It is obvious that we are, in one way or another, moving towards the establishment of the Information society in our Arab space, and at different levels between each Arab country due to population and demographic indicators related to science and knowledge, and also due to indicators related to resources, and main infrastructure. The main structure here refers to communication and Information technology. The term itself has emerged with the establishment of public services that aim at providing services, responding to needs, and help to develop their ways of living.
Thus, roads, ports, bridges airports and stores have become traditional examples of the infrastructure that form the main base for the establishment of any economical-based activity such as commerce, industry, tourism, etc. Other elements were also historically added to the main structure and helped it to develop in quantity to include electricity, water and telephone nets, in addition to storage methods. As for Information Technology and communication, the term "main structure" has also increased in quantity in equivalent to the enormous technical scientific development. Today, the basic needs for development imposes new forms of communication not only among individuals, but among individuals, programs, photos, films, information and communication. Here we are relating to process and investment in its most sophisticated ways.
Therefore, the main structure for information technology and communication, or what we call information technology, is not merely related to fixed telephone lines but to mobile telephones controlled by satellites. It is also to related to computers and complicated programs. Indicators of development in information technology and communication are measured by these elements in two ways; either access provided by this structure, or the use of indicators referring to the percentage of fixed lines, mobiles, computers and Internet users.
In this frame, we refer to the ambiguous of these indicators and lack of objectivity, noting that it is still in its first phases. If we take a look at the indicators of the UN Human Report 2002, information technology and communication related to the Arab region, we find that it is impossible to build an accurate scientific vision of the digital gap, or the actual direction of the information technology and communication sector. This is because these indicators are based on abstract numbers far from reality.
We therefore back the initiatives taken by several Arab states for the establishment of scientific Arab work groups and international experiences that will help to establish accurate statistical indicators really related with development issues of societies, and participates in clarifying the technological gap and its effects, and thus to overcome it. The issues of information society related to the main structure is one angle of a square. We believe that the most important issues as perceived all over the world is that related to what we refer to as "The Moral of the Information Society".
The common moral values among humanity, and the concepts it carries including just, equality and fruitful dialogue should form the bases of development towards the building of the information society. Without it, all steps taken will not be fulfilled.
Even more, without it, it may form a dangerous violation for the rights of people and cultures of the world.