BUILDINGS A GLOBAL INFORMATION POLICY:Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities

Donald E. Riggs

University Library And School Of Information
University Of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1205, USA
E-Mail: driggs@umich.edu

Electronic networks are connecting daily with one another throughout the world. Advanced technology is making it possible to begin creating effective information infrastructures in developing countries. However, before a global information system can be established in all countries there are several issues that must be resolved; they include: cultural, sociological, economical, and political matters. Parts of the world still lack some basic components of a telecommunications system (e.g., telephones). Moreover, the global information infrastructure is being implemented in a piecemeal manner, without a grand design (e.g., strategic plan) and without the necessary policies. 1. INTRODUCTION

As early as 1980, Futurist Alvin Toffler identified three "waves" of civilization. The First Wave was launched by the agricultural revolution and the Second Wave was driven by the industrial revolution. The Third Wave is creating a new civilization in our midst with its own jobs, life-styles, work ethic, sexual attitudes, concepts of life, economic structures, and political mindsets. Via advanced telecommunications, the Third Wave is creating a global society highly dependent on information creation and transfer. This Information Revolution is having an even greater impact on the world than did the First and Second Waves.

Several conceptual/operational endeavors (e.g., global villages, information superhighway, National Information Infra-structure in the United States) are examples of evidence that leaders in government, information industries, and libraries are genuinely interested in improving the transfer of information from one human being to another. Technology is certainly a means to an end. Nevertheless, it is a proven "enabler" that has the potential for improving the human condition throughout the world.

Thus far, there have been some gigantic steps forward in networks connecting with other networks. Some of these steps have occurred without essentially any long-range planning or general oversight. The Group 7 countries have begun talking about the benefits expected from the Global Information Infrastructure (GII). Library leaders in various countries are holding conferences to exchange ideas on how to improve cooperation; a good example of such a conference is the China-United States Library Conference held in Beijing (August 1996). All of this exploration is certainly necessary. However, it is now time for the creation of global information policy.

2. RATIONALE FOR A GLOBAL INFORMATION POLICY

It would be foolish to imply that there are not national information policies already in place in many countries. Various governments have adopted information policies that have shaped the overarching architecture of the communications and information industries. Policy models comprise a nexus of interrelated principles, rules, and decision-making procedures applicable to a wide variety of issues; for example, standardization, intellectual property rights, regulations, tariffs, and consumer protection. And in some countries information-related policies are based on specific technological and economic properties; the configuration of the political power among the stakeholders involved should not be minimized.

With the continued globalization of knowledge, the changes in knowledge creation, the generation of nonprint formats (e.g., multimedia and digital), the rapid expansion of wireless technology, and the need to increase the level of sharing of information/resources, it is now time to begin the development of a global information policy. Without such a policy, the global information environment will become more like a ship without a rudder. In the broadest terms, the global policy should at least give general direction to the development of universal information/library service, the free flow of information, a compatible interconnection among telecommunication systems, and international asymmetry.

What would be some of the functions of the global information policy? They would:

• Promote uniform handling of similar information exchange activities.

• Introduce continuity of action and decisions among the participants.

• Act as an automatic decision maker by formalizing worldwide answers to previously made decisions about how particular questions and problems should be resolved.

• Offer a predetermined answer to routine issues.

• Afford a mechanism for insulating information leaders from hasty and ill-considered requests for a policy change.

• Serve as a major communication link to the various global constituents.

 A policy has to be more than a platitude. It should provide overall direction to present day and future endeavors. It should not curtail creativity and entrepreneurship. Policies, as guidelines to action, will normally be based on past experiences. However, for a developing country, an information infrastructure may: • address experimentation via information technology,

• stimulate the optimal use of emerging information systems to improve the quality, reliability, accessibility, and timely delivery, and

• provide a framework to resolve problems that may come from the use of information technology.

 In our evolving information-driven world, a global information policy must be evaluated and updated on a regular basis. Policy is a crucial element of strategic planning; in this context, it should be remembered that policy provides the guidelines for the implementation of strategies (courses of action to achieved goals and objectives).

There are several central purposes of information policy; for example, the privacy of individuals and organizations using the Global Information Infrastructure should be protected, the security and reliability of the networks and the information that passes over them should be preserved, and the intellectual property rights of those who create the information should be protected. Policies should be written to assist with solving specific problems, to prevent errors from recurring, and to implement and test information-related strategies.

3. CRITICAL NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY QUESTIONS

During the seventh International Conference on New Information Technology (NIT '94) extensive discussion occurred on policy issues as they pertain to networks and global information systems (Chen, 1995). Following are some examples of the questions brought forth during NIT '94:

• What funding sources and mechanisms will sustain network operations?

• What managerial, administrative, and operational structures are required for network evolution and development?

• How will commercial information service providers be charged for network access and how will network users be charged for commercial information services?

• What is the technological feasibility of allowing commercial information service providers to use the network and other publicly funded research networks?

• How will copyrights of material distributed over the network be predicted?

• What policies are appropriate to insure the security of resources available on the network and to protect the privacy of the users of the network (Chen, 1995).

 The above six questions and many others on the topic deserve thoughtful attention and response. Before a truly effective global information environment that offers a common vision of the future can be realized, there is much work to do in establishing policies that will ensure a coordinated effort among the various global participants.

4. ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

It would be an understatement to say that there are some major challenges standing in the path of a global information policy. In fact, there are many substantial issues and challenges that have to be resolved or accommodated before such a policy can be effectively created and implemented. Following are some of these issues/challenges:

• Financial resources. Many countries do not have the money to acquire the necessary telecommunication systems.

• Limited experience with the outside world and limited knowledge about other cultures.

• Language competencies.

• Standards. Standards do not exist (in all parts of the world) to accommodate new digital formats.

• Democracy. Some countries do not enjoy the freedom to share information with other countries. Privacy and security issues are becoming more complex and deserve resolution.

• Inoperability protocols. Currently some countries do not have the means for effec-tively interconnecting with other telecommunications systems.

• Information infrastructure. Basically, the information infrastructure contains four components: software, hardware, physical/human resources, and data/information/ knowledge. Unfortunately, some developing countries lack one or more of these components.

• Copyright. In the United States alone, copyright is a complex issue that has been compounded by online multimedia resources. The complexity intensifies when copyright laws from the different countries are considered in light of library cooperation.

• Vision. There remains a lack of understanding about the importance/value of information. Thus, there is some apprehension, is some parts of the world, about investing in the global information infrastructure.

• Planning skills. There is evidence that the Global Information Infrastructure is in dire need of a strategic plan. If the GII does not develop and follow strategic direction, it will obviously "back into the future."

• Information policy. A comprehensive global information policy is necessary for setting the direction for cooperation and collaboration in sharing library and other intellectual resources.

 5. OPPORTUNITIES

Based solely on the rapid change in technology and the volatile information environment, a global information policy is justifiable. And it becomes even more evident when one considers the dynamics of the different cultures, economic conditions, and political factors. Undoubtedly, there is much preparation that has to be done before a single global information policy can be established. An inventory of existing national information policies should be conducted. Creating a global information policy may initially appear to be a bit like "mission impossible." Who should be responsible for writing the global policy? Should the umbrella policy evolve from the national policies already in place? Would it be better to focus on writing information policies for the respective countries prior to engaging in the development of a global information policy or vice versa? All of these questions and many other relevant ones have to be answered.

Notwithstanding the plethora of issues, concerns, and problems associated with developing policies for the global information community, the "targets of opportunities" for improving the sharing and delivery of information throughout the world are becoming of greater importance. Advanced technology (e.g., wireless) is offering unprecedented opportunities to build interconnections with parts of the world that formerly did not (or could not) afford the necessary telecommunications. Digitized library materials are now being shared worldwide; formerly, these "treasures" could be accessed only by visiting the holding libraries. These are only a few of the many opportunities for improving access to vital information.

6. CONCLUSION

Is there a better time than now to begin laying the foundation for a global information policy? I think not. The recent evolving improvement in the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) illustrates the rate of speed we must work with today and be even a bit more "fleet of foot" tomorrow. Last year's WWW compared with this year's WWW is vastly different. The Information Superhighway, the National Information Infrastructure, and the Global Information Infrastructure are further examples of how the information construct is evolving. Much of this type of refinement and growth is occurring without any national and global guidelines.

The path for the world's information infrastructure must be carefully planned; policies have to be in place to give overall direction and accountability to the future information environment. Transformational leadership will be in high demand during information policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.

"There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success than to take the lead in introducing a new order of things."

Miccolo Machiavelli
 

REFERENCES

Chen, Ching-chih, ed. (1995). Planning Global Information Infrastructure. Norwood, NJ: Ablex Publishing Corporation.

Drake, William J., ed. (1995). The New Information Infrastructure: Strategies for U.S. Policy. New York: The Twentieth Century Fund Press.

Jussawalla, Meheroo, ed. (1993). Global Telecommunications Policies: A Challenge of Change. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Targowski, Andrew S. (1996). Global Information Infrastructure: The Birth, Vision, and Architecture. Harrisburg, PA: Idea Group Publishing.

Toffler, Alvin. (1980). The Third Wave. New York: William Morrow and Co.