ICTs for Development (ICT4D) Multimedia Training Kit

ICTs for Development (ICT4D)ICTs for Development (ICT4D)

Multimedia Training Kit <www.itrainonline.org>

ICT Policy for Civil Society

Aims for this session

Participants will be able to: Explain the general issues and engage

in debate about the role of ICTs in development

Describe challenges of implementing ICTs in developing countries

Be able to access, assess and use basic ICT indicators


Defining the digital divide

The term digital divide refers to the increasing access gap between those who have and those who do not have:

access to information and communication technologies;

access to content that benefits them socially and economically;

skills to take advantage of ICT services; the ability to afford to pay for digital

services.


What is ICT4D?

ICT4D is concerned with using new and existing technologies to extend the reach of communication and information resources.

Facilitating access to ICT resources, and promoting their effective use makes these information and communication initiatives much more complex and dynamic.


Drivers of ICT4D

The Missing Link (extending basic telecom infrastructure to all)

Rise of Civil Society Communication Rights Globalization and Information Networks


APC internet rights charter

The Right to Communicate Freedom of expression and information

exchange Diversity, ownership and control of content Free/open source software, technology

development and intellectual property rights Privacy Global, regional and national governance of

the Internet Awareness, protection and realisation of rights


Four pillars of the CRIS campaign

Communication Rights in the Information Society:

Creating spaces for democratic environments; Reclaiming the use of knowledge and the public

domain; Reclaiming civil and political rights in the

information society; and Securing equitable and affordable access.

<www.crisinfo.org>


Different ICT4D components

access to ICTs

ability to use ICTs

actual use of ICTs

impact of using ICTs.


Bridges.org – Real Access

Affordability Capacity Relevant content Integration Socio-cultural factors Trust Political will Legal and regulatory framework Local economic environment Macro economic environment


Real Access Criteria (1)

AffordabilityIs technology access affordable for people to use?

CapacityDo people understand how to use technology and its potential uses?



Relevant content Is there locally relevant content, especially in terms of language?

IntegrationDoes the technology further burden people's lives or does it integrate into daily routines?



Socio-cultural factorsAre people limited in their use of technology based on gender, race, or other socio-cultural factors?

TrustDo people have confidence in and understand the implications of the technology they use, for instance in terms of privacy, security, or cybercrime?



Political willIs there political will in government to do what is needed to enable the integration of technology throughout society?

Legal and regulatory frameworkHow do laws and regulations affect technology use and what changes are needed to create an environment that fosters its use?



Local economic environmentIs there a local economy that can and will sustain technology use?

Macro economic environmentIs national economic policy conducive to widespread technology use, for example, in terms of transparency, deregulation, investment, and labour issues?


Debate on the priority of ICTs for development – against

Critics argue: ICTs are a waste of money Funding should be directed to more

important areas of impact and real need There is the risk of disillusionment ICTs will not necessarily provide benefits

and may infact open people up to new forms of harm


Debate on the priority of ICTs for development – pro

Supporters argue: The digital divide will become perilously

wider if ICTs are not promoted ICTs can support other social and

economic goals to improve peoples lives Access to ICTs and participation in the

Information Society will have far reaching benefits


United Nations Millennium Development Goals

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

2. Achieve universal primary education

3. Promote gender equality and empower women

4. Reduce child mortality

5. Improve maternal health

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

7. Ensure environmental sustainability

8. Develop a global partnership for development


United Nations Millennium Development Goals

Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development.

Target 18: In cooperation with the private sector make available the benefits of new technologies, specifically information and communications.

Indicator 47: Telephone lines and cellular subscribers per 100 population.

Indicator 48: Personal computers in use per 100 population and Internet users per 100 population.


ICTs and development goals (education)

ICTs as a subject: information literacy, programming and other related skills.

Computer-based training and distance education

Access to learning communities Access to increased and up-to-date

information


ICTs and development goals (health)

Telemedicine: broadband applications – from health clinic to hospital

Telehealth: phone and computer support for clinic management and information flows

Information sharing: information and exchange on health priorities, e.g. HIV / AIDS, TB, cholera

Epidemiology: statistics and information to support knowledge and disease management


ICTs and development goals (SMMEs)

ICTs can support routine business operations: accounts, letters, plans

ICTs can be an opportunity themselves: training, support, sale, program, web

Linking suppliers directly to markets: reducing role of intermediaries

Info for tenders, linking SMMEs, support & funding, supply and sales chain

E-Commerce opportunities


ICTs and development goals (governance)

Access to government information, services and processes

Transparency of governance Mitigation of corruption Access to representatives: constituents

direct link to members of Parliament


Review of the debate on ICT for development (1)

Although the costs of new information infrastructure are high, the future costs of not doing so are much higher

ICT is a priority for development but requires national level strategies and support

ICTs should be development focused A best practice formula is not possible

because of developing countries diversity


Review of the debate on ICT for development (2)

There is general agreement that ICTs are a powerful tool for development and there is commitment from international institutions.

What are some best practices for ICT implementation with a development focus?


Models for ICT4D implementation

Community driven initiatives Private Public Partnerships Pro poor, pro market strategies Public service models


Regulatory issues

Universal service Consumer advocacy Pricing policies Interconnection agreements Efficient use of resources Licencing for internet service providers Spectrum licencing


Indicators

What are indicators?

What kind of information do indicators provide?

Where can indicators be obtained?


What do indicators measure?

Infrastructure roll-out teledensity, computers per household,

waiting lists, etc. ICT use

number of internet hosts, international telephone traffic, etc.

Other factors literacy, school completion rates,

demographics, etc.


What kind of information do indicators provide?

Quantitative indicators Qualitative information

Relative terms Absolute terms


Where can indicators be obtained?

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/

Measuring the Information Society website (UNCTAD)http://measuring-ict.unctad.org/

World Bank Data and Statisticshttp://www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/countrydata.html

National Regulatory Authorities

Regional Regulatory Organisations

Research Organisation


Summary

Access to and opportunities for productive use of ICTs, engenders economic and social empowerment and facilitates participation and democracy.

ICTs are fundamental for achieving development goals.

It is important to set goals and to chart progress – at local to international levels.

Documents

ICTs for Development (ICT4D) Multimedia Training Kit