Focus AreasRecent publications have cited government repression and weak economies as among the reasons for inadequate knowledge production and dissemination in the MENA region, a condition which in turn has hampered economic and political development.
The development of information and communication technology is an essential tool for strengthening civil society’s role in the public sphere and in policymaking. OSI’s Information Program collaborates closely with MENA to promote the equitable deployment of knowledge and communication resources by providing access to content, tools, and networks for civic empowerment. The Information Program has helped bring Internet connectivity to more than 35 countries, funded independent policy and human rights voices online, assisted libraries in serving their communities, and supported the publication of thousands of books critical for education and public debate.
