Top > Webmaster > 2006 > October > 2006-10-01

Kofi Annan Promotes Technology

Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General, together with Intel Board Chairman Craig Barrett is promoting the digital era at the United Nations. Barrett is the leader of the UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development, whose aim is to unite groups and organizations in an attempt to extend the use of technology around the globe. The alliance members` main purpose is to focus on the way in which technology can bring improvements to different life spheres, such as healthcare, education, governance, economic development and others.

Barrett said in an interview: "It`s tough to get more impact than going to a school and seeing kids` eye open to the world". He talked about a trip to Brazil, where kids who had never seen a computer before, learned to surf the net in an instant. Now, as Brret said, they can see not only Brazil, "they can see the world".

The UN Department of Public Information stated that in 2004, only seven percent of the population in the developing countries were connected to the Internet, in comparison with 54 percent in the developed world. Annan and Barrett encourage different business, finance and government leaders to take part in the alliance and help raise worldwide access to technology. Kofi Annan had praised Silicon Valley for willing to dedicate more power in order to understand the needs of the poor people of the world.