Changing Communications for a Closer Commonwealth? : St. Catharine's Conference Report No. 38 (Windsor, England, June 1993) / Geoffrey J. Williams.

This conference reviewed the past and likely future impact of advances in the technology of communications on the Commonwealth and the countries of the Commonwealth. There is potential gain in terms of economic development from the leap-frogging of technologies, but there is not a lot of optimism that the new technology will help to narrow the gap between developing and developed countries. Applications of new technology in education have been less effective than in the business world. It is in the media that some of the most significant impacts have occurred, as exemplified by the collapse of the Eastern bloc, which, as portrayed by the media, has been an example for change in other countries. Messages the world receives through the media are currently coming largely from the West, but the growing economic strength of the Asian Pacific countries, few of which are in the Commonwealth, could bring about a change of focus. Improved communications technology could strengthen Commonwealth links. It is recommended that freedom of information be added to the Declaration of Commonwealth Principles. (Author/SLD)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.