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The systemic philosophy of Prof. Mario Bunge of McGill University (Montreal), as described in his books, 'World of Systems' (Boston, Reidel, 1979) and 'Ciencia y desarrollo' (Ediciones Siglo Veinte, Buenos Aires, 1982) emphasizes the fact that any kind of exercise in development, either institutional or grass-roots, should take the following concepts into account:

• The world is not a mere aggregate of things but a system composed of subsystems. The social world is one of these. It may be as the system embedded in the natural environment and composed of four subsystems: biological, economic, political, and cultural. These systems are strongly coupled to one another as well as to nature. They can be distinguished but not detached.

• Because of the strong coupling among the various systems composing society, every major social change involves biological, economic, political and cultural aspects, and it has an impact on the environment. Society is thus like a four-wheel drive vehicle.

• There is no such thing as sustained development without environmental protection and unless the biological, economic, political and cultural subsystems advance at the same time, even though necessarily in a gradual fashion. In short, authentic development is not sectoral but integral. Thus the ticket is not "One thing at a time" but "all things at the same time, though step by step". (Mario Bunge, Feb 4, 1996).

Key concepts about technology and development:

• Development is based mainly on 'knowledge'. Science and technology are the main pillars upon which any form of development is based

• To increase the world availability of scientific knowledge through all possible means is a challenge as well as a new frontier for progress.

• The world's population needs education for a systemic world development to prepare for the new millennium which has practically begun. We need this education now and on a world wide scale
• The Internet, and WWW could be accessed very easily from developing countries, if the technology is developed to meet this end.

All this could be a unique occasion to reach real progress and advances in many of our communities within the advanced industrial societies (AIS) and the less developed countries (LDC). In the very near future, the world of electronic communication could become the centre of a social revolution for world development if open and equal access continues to be a priority in the formation of the information highway. It would signal an unprecedented communication revolution not seen since the invention of the printing press in 1457 and the first printed book 'Johannem Fust, civem maguntium, et Peter Schoffer' anno Domini MCCCCLVII

There is great potential for a digital electronic network to facilitate a coordinated action in all spheres of a systemic world development (biological, political, economic, and cultural). To implement these actions and foster future participation by all members of society it is essential for individuals, institutions and governments to understand the role of these new communication technologies in our "global village".

These ideas about development are the founding principles of "Sí,Spain". This case study is one example of putting theory into practice, demonstrating how the Internet can facilitate development and open new doors for traditional diplomacy.

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