Ei-iE

The Fourth World Congress of Education International, meeting in Porto Alegre (Brazil) from 22 to 26 July 2004:

1. Recognises that the digital divide worsens the gap between developed and developing countries;

2. Recognises the importance of information and communication technologies (ICT) in development and promotion of human and trade union rights and achievement of democracy, freedom and quality education for all;

3. Accepts that people denied of a proper level of information, education and knowledge are denied from everything in life;

4. Recognises that computer use continues to expand, and ICT continue to evolve;

5. Agrees that ICT is catalytic in a. contributing to the improvement of the governmental and non-governmental services; b. bringing changes into the lives of people in developed and developing countries in accelerating economic growth, reducing poverty and attaining Millennium Development Goals (MDG); c. empowering people, as the real problem with human society lies not in creating money but in creating knowledge and information that help provide a life of quality and culture.

6. Calls on governments to prioritise provision of ICT in the efforts to achieve quality Education For All by providing: a. every education institution with at least one computer and ICT networking between them; b. teachers with computers on grants or loan and train them to use it as a teaching aid; and c. schools with technicians, support staff and funds for maintenance and Internet access.

7. Appeals to all associated with ICT development to increase efforts in promoting and securing the rights and freedom of all people;

Given the resolutions passed by EI Congresses related to the Information Revolution (1998) and New Technology (2001), it is recommended that:

8. EI assist all member organisations so that they have basic ICT facilities and provide technical support to member organisations to design web pages;

9. there be an update on work done by the EI Executive Board and Secretariat since 1998, with regard to studies on the pedagogical advantages and disadvantages of ICT and particularly Internet use in education;

10. there be a review of direct action taken by EI since 1998 with regard to the provision of modern computer services in schools.

11. there be an update on EI action since 2001 regarding the provision of teacher and education personnel training in the use of new information and communication technologies and the connection of schools to the Internet, including access restrictions and security protocols; and

12. there be a concerted effort to ensure that the voice of teachers is included in the development of ICT policies and implementation plans.