A fundamental advance in human resource development-a new era for development in Africa

The present context does not hold within it the solutions needed for poverty alleviation, sustainability or the inevitable limits of pubic expenditure. A new context, a new vision for development is needed globally-and in Africa in particular. The combination of new technology new funding mechanisms to make that technology accessible to everyone, and new concepts and approaches which these permit, create that context and new vision for a fundamental advance. The political need to find new solutions for sustainable development and poverty alleviation is more urgent in poorer countries than in more developed ones. Those countries are correspondingly less committed to imported western traditions and have greater hope that information technologies can provide new ways to overcome their disadvantages. Neither need nor lack of demand will be obstacles to realizing the potential of the technology for socio-economic goals in African countries