Of course, technology is integral to the delivery of services for all three of these institutions. The Indira Gandhi school appears to be the least equipped with next-generation services and applications. However, the Indira Gandhi National Open University uses technology tools like video and audio materials to reach students without access to cutting edge technology. The African Virtual University relies on help from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for providing information technology architecture and other essential planning services. Likewise, CREAD capitalizes on its relationship with Nova Southeastern University for the delivery of top quality digital materials.

2. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) prioritizes distance learning as an essential component of its mission. The UNESCO policy toward distance education delivery is presented clearly on their Web site. A stated goal of UNESCO-sponsored education initiatives is to build "Knowledge Societies." Increasing access to information increases political and economic empowerment. Access to information, capacity building, cultural diversity, multilingualism, and information infrastructures are just a few of the foci for the UNESCO learning programs. UNESCO also provides special services for children, women,...

All the populated continents are served and represented by the UNESCO education initiative.
One of the ways UNESCO puts its policies into practice is by creating what the organization calls an enabling environment. The enabling environment is one that is secure and protects information using the latest technological tools. UNESCO presents the main mission of the enabling environment: to "maximize the social, economic and environmental benefits of the Information Society, governments need to create a trustworthy, transparent and non-discriminatory legal, regulatory and policy environment." What makes the UNESCO policies and methods unique is that they are truly global. The education initiatives spark service in multiple continents and regions, some of which require deep structural changes to foster growth and social justice. Yet UNESCO capitalizes also on the strength of leading nations in Western Europe and North America to help stimulate global educational growth and promote welfare, economic justice, and information enhancement. The UNESCO approach acknowledges the role in information delivery and information technology in promoting social and economic welfare worldwide.

References

African Virtual University (AVU). Web site retrieved Nov 18, 2008 at http://www.unesco-ci.org/cgi-bin/portals/information-society/page.cgi?d=1&g=2631

Indira Gandhi National Open University. Web site retrieved Nov 18, 2008 at http://www.ignou.ac.in/

The Inter-American Distance Education Consortium (CREAD). Web site retrieved Nov 18, 2008 at http://www.schoolofed.nova.edu/cread/index.htm

United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). "Observatory Portal." Retrieved Nov 18, 2008 at http://www.unesco-ci.org/cgi-bin/portals/information-society/page.cgi?d=1&g=2631