This conference report presents the discussions and recommendations of the 290 participants representing 76 nations who met at the first SPIN conference to exchange experiences in strategies and policies for the dissemination of information via networks based on the linking of computers with telecommunications, and to identify ways and means of using this technology to facilitate social, economic and cultural improvement in developing countries. The general report, which includes statements made during debates, focuses on the present state and future prospects for the use of informatics, especially the elaboration of national strategies and policies, and regional and international cooperation and dissemination. Reports from two commissions are concerned with manpower development and the applications of informatics. Of the 44 recommendations adopted by the conference, 22 are devoted to prerequisites for the use of informatics and a final 12 are concerned with regional and international cooperation. Information on the organization, scope, and objectives of the conference, including the preparation and operational details, is provided in the introduction, and annexes contain the conference agenda, opening and closing addresses, a list of documents used by the conference, and a national listing of participants. (RAA)