A global task force to help spread the benefits of the digital revolution and avoid a 'two-tiered world information society' was launched by the United Nations (UN) on 20 November.

The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force aims to "help build digital bridges to the billions of people who are now trapped in extreme poverty, untouched by the digital revolution and beyond the reach of the global economy," UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said at the launch.

Government officials, industry experts, scientists and leaders of non-governmental organisations make up the task force, which has a balanced representation of members from the North and the South.

The Task Force will not implement new initiatives, but will build on current and emerging projects by helping to scale up such efforts and fostering coordination and collaboration between groups.

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