Queen's University Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson has called on policy-makers worldwide to "claim a space for democracy" in the global telecommunications revolution.

Professor Gregson was addressing a gathering of leading thinkers from around the world at the 7th Olympiad of the Mind - the intellectual counterpart to the Olympic Games - in Paris at the weekend.

In the opening address, entitled "A Shrinking World - A Growing Challenge?", Professor Gregson urged the information communications industry internationally to tackle the economic and other challenges arising from spam and cybercrime.

The Vice-Chancellor's paper also reviewed some of the technological challenges and opportunities arising from the explosion in global communications, their sociological implications, and the role of communications in a modern democracy.

He said: "The full power of the communications explosion has still to be effectively harnessed as a global force for the greater good.

"In aiming to exploit positively the potential of our increasingly virtual world, we also need to claim a space for democracy.

"I would therefore recommend the setting-up of on-line civic debating spaces, to assist citizens to become truly involved in decision-making.”

The two-day meeting, on the theme of "Improving Global Welfare and Security via Communication", was organised by the International Science, Technology, Economics and Politics for Society (STEPS) Foundation.

(MB/SP)