The aim of this study has been the investigation of the effect of ICT on sustainable development in the geographic area of Iran using sustainability indices. After defining and providing a brief description of the areas of sustainable development and ICT, and identifying the indicators in order to measure them, the popular models in these two areas were introduced in this study. Reviewing the previous studies on this issue has been followed. The proposed conceptual model in order to investigate the interaction of these two areas were considered with regard to the sustainability indices which have been derived from valid international sources, theoretical studies, and expert advices in these two areas. Using quantitative methods and a refined structured questionnaire, this model calculated weight and the effect of each of the categories, and finally the analytical framework was presented. The heuristic and the librarian methods were employed to identify the problem, and to investigate the former information and records respectively in this study. Finally, the main factors to explain and design the basic model were identified through interviews with experts. The quantitative method was used for the verification and validation of the model. According to the presented model, the degree and the effect of ICT dimensions on sustainability indicators were identified. In general, it can be concluded that ICT development will promote most indicators of sustainability. For each indicator alone the degree of effect has been identified.

Two decades ago, in 1987, the concept of sustainable development was expressed in the Brundtland Commission Report. The follow-up global conferences in Rio (1992) and in Johannesburg (2002), highlighted the sustainability concept with the major characteristics of ecological sustainability and fair distribution over time and in space. Considering these important issues concerned with accomplishing sustainable development, the author views sustainability from a social perspective and believes that sustainable development is impossible unless gender mainstreaming is embodied in its vision, strategies, policies and programs.The Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, identified the major critical areas of concern requiring action by governments and the international community and stressed the need to promote women's status in those major areas. Twelve years after the Beijing Conference, there is still a large gap between what women actually obtained and what was written in the Beijing Platform for Action. There are still very important issues that have not been dealt with properly. It is widely recognized that in order for the world to be able to obtain sustainable development, it is fundamental for all citizens to participate in the development process and this is only possible with the full involvement of women. This means that women's issues must be given priority in national and international arenas. This article will discuss five important issues that deserve prior attention and adequate action for women's development: globalization and women, violence against women, trafficking of women, armed conflicts and the gender digital divide.The author believes that sustainable development is but a repeated slogan and a dream that will not come true unless it includes women's development in its agenda.

This paper first provides an introduction to sustainable development and indicators of sustainability. Then, the Local Search Engine (LSE), its achievements and projects will be discussed. The accomplishment of Local Search Engine Projects (LOSEPs) involves a set of micro-and macro-scale projects [Appendix 1].Sustainable development concentrates on inter-and intragenerational justice, and exploitation of resources in a way to preserve and improve the natural environment for present and future generations. Sustainable development primarily highlights the environment and subsequently the economy, community, politics and other areas.By developing a set of tools, LOSEPs intends to provide a variety of services, attract more users and influence their lives. Through interaction with users inside the cyberspace, LOSEPs serves to earn huge revenues while setting the ground for transforming lifestyles. The search engine services require several stages, including web crawling, data collection, classification and indexing, storage, retrieval, and so on. This paper investigated the effects of Local Search Engine Project (LOSEPs) implemented on various aspects of sustainable development. These effects were measured based on indicators of sustainability proposed at international institutions. The expert opinions in this field were obtained through interviews and a questionnaire to determine the efficacies. Finally, the conceptual model was proposed for the effects of LOSEPs on sustainable development and its dimensions.

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This article considers the definition of risk. Since the conceptual definition of risk varies with perspectives, some of the perspectives ranging from event-driven to financial and business risks are described. The classification of risk is explored and different types of risks are considered. In order to decrease the chance of loss, risk managers must weigh the relative costs and benefits associated with activities that give rise to risk and try to minimize the costs.