The prediction, in brief:

Unless African countries become full actors in the global information revolution, the gap between the haves and have-nots will widen, opening the possibility of increased marginalisation of the continent. This gap will increase the likelihood of cultural, religious and ethnic ghettos leading to regional and inter-regional conflicts.

Predictor: Jipguep, Jean

Prediction, in context:

Jean Jipguep, chairman of the International Telecommunication Union Board, delivered the keynote address at the Internet Society’s 1995 International Networking Conference June 27-30. Jipguep says:”The African Regional Symposium on Telematics for Development took place in Addis Ababa from 3 to 7 April, 1995 to address key issues … Extension of the Internet as a tool for development was one of the major preoccupations of the 250 participating government policy makers, post and telecommunications officials, system operators, equipment suppliers, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, users and donors. Among their conclusions were: – Unless African countries become full actors in the global information revolution, the gap between the haves and have-nots will widen, opening the possibility of increased marginalisation of the continent. This gap will increase the likelihood of cultural, religious and ethnic ghettos leading to regional and inter-regional conflicts … – Developments in the telematics field make it possible for Africans, particularly in rural areas, to have dramatically increased access to communications and information, accelerating and bolstering sustainable development.”

Date of prediction: June 1, 1995

Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues

Subtopic: Digital Divide

Name of publication: ISOC INET '95 (conference)

Title, headline, chapter name: The Global Telecommunications Infrastructure and the Information Society

Quote Type: Direct quote

Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.isoc.org/HMP/PLENARY/L1-6/html/paper.html

This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney