6. CONCLUSION

"The information revolution offers Africa a dramatic opportunity to leapfrog into the future, breaking out of decades of stagnation or decline. Africa must seize this opportunity quickly. If African countries cannot take advantage of the information revolution and surf this great wave of technological change, they may be crushed by it. In that case, they are likely to be even more marginalized and economically stagnant in the future than they are today. "
World Bank. 1996. Increasing Internet Connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Early Internet users in developing countries have proven that they can develop excellent local services and locally appropriate knowledge resources. However, without support from development agencies, there is a risk that such efforts will never meet the needs of people in rural and communities.

Several development agencies are currently assisting with the expansion of locally managed Internet services in developing countries. Among them, FAO has pioneered a "communication for development" approach for catalyzing Internet services, an approach that begins with the needs of people in rural and agricultural communities. Collaboratively initiated pilot projects between agencies which are linked to local rural and agriculture organizations can help ensure that rural communities and agricultural organizations remain part of regional and national Internet initiatives.

The integrated approach suggested in this paper as a way to catalyze horizontal and vertical communication channels and enhance Internet project sustainability needs further applied research and study. The best way to learn more about how to achieve beneficial services is to engage in pilot project activities and to document and share what is learned.

The time to act to support Internet knowledge and communication systems in developing countries is now. Today we truly live in a global village, but it is a village with elite information "haves" and many information "have-nots." With the new technologies available to us we have an opportunity to change this.

Adopting a proactive strategy, and acting to bring the Internet to rural and agricultural communities in developing countries will help enable rural people to face the unprecedented challenges brought on by the changing global economy, political changes, environmental degradation and demographic pressures. To deal with these challenges, and to make critical decisions, people at all levels of society, and especially the food insecure and the organizations that serve and represent them, must be able to access critical information and communicate. Improved communication and information access are directly related to social and economic development (World Bank, 1995).

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GLOSSARY

backbone
The main channel in a network, through which all smaller, or lower speed networks can communicate.

bandwidth
The information carrying capacity of a communication channel.

best practices
Practical project and programme methodologies and strategies that achieve developmental results.

cybercafe
A community-based service that provides computers linked to the Internet for people who do not own them. Typically, cybercafes are run by local entrepreneurs, and are often part of telecentres, restaurants, coffee shops or bars. An hourly fee is usually charged.

cybercitizens
People who have integrated the Internet into their life and work. The term connotes the borderless nature of the Internet and the global nature of Internet use.

cyberspace
A term currently used to refer to the digital world constructed by computer networks, in particular the Internet.

decision support networks
Networked information databases designed to provide decision makers with an analyses of knowledge derived from complex data sources.

digital whiteboard
In a collaborative networked computer environment, the equivalent of a whiteboard and markers used in classrooms and boardrooms, that enables users, even in different locations, to sketch, draw and write on a commonly viewed computer screen. equivalent of a whiteboard and markets used in classrooms and boardrooms that enables users, even in different locations, to sketch, draw and write on a commonly viewed computer screen.

expert systems
A computer programme that simulates the judgment and behavior of a human or an organisation. An agricultural expert system can enable farmers and extension workers to access specific research expertise and analysis without having to directly contact agricultural experts.

farmer field schools
Adult and/or non-formal learning opportunities for farmers and rural people. Usually delivered as group learning programmes, and sometimes in "schools without walls" contexts in rural areas.

hands-on
Refers to direct contact and experience with computer technology and networks such as the Internet.

hits
The number of times a World Wide Web page of information is accessed by Internet users.

homepage
The first page on a Web site that acts as the starting point for navigation.

host
A computer linked to the Internet and maintained by an individual or organization that acts as server of information and services to other Internet users.

information super-highway
A sometimes controversial metaphor for the Internet and related computer networks and information and communication technologies

last mile of connectivity
A phrase that generally refers to rural and often remote communities that are normally the last to receive the benefits of telecommunication and Internet services. Some rural and remote community members prefer the term "first mile of connectivity" to help sensitize decision-makers to the importance of rural community access to telecommunication and Internet services.

leased line
A dedicated telephone line rented for exclusive use to connect two locations. Leased lines are often used to connect mid-- sized local networks to an Internet service provider.

mirror site
Identical collections of World Wide Web pages stored on independent Internet host computers that enable Internet users to access information and services from host computers that are geographically close, or provide faster access. For example World Wide Web services in the North that are targeted to users in the South may provide a "mirror site" closer to those users. Heavily used World Wide Web services may provide mirror sites to reduce Internet traffic congestion.

node
A point of connection or link in a network.

on-line
The "state" of being connected to a network.

search engines
Programmes on the Internet that allow users to search through massive databases of information.

server
A computer that is shared by several users of a network. Internet servers are also shared with general Internet users when they are connected to an Internet node.

surf
The act of using a computer to view and peruse information on the World Wide Web.

telecentre
A telecommunication office or facility that is open to the public to enable people to access telephone, fax and/or Internet services such as electronic mail or the World Wide Web. A telecentre may be privately owned and managed by entrepreneurs or telephone companies, or they may be owned and managed by non-governmental organizations, cooperatives, government offices or not-for-profit institutions. Users will often pay fees for equipment and telecommunication line usage.

backbone	The main channel in a network, through which all smaller, or lower speed networks can communicate.
bandwidth	The information carrying capacity of a communication channel.
best practices	Practical project and programme methodologies and strategies that achieve developmental results.
cybercafe	A community-based service that provides computers linked to the Internet for people who do not own them. Typically, cybercafes are run by local entrepreneurs, and are often part of telecentres, restaurants, coffee shops or bars. An hourly fee is usually charged.
cybercitizens	People who have integrated the Internet into their life and work. The term connotes the borderless nature of the Internet and the global nature of Internet use.
cyberspace	A term currently used to refer to the digital world constructed by computer networks, in particular the Internet.
decision support networks	Networked information databases designed to provide decision makers with an analyses of knowledge derived from complex data sources.
digital whiteboard	In a collaborative networked computer environment, the equivalent of a whiteboard and markers used in classrooms and boardrooms, that enables users, even in different locations, to sketch, draw and write on a commonly viewed computer screen. equivalent of a whiteboard and markets used in classrooms and boardrooms that enables users, even in different locations, to sketch, draw and write on a commonly viewed computer screen.
expert systems	A computer programme that simulates the judgment and behavior of a human or an organisation. An agricultural expert system can enable farmers and extension workers to access specific research expertise and analysis without having to directly contact agricultural experts.
farmer field schools	Adult and/or non-formal learning opportunities for farmers and rural people. Usually delivered as group learning programmes, and sometimes in "schools without walls" contexts in rural areas.
hands-on	Refers to direct contact and experience with computer technology and networks such as the Internet.
hits	The number of times a World Wide Web page of information is accessed by Internet users.
homepage	The first page on a Web site that acts as the starting point for navigation.
host	A computer linked to the Internet and maintained by an individual or organization that acts as server of information and services to other Internet users.
information super-highway	A sometimes controversial metaphor for the Internet and related computer networks and information and communication technologies
last mile of connectivity	A phrase that generally refers to rural and often remote communities that are normally the last to receive the benefits of telecommunication and Internet services. Some rural and remote community members prefer the term "first mile of connectivity" to help sensitize decision-makers to the importance of rural community access to telecommunication and Internet services.
leased line	A dedicated telephone line rented for exclusive use to connect two locations. Leased lines are often used to connect mid-- sized local networks to an Internet service provider.
mirror site	Identical collections of World Wide Web pages stored on independent Internet host computers that enable Internet users to access information and services from host computers that are geographically close, or provide faster access. For example World Wide Web services in the North that are targeted to users in the South may provide a "mirror site" closer to those users. Heavily used World Wide Web services may provide mirror sites to reduce Internet traffic congestion.
node	A point of connection or link in a network.
on-line	The "state" of being connected to a network.
search engines	Programmes on the Internet that allow users to search through massive databases of information.
server	A computer that is shared by several users of a network. Internet servers are also shared with general Internet users when they are connected to an Internet node.
surf	The act of using a computer to view and peruse information on the World Wide Web.
telecentre	A telecommunication office or facility that is open to the public to enable people to access telephone, fax and/or Internet services such as electronic mail or the World Wide Web. A telecentre may be privately owned and managed by entrepreneurs or telephone companies, or they may be owned and managed by non-governmental organizations, cooperatives, government offices or not-for-profit institutions. Users will often pay fees for equipment and telecommunication line usage.