"This paper isn’t a “traditional” policypaper, but a policy and action programme. It describes both the context and the general policy outline for Hivos (chapter 1-4) and concrete targets and strategies (chapter 5-7). These targets are formulated for four years; the year 2000 is a starting year. Hivos.com is the responsible desk for the execution of the programme. Hivos.com is for the time being the structural continuation of the “Hivos into Cyberspace 2000” project. During the period 2000-2004 ICT will be considered a policy priority, because of its relevance for Hivos. Besides, ICT is of crosscutting importance for all sectors and regions Hivos works in. For that reason ICT will be “mainstreamed” – integrated - as much as possible within the regular programme." (Preface)

"In 1995 Hivos was the first Dutch organisation for development cooperation to have a website. Since then the internet-technology has become more and more important both within the Hivos organisation and in the communication with counterparts in the South. At the end of 1998 the project “Hivos into Cyberspace 2000” was launched with the aim of reaching optimal accesibility to information and a better communication within Hivos as a whole. But also: to support the realization of the general objectives of Hivos, especially to the extent that the internet-technology can increase the success of the activities of the counterparts directly and sometimes revolutionary. As an elaboration of the above mentioned objective the writing of a policy and action programme Hivos & ICT (Information and Communication Technology) was started in the summer of 1999. A first version was presented during the annual Planning Week in the autumn of 1999. A second version was commented by a variety of actors, among which the Advisory Board of Hivos, East-African counterparts, the internal “webforce” and external experts in the field of ICT and development cooperation. On the third of February 2000 “Access for all: equal opportunities in cyberspace” was offically approved of by the Board of Hivos." (Preface)