The change brought about in the networked information environment is deep and structural, in a way that has the potential to empower cultures left out of the Industrial Revolution. Thus, the author stresses that it is fundamental for individuals to understand, from a developing nation's perspective, how the Internet changes the capacity of knowledge production, distribution, and access and how this affects access to knowledge, education, scientific innovation, and development, since "technological capacity, technological infrastructure, access to knowledge, and highly skilled human resources become critical sources of competitiveness in the new international division of labour." The open world gains a much broader and empowered meaning over its original political context when it is restated as part of an individual's right to participate within the knowledge society. The right to access to the Internet and the right to make and distribute content should not be held solely by business or by those in the wealthy societies of the moment. The author argues that the right to be a creator, the right to govern and develop one's own knowledge, and the right to share with others are fundamental freedoms for the Internet age. (Contains 8 notes.)