The social and economic potential of a global Internet — one that bridges the world — is widely recognized. The potential for using the Internet to reconfigure access to information and knowledge, and also reshape freedom of expression, privacy, and ethical norms and behaviour, has been a theme in academic research, but also has been recognized by the Member States of UNESCO, who were broadly consulted in the development of a recent report, entitled ‘Keystones to Foster Inclusive Knowledge Societies’.* Professor Dutton, who helped UNESCO draft this report, will provide a brief overview of the major themes and challenges of this report as a means to open a discussion of how an open, global and secure Internet might bridge the four corners of the world in ways that enable access to information and knowledge, freedom of expression, privacy, and respect for the diversity of ethical concerns in local and global communities.
*The UNESCO report is available online at: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/internetstudy/
