UNESCO's New Information and Communication Technologies and Education Programme (UNITE)
As early as 1960, UNESCO's General Conference adopted a resolution noting the obvious impossibility of abolishing mass illiteracy through traditional means alone. For many years, the organisation has been concerned with exploiting the potential of technology and media for education.
UNESCO is committed to the use of ICTs for a more equitable and pluralistic development in education. In keeping with its ethical and intellectual mandate UNESCO aims at (i) expanding the knowledge base about the issues, both within the Organisation and in the world, (ii) working with partners and Member States to establish principles and guidance for good practice, (iii) giving policy advice, and where appropriate (iv) engaging in specific development cooperation.
UNESCO can provide a unique link between science, information and communication technologies, and education, because of its mission in all three areas.
It must be borne in mind that ICTs are only a part - albeit the most influential and visible part - of a continuum of technologies, all of which can support and enrich learning. Furthermore, ICTs, as any tools, must be considered as such and be used and adapted to serve educational goals. It is educational needs and goals, not materials or technology, that must drive educational change. Many ethical and legal issues concerning widespread use of ICTs in education are yet to be solved.