The Future of the Internet - OECD Conference

On the 17 - 18 July 2008, the OECD organised an important conference entitled: The Future of the Internet Economy. This had in mind to shape policies for creativity, confidence and convergence in the digital world. Various documents have been published and are accessible online including video clips on youtube. Link to youtube.

Without doubt, the Internet is 'platform' which is establishing itself and is exponentially growing. Information professionals (librarians) and other professionals have to ride this wave and maximize its benefits. Every profession or any other profession yet to be born will surely have to make use of Web2.0 in order to communicate with the rest of the world.

Creativity
The concept of creativity fits well with Internet. Creativity is one of the structures holding the beauty of the Net together. However, librarians (including teacher librarians or those people who work in a school library or otherwise) need to exploit this concept further. We need to find news ways to communicate with our users - whoever they may be - using different methods and gadgets to reach them. If my school or organisation does not have the correct structure to aid web2.0 capabilities, then, most probably your school/organisation are lagging behind.

Confidence
We all know that at times IT fails us at crucial moments: when lecturing, or giving a powerpoint presentation, or explaining how to evaluate sites using a smartboard. It is true that this is annoying but it is not sufficient reason why one should not use IT.
Confidence has to do more with and within the person using IT. Confidence in knowing how to solve unpredicted mishaps; confidence in using IT gadgets; confidence in using the computer in general. IT will only improve and get better though the security aspect can never be undermined at any stage. However, under the proper and normal circumstances, when one uses Internet as it should be used - without unnecessary surfing from site to site but, using known sites, professional sites, public library sites, etc., there is no fear of breaching any security rules or codes.

Convergence
Man and machine (IT) have always battled it out. Who can do without who! To the contrary, both need each other for the advancement of society at all levels. Let us make good computers and use them properly so that humanity may prosper and the knowledge economy really takes place with benefits for all.