Arab Knowledge Report 2009: Towards Productive

preservation and the consolidation of its position on the map of human civilisation? Apositive answer is conditional upon the digital presence of the Arab countries and theircitizens on the current and future internet. When the Arab universities, for example, offertheir educational services in electronic form, when the communications infrastructureis designed to conform with multimedia applications, and when all sectors of societyare given access via all platforms, the Arab identity will in all probability preserve itsessence, or even make marked gains that will ensure it opportunities for communication,innovation, and progress over the long term. Applications of ICT are expected to bringabout profound and wide-ranging social and economic effects. However the nature andextent of these effects will be determined by the efforts made by the active parties tobuild and support the various kinds and models of Arabic content. If governments andother interested parties fail to generate and distribute knowledge content closely linked tosocial and economic conditions, cultural structures, and the expectations of citizens, thenit is likely that most of these effects will have negative ramifications. The opportunitiesoffered by new technologies are accompanied by risks that mandate enlightenedapproaches which keep pace with accelerated technological evolution and put it to usein the effort towards comprehensive, balanced, and sustainable social and economicdevelopment. Only when this is achieved will the Arab countries be able to look forwardto a glowing future in which new technology will play a supportive role in responding tothe region’s chronic crises with its twin swords of knowledge and development.If governments andother interestedparties fail togenerate anddistribute knowledgecontent closelylinked to social andeconomic conditions,cultural structures,and the expectationsof citizens, then it islikely that most ofthese effects will havenegative ramificationsINFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES IN THE ARAB COUNTRIES175