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A
critical luxury
 As
the world becomes more digitally interdependent, access to digital
networks and technology becomes critical and moves from a
luxury to a necessity. Government services, education, job
opportunities, and trade are all moving towards digital creation
and distribution as a means to reach people more efficiently.
Yet, this access remains out of reach for much of the world’s
population.
Access is only the beginning
Just providing universal access is not enough. To take full
advantage of the benefits of the digital world, citizens
must be able to participate, to contribute, and to influence.
They need a voice in how technology and the political, social,
and economic policies that govern it evolve. Those that do
not have this will be confined to the role of “recipients”
forced to accept the choices made by more influential participants
who might have little knowledge of or concern for the needs
and priorities of others.
The global gateway
Open ICT standardization can provide an economical, reliable,
and innovative means for enabling greater participation using
communications networks like the Internet and the World Wide
Web. Technology architectures based upon open ICT standards
can lead to more equitable access, consumer choice, and competition.
The crux of ICT standardization is not in the technologies.
Rather, the true power of standardization is based in the
world’s often conflicting political, legal, and economic
infrastructures that affect standardization. The decisions
made in these arenas create the local and international rules
that deeply impact network participation. Those decisions
will be the gateway that determines who will benefit from
technology and who will be left behind.
About this conference
This highly interactive conference will examine how open standardization can enable all stakeholders to participate in the benefits and governance of the digital world. It is driven by the following global changes:
- Developing economies are predicted to contribute 50% to the growth in world trade by 2030
- Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for the majority of businesses in regions such as Europe and South America
- Consumers will come to rely more heavily on the digital world for jobs, government services, education, and healthcare
Expert panelists will participate in four areas:
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