3rd Annual Internet Political Economy Forum Conference Internet & Development in Asia Across Asia, governments, corporations, schools, and individuals are embracing information and communication technologies as a means of achieving economic growth, improving operating margins, and personal empowerment. In addition, the Asian economic crisis, accelerated political changes, and globalization of businesses have accompanied the emergence of information technologies. Asia now boasts some of the world's most wired-nations, including South Korea, Singapore, and Japan, but also some of the world's most poverty stricken, and information-poor, nations. This advent of the information society means that societies, economies, and communities across Asia will be profoundly altered. IPEF 2001 will explore the role of information technologies on economic and business development, political development, and community development in Asia. Experts who are focused on the Internet in Asia from around the world will examine in detail the ways in which ICT (Information Communications Technologies) are changing lifestyles, political structures, and economic relationships in Asia. Keynote speakers will highlight the critical issues associated with the growth of the Internet. Opening Address David Lim, Minister of State, Republic of Singapore (Defence, Information and the Arts) Keynote Speakers: David Lyon, Queens University, Canada, Surveillance and Privacy in the Asian Information Society Shigeru Nakayama, Kanagawa University, Japan's IT Policies: Development and Impacts Panels on Intellectual Property in Asia, IT in Japan, the digital divide in Asia, as well as the economic, political, commercial, and cultural issues associated with IT in Asia. Date: September 14 & 15, 2001 Venue: National University of Singapore, Singapore Registration fees: S$150 More details are available at www.prnewsasia.com/ipef2001, or by contacting Jane Ong at ipef2001@hotmail.com. The Internet Political Economy Forum is an international consortium of universities to coordinate a global study of the Internet paradigm through the leading universities/high tech hubs in the United States, Europe and Asia. The IPEF organizes conferences and research projects with plans underway for fellowship programs and curricular activities. The members are: University of Washington (secretariat), University of Cambridge, and National University of Singapore. Randy Kluver, Ph.D. Information and Communication Management Programme National University of Singapore AS 3, #04-16 Singapore 117570 (65) 559-3141 fax (65) 779-4911