Telecommunications, Developed Countries and Development of Less Developed Coutries (LDCs)

Developed countries assist in the development of LDCs in various ICT projects and other development projects. This role should be emphasized here because developed countries have the financial or economic muscle to provide development aid to LDCs without compromising their own financial standing or development plans. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), with many developed country members, which assist developing countries with the development of telecommunications infrastructures of many LDCs, is a notable example. Also, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) develops various ICT projects in African and Asian countries, such as the development of telecentres. 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 the G8 countries to assist developing countries in their development programmes and activities, and project implementation towards sustainable development. In Canada, President Mbeki explained to the G8 the importance of the New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) for African development and how the G8 could assist Africa towards the implementation of NEPAD's projects. NEPAD's objectives amongst other 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 in that regard
• the promotion of good governance and democratic principles in some African countries such as Zimbabwe.

Spearheaded by the heads of state of South Africa, Nigeria and Senegal among other countries, NEPAD is the first African development programme, which has received support both from the developed and developing world, aimed at promoting sustainable African development. This cooperation between developed and developing countries in NEPAD is an application of the participatory theory of development communication where development goals and strategies are negotiated between all parties (those being developed and those who are developing others) involved in the development project. NEPAD's prime policy is that Africa put its own house in order first, before development in Africa can be achievable and in turn sustainable, and before other countries can assist in this sustainable development. The next sub-section discusses telecommunications' role in economic development.