Many developing country leaders have embraced information and communications technology (ICT) as an engine for growth and development. However, translating a grand vision into practical steps that fit the local context, and then executing it effectively, is easier said than done. Decision-makers need to know where the country stands in terms of ICT availability and use, so they can plan toward their goals. Governments and development professionals often frame this discussion in terms of “e-readiness", or how ready a country is to gain the benefits offered by ICT in terms of policy, infrastructure and ground-level initiatives.

Why International Policy is Important

The ability to make an international telephone call or send a letter across the world is the direct result of long-established international agreements that set out rules for telephone traffic and postal systems. Since the end of World War II, international cooperation has played an increasingly important role in setting global rules for trade, dispute resolution, and technical compatibility. Globalisation is viewed by many as a threat to national identity, culture, and indigenous business. Yet more effective international cooperation may be the only hope for addressing the most critical problems the world faces today, including massive poverty, environmental degradation, and health crises. And these issues are inextricably tied up with socio-economic development on one level, and national security on another. The result is interdependence of national economies, and interconnectedness of national and international policy-making processes. All of this makes international policy more important than ever before.