The paradigm of 'knowledge societies' directs our attention to the complex transformations occurring within information and communication technologies and the broader social, cultural, economic, political and institutional environments that accommodate these technologies. To successfully negotiate ICT integration and transformations, careful and innovative policies and planning are essential. UNESCO has identified four vital principles for the successful construction of knowledge societies as: freedom of expression, universal access to information, equal access to education and cultural diversity.
Levels of diversity and disparity in geography, demography, cultures, languages and economies are reportedly greater in the Asia Pacific region than in any other. Extreme disparities also exist in levels of ICT infrastructure, access, usage and development along side significant differences in access and approaches to higher education. These specificities of complexity and diversity in the Asia Pacific region provide a focal point for addressing processes involved in constructing knowledge societies and the roles of stakeholders – governments, the private sector, civil society and regional and international organisations – in managing these revolutionary changes.
Universities can be significant players in sustaining cultural diversity in processes and outcomes. This requires new levels of innovation, flexibility, collaboration and risk taking in university practice. In particular, this presentation addresses the role of universities in sustaining cultural diversity through strategic partnerships with stakeholders, innovative projects promoting open access information, multiple information literacies, community inputs and preservation of the region’s diverse community knowledges (including traditional environmental knowledges), languages and cultural heritages. |
