"We … recognize that a technological revolution is unfolding and that our region is entering a new economy, one defined by a vastly enhanced capacity to access knowledge and to improve flows of information. We are convinced that the promotion of a Connectivity Agenda for the Americas will facilitate the beneficial integration of the hemisphere into an increasingly knowledge-based society. We share the goal of providing all citizens of the Americas with the opportunity to develop the tools to access and share knowledge that will allow them to fully seize opportunities to strengthen democracy, create prosperity and realize their human potential. Connectivity will open new opportunities to our society in all areas, for which equal access and appropriate training are necessary."
The declaration asks IT to help solve many of the social and economic problems affecting the hemisphere. The document calls for connectivity to help achieve sustainable economic growth and social development, particularly in reducing poverty. Yet the effort still needs to respect the cultural and linguistic diversity in the Western hemisphere.
The document calls for modernizing the telecommunications infrastructure, calling on the private sector to carry most of the load, but still recognizing the need to increase bandwidth for health, education, social development, the environment, and building democratic institutions. To make telecommunications investments friendlier to the private sector, the declaration recommends establishing conditions "that promote free and fair competition in all telecommunications services," while accounting for national legal frameworks. Some countries with a long tradition of government monopolies in telecommunications will find this part of the declaration a challenge.
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