Canada is wired to a world where technology unites and divides.

The views expressed in this publication are provided here to stimulate discussion and learning. They do not reflect the views of Canada’s World staff, reviewers, funders, collaborators, or the SFU Centre for Dialogue.

We are living in the middle of a worldwide revolution in communications. Our ability to connect and exchange information-- with people, businesses and communities all over the world -- has changed dramatically. Some say these changes are for the better as they give us new means of working, learning, keeping in touch, shopping, and sharing our perspectives. Others see these changes negatively, as they reduce our face-to-face contacts, and encourage us to become isolated in virtual reality. No matter which perspective you take, the fact that Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) will continue to evolve and bring changes to our lives is undeniable. In Canada alone, the percentage of the population using the Internet has increased from 40.3% to 67.8% since 2000. Worldwide, usage has grown over 248% in the same time period. It may seem hard to believe, therefore, that globally only 19% of the population is accessing the Internet. ICT benefits certain individuals and groups but excludes those who lack access to technology. It offers promises, but also poses challenges

While ICT both unites and divides, one thing is certain: ICT moves faster than our society's capacity to understand its applications and implications. Technologies always develop faster than policy, so governments are left playing catch-up. Historically policy-making on ICT has been dominated by governments and industry. Given the extent to which ICT policies affect the lives of citizens and communities, there is no better time than now to inform ourselves, and think about what role Canada should play in the global ICT environment. Canada must ensure that domestic and international policies reflect and keep pace with a globally connected, rapidly changing world. What are the values, interests and assets that we believe should inform our policy choices in this field? This discussion guide provides information and background to help set the stage for your deliberations on these questions.

What is Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)?

Communications technology has been changing throughout recorded history - the invention of the printing press in the 15th Century, is but one example of a major change. But until the late 20th Century communication happened face-to-face, through the postal system or over the phone. Traditional media -- newspapers, radio and TV -- were mainly aimed at local, regional or national audiences. The invention and marketing of the personal computer and the launch of the Internet, linking computers and their users together in a global network, changed this, reducing the importance of geography and paving the way for a World Wide Web and a revolution in how people connect across distances.

Things have changed dramatically even in the last decade. The Internet has moved beyond the home base of the personal computer and can be accessed from handheld devices like mobile phones and BlackBerries (a Canadian invention). This portability means investors in Toronto can now use mobile phones to sell and buy at the stock market the same way that rural farmers around the world can check the current market price for their crops.

What makes the communications revolution even more exciting is the evolution of the World Wide Web to what is often called "Web 2.0". We have a new way of sharing our own opinions and creations - bypassing record companies by promoting our music on MySpace, side-stepping traditional newspapers by posting our views on blogs, making our own movies outside of studios and posting them on YouTube. This opening up of the web to ordinary citizens, like other aspects of the communications revolution, offers promises but also poses challenges, as we will explore next.

Next section: Background