ICT4D Theory

Open Development: A New Theory for ICT4D

Open development refers to an emerging set of possibilities to catalyze positive change through “open” information-networked activities in international development. While there is evidence to support the observation that these changes could be coming, we are only now beginning to glimpse their potential for developing societies. Consequently, embedded in this theory are a high level research question and hypothesis. The research question asks how these information-networked activities work, in what circumstances, and to whose benefit.

ICT, Development, and Poverty Reduction: Five Emerging Stories

Drawing from a wide range of recent literature, this paper identifies five main stories that come together at many points in the literature: universal access, economic and social services, openness, human development, and innovation. It is worth underlining that this article is mostly about mobile phone access and use, as this is the dominant story of the last decade for people in the bottom or base of the pyramid. This is not to deny the importance of broadband, Internet connection, or computers and devices with computing power much greater than that of mobiles.

Discourses on ICT and Development

This article reviews the multidisciplinary literature on ICTD and identifies two perspectives regarding the nature of the ICT innovation process in developing countries—as transfer and diffusion and as socially embedded action—and two perspectives on the development transformation toward which ICT is understood to contribute—progressive transformation and disruptive transformation. The paper then discusses the four discourses formed by combining the perspectives on the nature of IS innovation and on the development transformation.

The ICT4D 2.0 Manifesto: Where Next for ICTs and International Development?

This paper explains the phase change – from "ICT4D 1.0" to "ICT4D 2.0" – and its implications. The background to these phases is reviewed, charting the logic and chronology of applying ICTs in developing countries. The implications of the phase change are then analysed. First, in terms of new technology and application priorities. Then, in relation to new models of innovation we may need to embrace: from laboratory to collaborative to grassroots innovation. Next, in relation to new implementation models for funding, managing, and applying digital technology.

Introducing Internet-Based Services in the Mountain Areas of Nepal: An Asset Pentagon Perspective

Information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) projects can only be considered successful if they lead to some kind of individual, social, or economic development. The benefits of introducing ICT4D projects in developing countries are yet to be realized, particularly those introduced in mountainous and remote areas. This study addresses this knowledge gap by analyzing the Nepal Wireless Networking Project from the mountain areas in Nepal using the assets pentagon model (APM).

ICT 4 the MDGs? A Perspective on ICTs’ Role in Addressing Urban Poverty in the Context of the Millennium Development Goals

This article assesses ICTs’ role in reaching the goals, with an emphasis on urban poverty. Over the lifespan of the MDGs, debate about ICTs and development has grown. On one side are those who see ICTs as enabling rapid growth and citizen empowerment; on the other side are those who warn that “technical fixes” cannot overcome the historic and structural causes of poverty. In this article, using the organizing framework of the eight MDGs, these debates are discussed by reviewing examples of ICT projects that aim to further the goals’ realization.

UN-APCICT supports ICTD human capacity building in Myanmar

On 14-24 July UN-APCICT conducted a two-week customized capacity building workshop on ICT for development (ICTD) for 33 senior government officials in Pyin Oo Lwin, Upper Myanmar with the collaboration of Union Civil Service Board of Myanmar.

31-07-2014

To build an information society in which information and communication technologies (ICTs) are at the service of sustainable socio-economic development, Myanmar has been working to strengthen its human capacity in integrating these technologies in  national development strategies and programmes.

UN-APCICT promotes ICT for development curricula in the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

The Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (APCICT) and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka co-organized High Level Briefing on the Primer Series on ICTD for Youth on 29 September 2016. The Briefing took place in conjunction with the national launch of Women and ICT Frontier Initiative (WIFI) in Sri Lanka.