However, the downside is that this new technology also allows the government to monitor, control, and stifle initiatives, and it is being used to automate surveillance and intrude on people's private lives, so policy makers need to find ways to avoid these risks of intrusion and invasion of privacy while building a wired civil society which encourages debate (Chapter). The issues can affect the citizen's businesses, their prospects for education and health, and their opportunities for social and cultural activities. The systems must be carefully thought out before they are installed so that the benefits are maximized and the downside is kept to an absolute minimum, otherwise they will not be accepted, particularly in developing countries where the technology is new and people are already suspicious of it. The introduction and spread of ICTs in developing countries will bring about a change in employment patterns because of the different types of capabilities which will be needed to function in this new type of society (Chapter). There will need to be a cultural adjustment as more technological positions are created and the old skills will no longer be practical. The direct and indirect employment effects will be substantial as these countries move into the technological age and embrace ICT systems as the basis for their business protocols. There is a definite link between good governance and reduction of poverty, and in Lao PDR the poorest areas have generally had very little contact with the government and limited access to basic public services such as health care, education, transportation, power supply, and markets. Problems have occurred with insecure land tenure and lack of transparency in land titling which affect the poor. At the local level, full participation of village leaders and their constituents in decision making for development projects has proven key to reducing poverty. The poor need to have stronger ownership to improved their liv |
