ICTs for Development (ICT4D)

1. ICTs for Development (ICT4D) Multimedia Training Kit <www.itrainonline.org>

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Drivers of ICT4D • The Missing Link (extending basic telecom infrastructure to all) • Rise of Civil Society • Communication Rights • Globalization and Information Networks

6. 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

7. 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>

8. Different ICT4D components access to ICTs ability to use ICTs actual use of ICTs impact of using ICTs.

9. 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

10. Real Access Criteria (1) Affordability Is technology access affordable for people to use? Capacity Do people understand how to use technology and its potential uses?

11. Real Access Criteria (2) Relevant content Is there locally relevant content, especially in terms of language? Integration Does the technology further burden people's lives or does it integrate into daily routines?

12. Real Access Criteria (3) Socio-cultural factors Are people limited in their use of technology based on gender, race, or other socio-cultural factors? Trust Do people have confidence in and understand the implications of the technology they use, for instance in terms of privacy, security, or cybercrime?

13. Real Access Criteria (4) Political will Is there political will in government to do what is needed to enable the integration of technology throughout society? Legal and regulatory framework How do laws and regulations affect technology use and what changes are needed to create an environment that fosters its use?

14. Real Access Criteria (5) Local economic environment Is there a local economy that can and will sustain technology use? Macro economic environment Is national economic policy conducive to widespread technology use, for example, in terms of transparency, deregulation, investment, and labour issues?

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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?

25. Models for ICT4D implementation • Community driven initiatives • Private Public Partnerships • Pro poor, pro market strategies • Public service models

26. Regulatory issues • Universal service • Consumer advocacy • Pricing policies • Interconnection agreements • Efficient use of resources • Licencing for internet service providers • Spectrum licencing

27. Indicators • What are indicators? • What kind of information do indicators provide? • Where can indicators be obtained?

28. 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.

29. What kind of information do indicators provide? • Quantitative indicators • Qualitative information • Relative terms • Absolute terms

30. 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

31. 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.