18 September 2006

The Internet has been praised for playing an important part in building bridges between communities and fostering inclusion.

At an international conference on the role of technology on social inclusion, held in Northern Ireland, speakers from Israel and Lebanon described how technology and the Internet has helped their communities rebuild relationships after the recent conflict.

Maria Eagles, education minister, stated that the technology is vital in building links between schools in the country and can help to "break down barriers".

"This technology is vitally important in preparing our young people for life and work in the 21st century."

"But, as this conference has heard, technology can also help bring communities together, which is why it is so important for Northern Ireland's schools."

Northern Ireland has seen progress in the uptake of technology in recent years, with all primary schools now having Internet access, while all post-primary education has at least 4Mb broadband.

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