The project investigates the varieties of information tecnhology available in developing areas and governmental and non-governmental policy planning for information technology. The focus is on information technology and its lack especially as it relates to women's roles and gender roles in local and global economies. The project divides current information technology into 3 types:

1) one relatively accessible type including fax and electronic mail;

2) a second type requiring more technology, more infrastructure, and more specialisation, including the World Wide Web and the Internet;

3) the third type, involving less recent technology but more infrastructure and more political and social control of the production process, including satellite and cable broadcasting.

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The project has four initial concerns, listed below. The first stage in addressing them has been implemented through 3 sessions of interviews and survey research in Thailand. The abbreviations of those organisations which offer the greatest amount of information for each particular concern are listed in parentheses after each item.

1) First, what are the traditional methods of information gathering, sharing, and practical application in local areas? What traditional networks are in place that result in useful community knowledge and practices? (AIT - GENDEV; DPF)

2) Second, how can the current level of information technology used by governmental, non-governmental, and international organisations be applied directly to local, non-technologised environments and issues? (NCWA; SPF; UN-AIDS; WHAN)

3) Third, how can those most experienced with a locality and its development, the local community leaders, gain access to the receiving side of information technology to relate incoming information to their own and other areas?(CMU WC; FFW)

4) Fourth, how can those most experienced with a locality and its development, the local community leaders, gain access to the production side of information technology, in order to disseminate and share information collected by themselves? (CMU DoE Advancement of Lanna Women; NWDF)

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