ICT4D: Information and Communication Technology for Development

by Cambridge University Press

Overview

ICT4D provides an authoritative account of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in contemporary development practice. It combines theory with practical guidance – including both a conceptual framework for understanding the rapid development of ICT4D. Case studies provide detailed examples of issues and initiatives from a variety of countries and organisations. ICTs are becoming increasingly significant in improving the impacts of development practice. However, ICT4D projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America have not always been as effective as their proponents had hoped. This book explores both the successes and the challenges facing such initiatives, and provides clear recommendations for how they can be developed in more sustainable ways for the benefit of poor people and marginalised communities. ICT4D is essential reading for anyone involved in planning, designing or implementing ICT4D initiatives. N.B. Not endorsed by CIE, but can offer support material for CIE centres.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521712361
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	02/09/2009
Series:	Cambridge Learning
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	404
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

Table of Contents

Preface and acknowledgements vi

Acronyms and glossary vii

Contributors xiii

1 Introduction Tim Unwin 1

Aims and objectives 2

Organisation and structure 3

Part 1 Contextual framework 7

2 Development agendas and the place of ICTs Tim Unwin 7

Development agendas 7

Case study: 'Across the wires th' electric message came, "He is no better; he is much the same"' (Richard Manning) 12

Information and knowledge societies 19

Technological interests and social change 30

3 Information and communication in development practices Tim Unwin 39

Information and communication in development 40

Information in development practice 53

Effective communication in development practice 61

Access, understanding and relevance 69

4 The technologies: identifying appropriate solutions for development needs Tim Unwin 76

ICTs: a conceptual framework 77

The capture and storage of information 82

Case study: The Greenstone Digital Library Software (Ian H. Witten and David Bainbridge) 84

Case study: The internet of things (Marco Zennaro) 88

The physical infrastrucure 92

Case study: Radio for education (David Hollow) 102

User interfaces and information sharing 104

Individuals and communities: debates over software and content 114

Conclusions 119

5 ICT4D implementation: policies and partnerships Tim Unwin 125

Global ICT4D initiatives 126

Case study: The World Summit on the Information Society - a reflection (Mohamed Abida) 142

Case study: Telecentre 2.0. What's next? Almost anything (Mark Surman) 146

ICT4D national policies and strategies 150

Case study: ICT and education strategies in the Pacific (Michael Trucano) 156

Multi-stakeholder partnerships and the implementation of ICT4D initiatives 159

Case study: LifeLines India (Melissa Gabriel and Adrian Godfrey) 162

Delivering effective ICT4D partnerships 170

Part 2 Practical applications 177

6 ICTs, enterprise and development Michael L. Best Charles Kenny 177

ICT industries and ICT use 177

ICTs and economic development 179

Case study: Telecoms in post-conflict Afghanistan and Liberia (Michael L. Best and Charles Kenny) 182

The scale of ICT use in the developing world 185

The macroeconomic impact of use 188

The microeconomic impact of use 189

Success factors for ICT use 196

Case study: Chilean ICT policies and micro-entrepreneurs (Dorothea Kleine) 198

7 ICT in education: catalyst for development Michelle Selinger 206

Introduction 206

Education in developing countries 208

Developing and implementing new educational models 217

Case study: ICT and education in Rwanda (Alphonse Uworwabayeho, Jolly Rubagiza, Edmond Were, and Rosamund Sutherland) 228

Case study: Eu-China GBEP - an ICT-supported system for school-based professional development (Bernadette Robinson) 230

External involvement in enhancing educational delivery 238

Conclusions 242

8 E-health: information and communication technologies for health S. Yunkap Kwankam Ariel Pablos-Mendez Misha Kay 249

Introduction 249

Definitions of e-health 251

Historical development of e-health 252

The contemporary e-health landscape 254

Assessing the impact of e-health 271

Limitations of e-health 274

The future of e-health 275

Conclusions 276

9 E-government and e-governance James Guida Martin Crow 283

Introduction 283

E-government: its evolution and its challenges 284

The technologies 289

Case study: Local e-government services: Takalar, Indonesia (Martin Crow) 294

E-governance as management of IT implementations in government 296

E-governance as transformation of the relationship of government to citizens in an information society 306

Key issues in formulating a development- and reform-based e-governance strategy 310

Conclusions 316

10 Information and communication technologies for rural development Bob Day Peter Greenwood 321

Introduction 321

Stakeholder issues 323

ICTs for rural development: beginnings 327

Emerging possibilities 335

Case study: The hole in the wall, or minimally invasive education (Sugata Mitra) 340

ICT4RD: some future scenarios 346

ICTs, knowledge management and a new shared vision for rural development 351

11 Conclusions Tim Unwin 360

ICTs and development practices 360

Principles for effective ICT4D implementation 363

Towards a more effective global ICT4D agenda 369

Case study: Empowering youth in Jenin (Jonatan Stanczak, Ziad El-Khatib and Mohammad Moawia) 372

Index 376