs. quantity of information
A broad-ranging discussion of new technologies pointed up the difference between technological information and knowledge capable of inspiring people. Recommendations included improving materials and pedagogy in lieu of merely broadening information.

Brahma Kumaris participated in events by coordinating work with the Ethics & Values group of PrepCom-1 and proposing, before the December Summit, a panel on “Images and Voices of Hope: A Question of Choice.” The PrepCom-3 phase of the preparatory process is scheduled for September.

— Linda Krentzman, New York, USA, e-mail bkun@bkwsu.com


Summer 2003 \| Issue 1, Volume 1 \| Back to the main BKUN site
• Introduction News Stories: Message from Dadi Janki Sister, Catch This Dime President of India Inaugurates Newest BK Retreat Centre Croatian Business Leaders Think Global BK Participation in COMESA World Social Forum in Brazil Commission on the Status of Women UNESCO Workshop on Righting Racism United Nations/Civil Society Relations World Summit on the Information Society BK Portraits— Third Eye	Preparation Committees for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Uses of Information, for Better or Worse The theme of the uses and abuses of information held sway during discussions of the second intergovernmental Preparatory Committee (PrepCom-2) that is planning for the upcoming WSIS event in Geneva, to be held in December. That high-level gathering is being designed to develop a better understanding of the information revolution now taking place worldwide. The hoped for results will be ways to bridge the current digital divide between developed vs. less developed nations, and individuals with and without access to technology, creating instead a digital community of information users. Among PrepCom-2 recommendations that came out of the current meeting were that questions of ethics and values in disseminating information be addressed during the Geneva Summit. Discussions along similar lines included: • A call for the media to raise public awareness about human rights violations in war-torn countries The on-going work of the Ethics & Values group of PrepCom-1 has stressed the power of the media as a disseminator of information, the ways in which media messaging can shape society. The group requested that the media take into consideration values such as justice, freedom, equality, and truth when exercising that power. • A panel on the power of information to promote a culture of peace The group focused on the freedom of choice to use information as a tool for either good or ill, empowerment or disempowerment. Discussion tilted toward agreement that the current negative media focus constitutes unbalanced reporting and raised the possibility of information affecting a “heartset” as well as a “mindset.” The understanding was that coverage of more positive information could alternatively create in people a passion for the common good. • A focus on quality vs. quantity of information A broad-ranging discussion of new technologies pointed up the difference between technological information and knowledge capable of inspiring people. Recommendations included improving materials and pedagogy in lieu of merely broadening information. Brahma Kumaris participated in events by coordinating work with the Ethics & Values group of PrepCom-1 and proposing, before the December Summit, a panel on “Images and Voices of Hope: A Question of Choice.” The PrepCom-3 phase of the preparatory process is scheduled for September. — Linda Krentzman, New York, USA, e-mail bkun@bkwsu.com