Conclusions

Traditionally communication between countries was transmitted using diplomatic services and diplomatic personnel. As a result, nation states dominated international communication. With the advent of new media technology and/or ICTs in the information society and the rise of the use of these ICTs in the developing world, traditional communication has changed and has been replaced by electronic communications using computer networks across national borders.

Countries now interact more in international fora such as the IGOs discussed in this study unit. The number of international organizations has increased as years go by and significant changes are made annually innovation-wise in the information technology (IT) field. New media facilitate new and fast ways of international and inter-state communication. States are no longer dominating international communication and international fora, but the private sector, by manufacturing new media which drive ICT policies and changes, is taking giant steps in decision-making within international organizations. The public and private sectors are, therefore, taking leads and leaps in establishing policies with regulate how governments, the private sector, NGOs, consumers big and small, and other interested parties use ICTs for various goals and functions in many countries which are members of international organizations. Governments in developing countries, such as South Africa, are spreading the ICT gospel within their own borders, that local people, educational institutions and other major stakeholders, should make use of new media technologies, to leapfrog into information societies where most people have access to ICTs, make use of them, are able to afford them and get information from the ICTs. Information reduces illiteracy and promotes knowledge through which people develop themselves and their communities. For development to occur, people need education. Education promotes job creation, alleviates poverty and imparts skills in people which enable them to improve their lives in one way or another, which is the aim of development.

In addition to understanding the meaning of the concept of development, you should also understand what is meant by sustainable development. Sustainable development is defined as "development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Sharhan 2000:44). Information and communication technologies (ICTs), with their huge capacities to produce, transmit and store information within countries and across national borders, also have the capacity to allow people and organisations to share this wealth of knowledge in the pursuance of development goals.

One of the most important preconditions for the full and comprehensive implementation of sustainable development is the need for a sustainable information society. To this end, developing countries have to establish, develop or upgrade their information and communications infrastructure for the obvious important linkages and relationship with the concept of sustainable development. ICTs provide for information-sharing and information storage towards sustainable development.

We should, however, emphasise the role to be played by developed countries in assisting developing countries in achieving sustainable development goals. South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has addressed the G8 countries on numerous occasions (for example in Brussels in 1995 and in Canada in 2002), about the need for G8 countries to assist developing countries in their processes and project implementation towards sustainable development. In Canada, in 2002, President Mbeki explained to the G8 the importance of the New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). NEPAD's, objectives, are:

• The development of African countries through the use of ICTs
  
• The ending of wars in Africa
  
• The improvement of African economies and job-creation where ICTs are viewed as key economic enablers
  
• The promotion of good governance and democratic principles in some African countries such as Zimbabwe.