Using communications technology for cross cultural training and development: the participatory developmental education model

The increasing accessibility of basic video production and modem-linked computers creates new possibilities for exchanging information and ideas, yet it is still rare for communications technology to be used for a genuine dialogue in problem solving. The problems of the world seem to be compounding as increasing pressures of population growth, resource depletion and tension between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' become more apparent through the spread of information by the very media which is under-utilized to address these problems. This paper proposes that communications technology can be used to develop the capacity of the people in the world seeking empowerment and quality-of-life improvements. One means by which this can be approached is through participatory developmental education, a model designed for using communications technology to establish a dialogue for learning and development between people separated by geography or culture.