There is room in cyberspace for ACP countries, say MEPs
A joint parliamentary session between the EU and ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) countries has urged the EU to help developing countries set up their own communications systems. German MEP Karin Junker told the joint parliamentary assembly that the goal of the ACP-EU development cooperation must be to devise a united strategy to close the digital gap between the countries of the North and the South. 'The fact is that there is room in cyberspace for developing countries and it is worth helping them up,' she said. Ms Junker presented a report outlining how information and communication technology can benefit society, for example with Internet health networks, distance learning and environmental information. ACP parliamentarians welcomed the analysis but called for practical proposals setting out how the EU could help. Swedish MEP Anders Wijkman called for an approach similar to that of the EU's own eEurope initiative, and questioned why information technology is missing from the European Commission's development strategy. Ms Junker stressed that there is no standard formula for introducing global communications to ACP countries. Whilst Africa is struggling to deal with illiteracy and inadequate infrastructure, the Pacific's small islands face communication problems. The Caribbean on the other hand has the advantages of cable links and widespread knowledge of English. The EU meanwhile benefits from imported skilled IT workers from developing countries such as India.