No new divides

I was delighted when Microsoft accepted my request to donate 1,001 Encarta Encyclopaedia packages as giveaway prizes to help raise money for l-Istrina. Worth more than Lm30,000, I am told that this is the largest donation anyone has ever made to l-Istrina.

It is my sincere hope that along with all the other donated prizes, Microsoft's will help to make this year's l-Istrina the most successful yet. At stake are the needs and interests of men, women and children who should be able to count on our collective solidarity, whoever and wherever we are.

The donation of 1,001 Encarta packages has a symbolic meaning which goes beyond this worthy cause. Until even just a decade ago, when we politicians spoke of policies to address social inequality, what we had in mind was money, social class, lack of access to jobs and educational opportunities. While it is obvious that these challenges are still with us, there is another emerging source of inequality which is as insidious as its predecessors, if not more - the digital divide.

Today, education, work and play are so closely intertwined with information and communications technology, that it is no longer possible to separate the two sides. Education, work and play are information and communications technology. In this evolving world, anyone 'left behind' in the latter stakes will inevitably be left behind in the former. Unless government policies are attuned to this state of affairs, the digital divide will constitute today's form of social inequality.

In the '90s, we did everything in our power to begin to entrench computerisation at all social levels. Now we are taking the next step. As a forward looking ministry we are acting and acting fast to bring information and communications technology to the people to whom it should and will belong.

For starters, through various strategic initiatives, the spread of computer and internet literacy is taking root in the most fertile soil - in the minds and lives of our students. After placing computers in Malta's classrooms and widening internet access, we are now in the process of installing Encartas in schools and libraries.

Through an agreement with Microsoft, the Microsoft Academy will be opening its doors to its first students in February. The academy will open more than its doors to these students; it will open up a new future for them. My-web courses, webphones and internet access through local councils will continue to democratise information and communications even further. In a few days time we will launch the ultimate initiative to ensure that this technology increases life opportunities for everyone, whatever their social background might be - a free email address for everyone.

For us Europe is already here. Because solidarity is not just a word. It is a policy which delivers.