Principal Voices is intended to be a global debate everyone can participate in, and we are keen to hear your views on the subjects being discussed. These comments will form a central part of the Principal Voices Web site.

How can we bridge the digital divide?

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Name: Ezekwesiri Obioha
Location: Netherlands

As most of the poor are illiterates, it does not make sense to me to teach adults how to read or write when actually they can learn visually.

The company I work for, LGH International, focuses on supporting development projects and education in developing countries through educational TV programs.

Name: Stinky
Location: Bournemouth, UK

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Personally, I think that for information and communication needs, every man woman and child should at the very least have access to these resources, but I think in places like here in the UK, schools are over-reliant on computers in the classroom, and results show children are falling way behind in terms of manual skills attainment.

Eventually, I think that various countries will be in crisis if this current trend carries on/increases because of a lack of skilled craftsmen/woman essential in many industries and services.

Name: Ali Farek Mohamad
Location: Denmark

Dear all, I share the same dream with Baggio. My dream is a bit younger though.

I also believe that world development begins with each of us. I also believe that individual development can be reached by the ability to keep up with the rapid flow our world is undertaking.

What better way than having access to our largest and most updated public library, the internet?

One thing is vital to provide accessibility to the Internet, a PC. The other vital technology that needs to be accessible to all of us is the telecommunication technology that provides the accessibility to the internet.

In many parts of our world, the telecommunication infrastructure is not mature or even does not exist yet. As any other infrastructure, once it is established, it needs a period of time for the return of investment.

During this period, it is most likely that the infrastructure and the services that it supports would not be accessible by those with a weak economy. Not to forget that establishing a new infrastructure for providing the internet to all is not only an issue of massive investment, but is also an issue that is time on a large scale.

My dream is to provide THE infrastructure that is phenomenally less demanding in terms of investment and deployment time. And I think that I know THE way to live this dream. Let us talk.

Name: Lanelle Martin
Location: Bahamas

In the Bahamas we are bridging the digital divide by engaging the public and private sectors to work together on making the Bahamas digitally literate.

The Ministry of Education and the Inter-American Development Bank identified a public private partnership to support the education and training systems in the nation.

Name: Alex M. Bastos
Location: Brazil

Reading good comments about the CDI idea makes me happy. It is important to notice that Brazil is so bad in wealth distribution because of lack of information and knowledge about economics and politics.

With CDIs I hope that poor people from my country can be informed, learn to think for themselves and have good sense when voting in the future.

Name: Antonio Belendez
Location: Tijuana, Mexico

I would like to get in touch with Rodrigo Baggio to know how to start a program like this in Tijuana.

Name: Rinde Fadirepo
Location: U.S.

This is a great effort which is necessary in every developing country. Knowlege is power and the power of the Internet and wireless technology makes information much more accessible than ever before.

Finding ways to enhance availability of computers and Internet access with technological education will allow young citizens to expand their minds and come up with solutions to problems in their society.

Name: Maiwada Zubairu
Location: Nigeria

The best, if not the only way to bridge the digital divide is a sustained effort in bridging the basic educational divide.

How can the world emphasize bridging the digital divide when millions of children are not in school for lack of chalk, text and exercise books and chairs to sit?

Name: Victoria Morel
Location: Jersey, Channel Islands, U.K.

Increase funding for public libraries, a haven for the disenfranchised all over the world.