ICT4D

ICT4D and iConnect

Although awareness of ICT4D has grown over the past two decades, the sector is just recently evolving from being a pioneering one, which naturally produced information on pilot projects, to a sector which has now matured past its startup phase. This evolvement is reflected in the new approach taken by iConnect, through providing information on the impact of ICT4D.

Local and Global

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are effective tools to help advance human development. They enable people to increase their livelihoods, live longer, be healthier, enjoy a better standard of living, and participate more in their communities.

Particularly in the past two decades, technological advancements in information and communication tools have had widespread effects. These effects can be felt on a global and local level. Mobile phones now outnumber fixed lines in Africa, at a higher ratio than on any other continent. The internet has made it possible for lobby groups to mobilize international support for their causes in very short time spans, as well as giving rise to powerful networks at all levels.

Specific Technological Advancements

The advancements with the largest effects have been those which increase interactivity, increase speed, lower costs and integrate different types of media. Radio, for example, has become much more of a two-way communication tool over the past decade, especially at the community level. Combined with the strengths of the internet, powerful tools are becoming accessible for an ever growing group of people. An example best illustrates this.

Picture a DJ at a local radio station in Africa. Members of the surrounding rural community can call in requests for specific information such as the weather forecast or market prices for certain crops. The radio station has been able to acquire a computer with limited funds, and with access to the internet, can easily and quickly access this information. This is subsequently broadcast. Where a radio is not common property, a community center can spread the message to villagers over a loudspeaker. A farmer can now discern whether the prices he is being offered are fair, or a fisherman knows if it is safe to sail out that day.

International Development Agenda

ICT4D has been a growing topic of importance on the development agenda, driven initially by the dot-com boom in the 1990's. As the effects of ICTs on economic, social and cultural issues increased in the industrialized countries, the awareness of a growing digital divide, and its effects on non-industrialized countries grew.

Some milestones events have been:

  • 1997 -- Global Knowledge Partnership Conference in Canada
  • 1998/9 -- World Bank Development Report on Knowledge for Development
  • 2000 -- Global Knowledge Partnership Conference II in Malaysia
  • 2000 -- Creation of the DOT-Force
  • 2001 -- UNDP Human Development Report on "Making Technologies Work for Human Development."
  • 2001 -- Creation of the UN ICT Task Force
  • 2002 -- Global Knowledge Partnership Conference III in Addis Ababa
  • 2003 -- WSIS preparatory phases and December Summit in Geneva
  • 2005 -- WSIS second phase summit in Tunis

Although far from being comprehensive, this in itself is an impressive list, indicating the widespread attention and investment of resources already made in the ICT4D sector.

iConnect aims to gain insight into the impact of these initiatives and projects, through the iConnect series.