*{How Will National Cultures Survive Globalization and the Internet? [http://www.weforum.org/site/knowledgenavigator.nsf/Content/How+Will+National+Cultures+Survive+Globalization+and+the+Internet%3F?open&topic_id=300250000&theme_id=300]

            12.09.2000

            Asia Pacific Economic Summit 2000}

            Opening the session, Philip Bowring, Columnist with the International Herald Tribune in Hong Kong, said there is unease about the impact on international culture of the Internet and globalization. He posed three questions: What do we mean by national culture? Are national cultures affected by the Internet and globalization? What about the effect on minority cultures within nations?

            Nicholas Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Internet, Singapore, said US sites are by far the most popular in Asia Pacific nations, especially in those countries where English is spoken. Because most of the Internet surfing is to US sites, there is a danger that US culture will be seen to be the norm. Where there are language difficulties, local content sites spring up. However, if a population is fluent in English, no country can match the depth of the US content. More local content is required with each country needing to overcompensate to fill the local content vacuum.

            Lyric M. Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, China Online, USA, said the facts belie the assertion that the Internet represents the Americanization of the globe, while also leaving the poor behind in the technology race. "The Internet is a cultural agnostic that can take place across cultures. Cultural specificity is allowed by the Internet," she said. The spread and use of the Internet is not determined by the US and technology, it is really determined by public policy. "Ten years from now Asian cultures will flourish on the Internet, but the Net will become Asian- based, with the primary language in Asia on the Net being the Chinese language."

            Vivien Chou Chen, Adviser, Hong Kong Health Care Centre, Hong Kong SAR, said the Internet is helping spread the message of traditional Chinese medicine, and technology is assisting through computerized patient records and sophisticated diagnostic tools.

            Richard Alston, Minister of Communications and the Arts of Australia, described the Internet as a revolution we should all celebrate. It will remain part of our lives and become a cultural market place where people can promote their cultures. National cultures will survive the Internet and globalization. "History shows us that whenever [it is feared that] the world is about to be taken over by multinationals or telcos, it doesn't happen. They splinter, find their own niche, and we just keep evolving," he said.                

                  *{Contributors:       Alston Richard
                  Bowring Philip
                  Chou Chen Vivien
                  Hughes Lyric M.
                  Lee Nicholas}