Social transformation in an information society: rethinking
access to you and the world The Internet, World Wide Web, mobile
cell phones, digital television, and numerous other new
electronic information and communication technologies (ICTs) are
opening fresh pathways for transforming the way we live, work,
learn and communicate. A strategic opening, redirecting, or
closing of opportunities is central to the bringing of diverse
and substantial social and economic benefits to people across
the globe. At the same time, decisions that affect the design,
accessibility, and use (or non-use) of these technologies could
open or close the wrong gates and shut out individuals,
communities, countries, and regions from the fruits that can be
reached by those who can better control access to themselves,
and from themselves to the world. The degree to which the use of
ICTs brings positive or negative transformations to your life or
makes no difference at all depends not only on the choices made
by many individuals, commun