Feminist Challenges in the Information Age

In summer 2000, about 160 women students, scientists and professionals from all over the world gathered at the University of Hamburg to join in the International Women´s University, Project Area Information. The articles in this book report on the ongoing work and the results obtained in this unique setting, which allowed for creativity and for a world-wide cooperation and exchange of views amongst women. The program was oriented mainly towards the idea of information as a social resource. It aimed to bring out women´s perspectives on understanding information and on exploring how to develop information for human needs. The focus was on how modern information and communication technologies interact with and radically change traditional ways of dealing with information, thus giving rise to information societies rooted in different cultures. Information societies come with new challenges and opportunities for women. Engaging actively and taking advantage of the technology, therefore, can be seen as a way of empowerment. The book brings out how building international learning communities opens the way to meet the challenges ahead: gendering information technology; enhancing communication; supporting cooperative, interactive learning; networking for community development; and fostering democracy.