Bill Clinton
President, USA
Congratulations to the Internet Multicasting Service on the
announcement of the Internet 1996 World Exposition—
the first global fair of its kind for the Information Age.
Information technology plays a pivotal role in our eco-
nomic, educational, and social progress. That is why the
Vice President and I have made the National Information
Infrastructure a key element of America’s strategy for
meeting the challenges of this new era.
Just as world’s fairs in earlier days popularized the electric
light, the telephone, and other technologies that dramati-
cally reshaped our lives, this Exposition will help people
everywhere to realize the promise of the future. Across
vast oceans in a matter of seconds, the Internet enables
individuals from all walks of life to transmit and receive
volumes of information. From business and international
relations, to medical care and academia, computer net-
working is bringing the nations of the world closer
together and strengthening all of our countries.
As one of millions who finds the Internet an invaluable
resource, I commend you and the many other dedicated
individuals who are making this exposition possible. Your
commitment is helping society to embrace the exciting
opportunities of the twenty-first century and beyond.
Vichit Suraphongchai
Minister of Transport and
Communications, Thailand
I am writing to congratulate you on your initiative to orga-
nize the Internet 1996 World Exposition. I am also pleased
to learn that Thailand has already been involved in the form
of a pavilion on Thai food courtesy of Ung-Aang Talay,
restaurant critic of The Bangkok Post.
Of special importance to all of us who are concerned with
information access and communications throughout the
world is the vision that should occur through the Internet
1996 World Exposition for global communications net-
working. I certainly support your efforts to raise public
awareness as to the potential of these technologies and to
enlist the involvement of engineers to focus their skills on
technical issues to advance the technological possibilities.
As a member of the world community interested to share
information about our culture, economic, educational, his-
torical, and other national resources, Thailand will, I am sure,
participate in the electronical global village conference in
1996. We will look forward to the interaction with other
Internet community members, and I will take appropriate
steps to encourage participation from our numerous Thai
Internet subscribers.
You have my best wishes and encouragement with your
planning efforts, and I look forward to the Internet 1996
World Exposition as a major telecommunications event in
this decade.
22
Al Gore
Vice President, USA
It is my understanding that you will be working with
engineers, community leaders, companies, universities,
and non-profit organizations from around the world to
organize the Internet 1996 World Exposition. This is an
exciting and innovative idea, and I would like to pledge
the Administration’s support to help make this first
“World’s Fair for the Information Age” a success.
As with previous world’s fairs, we have an opportunity to:
1) Expose millions of people to the potential of these new
technologies; 2) Challenge engineers to advance the state-
of-the-art in information and communications technolo-
gies; and 3) Leave an enduring legacy, an “Eiffel Tower for
the 21st Century.”
Specifically, the 1996 Internet World Exposition will
allow communities to share their experiences in tackling
environmental problems, expand the educational and
cultural resources available to our children, and increase
access to government databases. All communities need
public spaces, and the global village we are creating is
no exception.
Recently, the G-7 nations agreed to cooperate on a num-
ber of applications pilot projects in areas such as education
and training, digital libraries, electronic museums, and on-
line government. It is clear that your initiative will promote
many of these applications, and we will certainly encour-
age our G-7 partners to participate in the World’s Fair.
Ian Taylor
Minister for Science
and Technology, UK
The UK Government is actively promoting the development
and use of new information and communication technolo-
gies and the Internet, of course, has a major role to play
here. Use of the network is growing rapidly and it is estimat-
ed that, in the UK alone, over 2 million people accessed the
Internet last year. This appears an impressive statistic until
it is appreciated that it represents only about 4 percent of
the UK population. So there remains large sections of the
population who are still unaware of the opportunities and
benefits which the Internet offers. Therefore, your plans for
a World Exposition are very timely.
The UK Government seeks to provide leadership in Internet
use by being an intelligent user itself. My Department estab-
lished a server on the World-Wide Web earlier this year and
a wide variety of information. Via the Government Information
Service, over 100 other UK Government Departments and
public sector organisations make information about their
activities available on the Internet.
One of the Internet’s strengths is its wide base of users—both
those that access information and those that make information
available to others via the network. Your Exposition will help
further broaden the base of users hence enhancing the Internet’s
usefulness to all. I wholeheartedly welcome your initiative and
look forward to UK organisations and individuals playing a
full and active part in ensuring its success. We are happy to
act as a focal point within the UK to stimulate and coordinate
the effort of industry in participating in your exhibition.