In a metaphor of a journey, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policies and e-strategies represent a road map guiding countries to becoming information societies and knowledge economies. The worldwide technology revolution makes such strategies imperative. Unlike the previous industrial revolution, the knowledge revolution encompasses all aspects of society, so e-strategies must go beyond technical goals in addressing the challenge of universal access to, and use of, ICTs. Policies and e-strategies alone cannot guarantee the desired outcome: development implies action, not just policy or strategy documents written but never implemented-a failing that frequently occurs when those who commission studies neglect to act upon their recommendations.
In determining what strategy to pursue, countries need to assess their degree of ereadiness-to see where they stand along the route to develop a networked society. By understanding their national strengths and weaknesses with respect to the use and development of ICTs, leaders can position their countries to take advantage of emerging opportunities and stave off competitive threats. Many governments have already done such assessments of their countries' e-readiness; others have had them done by external bodies that compile comparative e-readiness rankings and indices. Once completed, these analyses should make ICT policy makers better able to go after the "low-hanging fruit"-the easierto-implement approaches that will yield the most benefit at the least cost, and ideally with a relatively quick return on investment.
In crafting ICT policies, policy makers face nine major challenges: 1 1. A need for vision and leadership; Paul Ulrich, over the past 18 years, has worked for the private sector, NGOs, and donor agencies in economic, business, and strategy consulting in 56 countries. With proficiency in multiple foreign languages, expertise in strategic applications of information and communication technologies (ICT), and skills in macroeconomics, finance, and econometrics, he most enjoys using cross-disciplinary approaches to applying ICT for developmental objectives. Dr. Ulrich has an undergraduate degree from Yale and graduate degrees in public administration and development economics from Harvard and Stanford.