1. Jerome Simpson Head, Information Programme
Technology for All Bridging the Digital Divide in Central and Eastern Europe
ICT and Environmental Democracy
WSIS/‘Aarhus’ Convention Side Event
Jerome Simpson
Head, Information Programme
Wednesday 10th December 2003

2. The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe: Building Environmental Democracy
• Head quartered in Hungary, with 9 Programmes, 15 country offices, established 1990, >30 donor countries
• A mission driven, not-for-profit organisation promoting regional cooperation and local dialog between diverse stakeholders
An Information Programme focused on providing and promoting access to information
REC’s mission is firmly focused on building environmental democracy and has now accumulated more than 13 years experience in this field. Working with governments, NGOs, local government, the media and business to help foster the development of civil society.
Activities have included fostering equitable access to meaningful, current, complete environmental information, promoting public participation in environmental decisionmaking, development of domestic and international legislation such as the Aarhus Convention, experience sharing, publishing and sharing manuals and guidebooks, supporting NGO development and networking, sharing environmental information and in the last 5 years sharing technology and know-how through education and training, presentation, exchanges etc.

3. REC: Bridging the Digital Divide
Collaboration with EC/DG Information Society showcasing ‘ISTs’ for data collection/storage
In South Eastern Europe funding national environmental information system development and e-networking of NGOs
Founding the ‘Aarhus’ Electronic Tools Task Force to share ICT experience on information access at pan-European level
Why? Because equitable ICT access is also a pre-requisite for sound environmental decisionmaking and citizen participation. Information and communication technology is critical for information exchange, communications, networking society, online governance etc.
Following ‘Kiev,’ transferring ‘lessons learned’ to Turkey and the EECCA region

4. Technology: Bridging the Digital Divide
Tools at our disposal…
& Best practices…
Press releases – by , fax, post; TV broadcasts, teletext; Web portals, including noticeboards, accessible via TV and phone too; Touch-tone dialling; Electronic Billboards; Infoshops and Libraries taking information and IT to communities.
Many of these tools are available not only for one-way dissemination but two-way information exchange, dialogue and communication.

5. The Future: Bridging the Digital Divide
Key challenges (e-governance)
Key solutions
Transferring national best practices to the local & rural level
Clearly defining all institutional responsibilities
Updating legislation, protocols
Education, training, staff-exchange, site visits
Financing
E-governance
NGO networks
Mobile society?
Libraries (for environment)
On the basis of these best practices, REC advocates equitable ICT access as a pre-requisite for sound environmental decisionmaking and citizen participation. Information and communication technology is critical for information exchange, communications, networking society, online governance etc.
But not all technology is yet proven safe. Cell phones, transmitters, and wireless LANs are emerging concerns and more effective communication and dialog is needed on the potential risks of EM and driving, in light of rising public concern.
And not all of us are ‘wired,’ and many may still or nowadays prefer to read a newspaper or visit the library. Therefore choice of your communications medium and vehicle is also key.
‘Equitable access’ is the emerging catch phrase, and a great deal of interest rests with libraries. A traditional access point for trustworthy information, they have much potential to serve local communities as the conduit for environmental news and resources. The advantage is the already existing infrastructure, plus the tradition of being “one of the only institutions in a local community that is open to all regardless of income, employment status, education, ethnic origin, gender or ability”
Not only this. They may also hold the key to bridging that oft-talked about ‘digital divide’ by providing citizens access to the Internet (and training too). That potential is something the library profession is already well-aware of and chomping at the bit to exploit. Potential that all in the environment profession should consider strategically allying itself with, especially if a better environment remains our ultimate goal.