The current thinking about the development of global economies and societies focuses on two issues: the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) and the challenge of environmental sustainability.

The importance of sustainability has been recognized in development policy – making since the Earth Summit took place in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro. The sustainable development was defined by World Commission on Environment and Development as ,,development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WCED, 1987, part 1, sec. 2, para.1).

It contains within it two key concepts: the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs.