19 May 2004	Wednesday	28 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

FAISALABAD, May 18: French Ambassador Mr Pierre Charasse has emphasized the impact of information technology (IT) on sustainable development and observed that the gap between the countries of the North and of the South is greater than ever in this field.

Speaking to the participants of an inaugural ceremony of a linguistic laboratory established by the University of Agriculture here on Tuesday, he said keeping in view the present era requirements it was necessary to build a 'digital solidarity' in order to overcome the digital divide between the North and the South.

He said the ICT could be a tool of development but it would be naive to think that the new technologies could eradicate poverty, exploitation of women and children. Indeed, basic needs have to be provided such as access to electricity, telephone, health, employment and literacy, he said.

Pierre Charasse said new technologies could be very helpful because of the opportunities they offer in all fields, but in any case, they could be a substitute to the lack of policies and resources to address the most fundamental needs of millions of men, women and children in the world.

He said since 90s, teaching of languages through internet had been developed in the entire world due to globalization and the era of communication in the modern world. It opened a window on new value system, leading to the inter-cultural comprehension and contributing to the reduction of racial prejudice and xenophobia.

He further said the French government's policy of dissemination of the French language rested on two basic principles - solidarity with the country partners and the promotion of dialogue between cultures with a view to strengthening cultural diversity.

Earlier, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr Bashir Ahmed, said language had been an effective tool of communication in the human civilization. He said the linguistic laboratory would provide an opportunity of learning of the major UN languages like English, French, German, Arabic and others to students and citizens of the country.