Global Outreach: Formal and Non-Formal Education

Abstract

"Global outreach" refers to the international delivery of education, health, public information, commercial, and other services using appropriate communications technology. International organizations are partnering in various ways with developing-country governments, private companies, local communities, and non-governmental organizations to seize the vast new possibilities made available by networks of global information infrastructure now being built. Six of these programs are described in this paper: the World Bank; the Leland Initiative; LearnLink; the United Nations Development Program; the Open Society Institute; and the National Geographic Kids Network. Also discussed are opportunities for accelerated growth and gains for developing countries related to information technology; the potential for distance learning, other telemediated services, workforce preparation, entertainment, and book publishing are highlighted. Learning environments in developing countries are then considered, including traditional practice, content courses, technology skills, and teleprojects. Fifteen web sites that offer additional details about programs cited are listed. (DLS)