Literacy is central to education and in gaining access to the new communications technology. Without this, developing countries will be unable to benefit from the new sources of wealth creation.

The ability to read, write and communicate is the foundation of all education, training and learning, and is essential for sustainable human economic and social development in today’s complex and fast-changing societies.

Each country should consider what's best for its own situation in alleviating rural poverty. But Thailand's experience suggests that both the urban and rural areas should be developed jointly in a twin-track policy approach.

One of the most worrying aspects of the current economic crisis is that it is likely to hurt the world’s poorest people which in Asia predominantly live in the rural areas.