This thesis examines the interaction in the network of international and regional organizations in setting the norms, rules and strategic directions for international development and governance of global information society. Situated within the theoretical framework of international regime theory and Gramsci’s concept of hegemony, it uses the “Africa Information Society Initiative (AISI): An action framework to build ICT infrastructure in Africa” as its case study. Based on the empirical evidences gathered from the historical policy document analysis and qualitative semi-structured interviews, it provides a critical analysis of how the diffusion of global neoliberal agenda through the international organizations shaped the AISI policy prescriptions. It analyzes the challenges confronting the AISI implementation and ICTs for development agenda in Africa. In view of the inherent contradictions between the transnational character of the AISI and the national characters of the region, it examines the implication of these problems and suggests potential ways of addressing them. It concludes by stressing the importance of contextual local institutional forces and cultural ethos in the ICT policies and development process in Africa.

„Informacinės visuomenės kūrimo kliūtys ir perspektyvos Afrikos šalyse“ Darbo objektas – Afrikos šalys lokalios, regioninės ir pasaulinės Informacinės visuomenės kontekste. Darbo tikslas – atskleisti Informacinės visuomenės kūrimo kliūtis bei perspektyvas Afrikos šalyse. Darbo uždaviniai: atskleisti Globalios Informacinės visuomenės apibrėžimą, vystymo kryptis ir kūrimo prioritetus; pateikti Afrikos šalių IV kūrimo ištakas ir iniciatyvas; įvertinti dabartinę Afrikos kontinento padėtį Informacinės visuomenės sudedamųjų dalių kontekste; atlikti Afrikos šalių IV lyginamąjį tyrimą. Naudojantis duomenų analizės ir lyginamuoju šalių sugretinimo metodais prieita prie išvados, kad Informacinės visuomenės kūrimas Afrikos šalyse taps evoliuciniu judėjimu pirmyn, jei šalys įveiks Tūkstantmečio plėtros tikslais konstatuotas vystimosi kliūtis ar bent jau pradės produktyviai dirbti jų įveikimo link. Informacinės visuomenės sąvoka yra kompleksiška, ji paima demokratinius principus, žmogiškuosius išteklius ir Informacijos Komunikacijos technologijų situaciją bei naudojimą šalyje. Jei vienos iš šių sudedamųjų dalių nėra, nepavyks sukurti pilnavertės Informacinės visuomenės. Tyrimo rezultatai rodo, kad Afrikai trūksta harmoningo vystimosi, nes daugelyje šalių stinga vieno, dviejų ar net visų Informacinės visuomenės sudedamųjų dalių. Viena pagrindinių kliūčių harmoningam vystimuisi – lokaliniai karai ir konfliktai. Šalys, kurios per paskutinius dešimtmečius patyrė lokalinius karus ar konfliktus... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Towards Information society in Africa: obstacles and prospects (summary) One of the main strategic goals for every country in Information age, or probably the main – is building Information society, as achievements in this area are the main, which separate one state from another. Depending on it, all states are divided as most developed, developing and least developed. Therefore underlying goal for every state is not only to catch developing speed, but more – to seek for its own contribution in the work of creating new value society. Recently, Global community initiated building “Information society for all”. It means, for all states, regions and individuals. These goals invite to eliminate Digital Divide, helping “information poor” to take advantages of “Digital opportunity”. Main purpose of this work is to look at the situation of “information poor” in Africa continent as building of Information society is seen as opportunity to foster their development. Work theme is “Towards Information society in Africa countries: obstacles and prospects”. Main goal is to highlight obstacles and prospects of building Information Society in Africa. Tasks: to highlight definition, development trends and priorities of Global Information society; to present Information society building origins and initiatives of Africa countries; to measure present status of Information society in Africa regarding complex Information society concept; to carry a comparative research of Africa Information... [to full text]

(in English) The thesis "Information Policy of European Union in Bangemann's activities period in comparison with USA" is devoted to the Information policy issue applied by the European Union and the United States of America. The thesis structure is defined at the earliest; afterwards the basic terms are followed. The thesis describes the European Union history, which provides context needed to be able to understand the European Union Information policy. The description and evaluation of the European Information policy in Bangemann's activities period in comparison with USA in the same time period and the possibility of mutual utilization of pros of the Information policy of both countries is the aim of this thesis. The following part is occupied with the comparison of EU and USA Information policy at the beginning of 21st century.