PANEL ON EDUCATION/TRAINING RELATED TO NIT AND GII

The Global Information Infrastructure : A Latin American and Caribbean Perspective

Mariano A. Maura

Director & Professor
Graduate School of Library & Information Science
University of Puerto Rico
Rio Piedras, PR 00931
m_maura@upr1.upr.clu.edu

Introduction

More than a decade ago, some Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries migrated from closed to open economies. In doing so, they entered into a world of great competence and diversity. This movement provoked dramatic changes in the internal structures of these countries. Among the changes that occurred were the decentralization of operations, the reorganization of production, and the reinforcement of scientific management and strategic planning. The combined effect of such changes has resulted in a significant increase in production and foreign investment and, consequently, a rise in the gross national product (GNP) of these countries (e.g., Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Mexico).

In only a few cases in the LAC region has this economic renaissance been accompanied by the development of an appropriate information infrastructure, a critical supporting factor. In addition, information professionals have not been recognized as key elements within the economic development process.

An international campaign needs to be developed aimed at making both private and public decision makers aware of the advantages of building an information infrastructure, as well as the necessity of the formation of informa-tion professionals, both of which will play instrumental roles in strengthening the countries' efforts toward a sustainable economic development. By raising these issues in an international forum, the intention is to gain support for a general crusade focusing on making politicians, industrialists, and business people aware of the importance of supporting the development of an informational infrastruc-ture parallel and supplemental to the process of economic development.

The NIT`94 conference provides the opportunity for presenting and discuss-ing a series of ideas concerning the planning of the GII agenda. Within this context, this chapter presents an overview of some general trends currently present in most of the LAC countries, including a series of common problems and issues and some alternatives and strategies for dealing with these problems. It is important to note that these trends, generalizations and exceptions exist. Limitations of time and space mean that only an overview of the regional situa-tion related to LAC can be presented, along with some oversimplification. How-ever, this is intended to provide a general framework around which the sugges-tions about the GII can be elaborated. In discussing these, the pattern suggested by the Chief Conference Organizer is followed. It includes the kind of GII relevant for the LAC region, some suggestions on how to establish it, and the most significant trends related to the use of new information technology (NIT) in libraries and information centers in this region. Finally, the three most urgent agenda items are pointed out.

Problems and Issues

Typically, the educational systems in the developing regions are founded on static knowledge and rules, which preclude the search for varied sources of information. The acquisition of knowledge is usually limited to information sources provided by teachers. It is important to abandon the tradition of the so called "one-text courses." In this context, the usefulness of libraries or informa-tion centers are very limited; therefore, their existence and support is difficult to justify.

More dynamic educational systems are necessary in which the systematic search for information, as the basis for informed decision making, is promoted. The careful consideration of different alternatives for the solution of a problem, including the analysis and synthesis of information in order to reach a final solution, is a process that must be included in the curricula as early as possible, even at the elementary education level. Courses on information literacy need to be integrated into the curriculum and presented as part of public educational campaigns aimed at citizens in general.

Parallel to the previous situation is another -- the result of combined factors such as the diminishing importance of libraries and the low profile and salaries of information professionals. These factors have negatively affected the develop-ment of libraries or information centers in the LAC region, as well as the pro-grams leading to the formation of information professionals. Most of the library and information science (LIS) programs of the region are focused on the forma-tion of library technicians. The lack of graduate-level programs is evident.

Although the region, as a whole, has demonstrated economic progress, the ruling class remains unaware of the importance of systematic management of information. Consequently, information personnel are not seen as key partici-pants in this process.

The economic development of LAC can be better served by a systematically planned information infrastructure. The human resources component responsible for providing the needed information services should be skilled in identifying and satisfying the information needs of their clientele.

Due to a lack of awareness and the persistent economic constraints in most of the LAC countries, the development of appropriate information collections has not been considered a high priority. Therefore, the availability of strategic infor-mation is not always possible. In addition, the fragility of the distribution chan-nels for this information presents serious difficulties. It is necessary to develop a decentralized, but coordinated information network to function as the backbone for this region. The development of such an information network should be closely related to scientific and technological advances, because the sustainable success of the LAC economies should emphasize not just production, but the generation of new technology. Traditionally, research and development (R & D) projects in LAC countries have been economically supported by the govern-ments; however, this is not sufficient, and the participation of private investment in these projects is crucial.

In many cases, the access to business, scientific and technical information is available only in few specialized information centers. Because their services are usually restricted to institutional members, or do not include document delivery systems, this information is not available to a broader public.

At present, several initiatives for regional market integration are being deve-loped (e.g., Mercosur, Pacto Andino, and Grupo 3). Some of the informational issues that these initiatives will face include providing specific details about the participating countries, the status of their economies, natural resources, industrial production, trade laws, patents, and so on. All of this information should be available to the various economic sectors in quick, effective, and manageable ways.

Alternatives and Strategies

The information infrastructure necessary in the context previously described should include the development of national and regional information centers specialized in specific knowledge areas, or the strengthening of those with already recognized services. Such centers should incorporate the appropriate information technology and should provide information in a quick, flexible, and effective way. They should have skillful personnel able to identify clients' information needs, conduct information searching using the various formats, analyze, synthesize, and repackage information according to clients' needs. The information centers should be satisfaction-oriented for the client. Total Quality Management principles should be followed in their organizational structure and in the management of their services. Cooperative collection development programs should be developed among the information centers of the region. Unnecessary duplication of resources should be avoided, whereas the maximiza-tion of use should be emphasized. Dynamic and effective document delivery systems should be developed. Initiatives should be taken by these centers to make public and private managers aware of the importance of information as a fundamental basis for development and supportive of the centers' role in this process.

Establishing the Information Infrastructure

The creation and continued support of national and regional information centers should be based on a joint venture, including national, public and/or private donors, and international agencies. A significant portion of the financial aid provided by developed countries to the developing regions should be used to create or reinforce the information infrastructure of these regions. The various market integration projects in the LAC region should allocate funds for informa-tion infrastructure development and support.

It is extremely important to convince public and private donors about the positive economic implications of their donations. It is also necessary to develop better ways to explain the effect that an investment of a specific amount of money in the information system of an organization will have.

Special curricula need to be developed to prepare personnel for those informa-tion centers. Adaptations of current curricula may be possible, emphasizing management and provision of information according to the specific characteris-tics of particular centers.

Major Trends in the Use of NIT in the LAC Region and Difficulties Faced

The three most important trends are:

All possible efforts need to be taken to make decision makers of the LAC region aware of the role of both information and information professionals in the economic development process. Obviously this awareness should be accompani-ed by a serious commitment to provide support for the various aspects of the GII development, particularly at national and regional levels. International funding agencies should also reaffirm their commitment to support the economic deve-lopment of the region by facilitating the consolidation of the regional information infrastructure in a variety of different ways.

As a final note, it should be remembered that the mere abundance and avail-ability of information is not conducive to better action. What is crucial are exam-ples or models on how to transfer specific information into effective action.
 

Q & A_________________

DISCUSSIONS

[Ching-chih Chen]

Thank you very much, Mariano. Last year at NIT '93, Annie Thompson and I were talking about this. We worked very hard to try to find out how to kill two birds at the same time. So, with the sponsorship of the Organization of American States (OAS), we were able to bring 14 Latin American library school educators from 14 countries to NIT '93, and then, after that, they stayed on to have another day-intensive meeting at the University of Puerto Rico on Distance Education and Learning. Annie, do you have any additions to what Mariano presented on distance education before I open up for general questions and comments?

[Annie Thompson]

I think that Mariano probably did not have a chance to mention this. As a result of last years's meeting, he was able to establish a ListServ for Latin American Educators at the University of Puerto Rico.

[Daniel Ortiz]

I have questions for Mariano. What is the purpose of ListServ, and what is it accomplishing now? Do you envision that this pilot project is an open opportu-nity for distance education from Puerto Rico? And, how does this relate to what we will be discussing in small sections tomorrow?

[Mariano Maura]

Going back to the question of ListServ, that was a result of a concensus. Before the encounter of the Latin American educators meeting held in San Juan, we did a survey asking them for some specific details. When analyzing these, we realized that we needed to develop a facility to allow us to communicate with each other, and we also recognized that one of the problems in keeping the groups of educators informed in terms of channels of communications did not exist. We had no means of keeping informed. So, we decided to create this ListServ which is available for anyone who is interested to subscribe. At this point, we have 70 subscribers, already participating and exchanging ideas and common things related to education in the region. And, in relation to your second question, yes, of course, the pilot which we are considering to develop in Puerto Rico will be extremely relevant for what we are discussing here. Curious-ly, the UNESCO regional school, which is serving Latin America (in a way I agree with Mr. Wali from Nigeria) is not working very well. I think that one of the biggest problems is that once the funding support stops, everything stops as well.

[Marinus Swanepoel]

Thank you, I would like to comment on Herbert's comment on NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations). Maybe a word of caution: It seems that while the government was illegitimate from an international viewpoint, the NGOs were blooming and had a very good time. Now, with a democratic government in place, the NGOs are whithering: no funds are provided by international organiza-tions any longer because the government is now legitimate.

[M. Wali]

I just want to underscore one of the facts raised by Herbert with regard to culture determining the attitude toward information. It is true that most ministries in developing countries will have a different kind of attitude depending on the agen-cy making the inquiry. For example, if an NGO is likely to give money, you give them appropriate information to solicit sympathy or support. If somebody is suspected to be a CIA agent specifically, definitely different information will be given. This is a terrible situation. Generally, real information or knowledge in our culture is not to be written down for public consumption. What we don't care about, we would like for everyone to have, and what is really important, you keep for yourself. Depending on the kind of motive of the inquirer, you must know him, trust him, before you can share the information with him. This is even in a work situation.

[Herbert Achleitner]

While it is true that some of the external funding may dry up, e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development (US AID) may shift its diminishing fund-ing to other projects, other contributors like the Japanese, Koreans, Germans, etc., may for political reason continue such financial support. With the collapse of native authoritarian regimes, NGOs have lost some of their raison d'etre; however, those with good leadership and vision of the future are already in the process of a transformation themselves and finding new opportunities to help their country. I don't know what the outcome will be, but if we think in terms of their potential role in the emerging GII, then I am very hopeful. It is important to understand that NGOs are a tremendous source of local talent. Often these are the people that have some of the best education in their country, have linkages to the outside world, and thus have a global perspective. They are passionate about their country's need and understand the requirements of political, social, and economic development.

[Mariano Maura]

I just want to add to what Mr. Wali said. In addition to this lack of information is that the real strategic information for our development is not in our country; it is elsewhere outside the country. It is not necessarily available either, and, when available, is not necessarily useful, because people are not prepared to use that information. So, that is an even more difficult problem. A case in point is the data coming from remote sensing, which is extremely important for the develop-ment of our natural resources.

[Herbert Achleitner]

Information handling is a serious problem in some developing countries. Mostly this is the result of long periods of experience which retarded the development of civic institutions. Access to information was discouraged and often punished. The government tended to be hostile to any dissemination of information, whether from their ministries, from private sources, or from the outside world. This attitude spawned a culture that distrusted information and was even hostile to the free flow of information. I have encountered these attitudes while analyz-ing the information situation at a large government organization in Paraguay. What I found was an organization of several thousand employees that dealt with a lot of vital economics which had to be accurate and timely. But, the organiza-tion was highly structured and hierarchical. Information was not shared freely; rather, it was hoarded by the bosses who jealously guarded all information coming their way. In a situation such as this, teaching them how to handle information -- repackaging, indexing, abstracting, evaluating, synthesizing -- is critical. Another issue is trust: Can you trust the information that was sent to you? It really implies an attitude shift among people in such a situation. One answer was looking for stakeholders, i.e., people who were ready for change and willing to work in small teams to learn how to process information.