The Ilham Winter 2010

22 THE ILHAM A Journal of Contemporary Digital Policy blogs and other forms of social media. The same is true in China.The web didn’t evolve. It was already a fully functioning technology, complete with powerful search engines, when it reached China’s teen population. And because the web is a low-cost form of entertainment in China (approximately 30 cents U.S. per hour), on-line social activity became a popular source of entertainment for virtually all segments of the Chinese population. However, because the web “appeared” one day, rather than evolving slowly as it did in North America and Europe, the Chinese government has yet to fully appreciate how to direct the positive benefits the world wide web offers in the arenas of commerce, education, entertainment and engagement with the rest of what is now, clearly, a global community. Given the lessons learned in China, how should Islamic governments, and countries with large Muslim populations, react to this technology? First, recognize that the World Wide Web is a reality that isn’t going to disappear.The genie is out of the bottle and there’s no way to put it back in. Recognize the benefits of engagement, especially among the young members of any society.The World Wide Web offers the opportunity to learn AND to teach. When we, as a people, engage other cultures we create greater understanding of views that differ from our own. THE ONLY WAYTO PREDICT THE FUTURE ISTO CREATE IT Currently, there is an opportunity for governments, religious leaders, businesses, media and influential individuals to encourage the use of Internet cafes and provide access to the World Wide Web as an uncensored, open portal that leads to real engagement with others in the same sphere. The World Wide Web isn’t a passing fad that will vanish in a few months. It’s an invaluable tool that greatly improves productivity within countries and individuals. The ability to collaborate on line, for example, is an obviously valuable educational tool. Distance learning, through sites like Moodle.com, brings the university classroom to the student in a remote village, educating the population conveniently, inexpensively and interactively. On-line seminars provide learning opportunities on industry-specific topics. Further, these “webinars” encourage the exchange of ideas to the benefit of all digital attendees. Client relations management (CRM) software equips even the smallest start- up business in a remote location to track orders and keep in touch with an expanding client base. Web connectivity breeds understanding between people on a global scale.This is obviously a desirable outcome of unfettered access to the Internet. Internet engagement with others leads to the development of synergies and the development of new concepts, new ideas, new products and improved relations at the national, regional and individual levels. Internet connectivity hastens the development of under-developed economies or economies seeking to grow more quickly within the global marketplace. An uncensored, world wide web provides a level playing field for all.All are welcome; all are encouraged to contribute to the technology and to the information base that grows daily. We all learn from each other. We all teach each other. We all become better people through engagement with other schools of thought, other religious beliefs, other governments, other businesses, other cultures and new friends. THE ROLES OF GOVERNMENT IN CREATING WEB Access Governments, religions, media and cultures offer the most convenient, in- place tools for creating an atmosphere of engagement within the global community. These institutions affect laws, attitudes of citizens and corporate culture within the economy.Thus, government, religious institutions, schools and universities and traditional media are the tools that will have the greatest impact on web accessibility, whether in China, the U.S., the Middle East, or South Asia. What actionable steps should these institutions undertake?These institutions are the leaders in the web-accessibility movement and,as such,wield the greatest influence on web usage among businesses and all segments of the society,from young children to our respected senior population. The Roles of Government in CreatingWeb Access Governments,religions,media and cultures offer the most convenient,in- place tools for creating an atmosphere of engagement within the global community.