Access and content - key features of digital empowerment

The main issue of access and availability of locally relevant content was a ket feature that I observed during my initial intervention in an ICT4D project in Sri Lanka. www.v-village.lk

The project set up 2 telecentres and provided free access. Yet, it had a few users. The majority of users were youth who showed a keen interest to use technology. Besides learning email there were not many other activities the village youth could do as there was a language barrier. The non availability of local content was a major barrier, as I observed. As there were not many websites that could be used interactively by the non English speaking user.

The importance of locally relevant content is highlighted at many sessions that I participated in the IGF 2009.

How can the different stakholders of IG process set about in overcoming the issue - Will there be an improvement by next year, when the stakholders meet at IGF5 ? A thought that crossed my mind...