The revolution of technology and its implications throughout the global community have changed the once old-fashioned face of the world into a multimedia way of life, which has been incorporated into every aspect of our lifestyles and cultures.

With a tool such as technology, the human race only now realizes what it can do for our world. The progression of technology only positively affects those who have it, while it impedes those who don't. Apart from the entertainment aspect, it also has the ability to lend a hand and transform an ever-lasting epidemic of poverty, particularity in Africa. Paul Keery, a teacher and futurist at MacLachlan College in Oakville believes "these are only tools." This is true. It is not an automatic cure for all things. In order for technology to make a permanent and positive difference in the world, one must have access, and more importantly understand what it can do for oneself, their families and communities.

Keery discussed the vital vision and attitude of putting our tools to work. "We seem to have no positive vision of tomorrow as a society; we seem only to see the pessimistic side of issues such as global warming and growing resource shortages." There is no justifiable reason to allow poverty of such magnitude to carry on in Africa. What is promising is that Africa has now been able to slowly contribute to the global economy via resources such as the internet and cell phones. The $100 computer unveiled by the UN is promoting the community use of technology to educate Africans in a modern world, and it has had success.

It seems that the evolution of technology is continuing all around the world. The evolution of Africa will continue to see a changing face. It is important, however, to remember that with all of technology's potential, and the consequences of such actions, "Technology is like knowledge—one has to possess it to do good or ill."

Caroline Davies is a grade 12 student in Oakville, Ontario. Through her work with her non-for-profit organization, Oakville Teenagers in Action, in conjunction with Free The Children, she hopes to make a sincere difference for her fellow youth, half-way across the world. This article is re-printed from the original, which appeared on thestar.com on March 22, 2007.

Read the article, “Is technology the magic answer?” by Anita Li
Read the article, “Web stretching to reach Africa’s poor” by Embry Owen
Learn about Caroline Davie’s Oakville Teenagers in Action