“ICT Helps Create a Different System of Political Decision Making”

Pronk says that new communication technologies can be used to create social change. “To make people that are excluded become part of society as a whole, you need economic, social and political instruments. I hope it will be possible to use all forms of new communication techniques to reach that target.

As a minister Pronk co-founded IICD. He later used his experience in development as a Special Representative Secretary General of the UN in Sudan. Pronk is currently President of the Society for International Development and is also a member of IICD’s International Board of Trustees.

Although he does not claim to be an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert, Pronk sees what groups are already benefiting from the use of ICT. “ I see it [using ICT to create social change] happening in rural development and among women who are oppressed.” He also sees young people throughout the world giving a good example of how ICT can change lives. “Even if young people are being excluded or oppressed in their own country or neighbourhoods, they are communicating with other young people around the world through ICT,” says Pronk. “It helps create understanding. They get a perspective and it helps others to get a perspective on their own situation. It may even help to create a different system of political decision making.”