Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Development (IMAT3112)

1. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Development (IMAT3112) Dr. Kutoma Wakunuma Senior Lecturer and Researcher De Montfort University Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility (CCSR)

2. Background • The idea was contribute to DMU’s stand on achieving social good and its global activities • UNs SDGs as key • DMUGlobal and DMU Square mile. • ICTs play a crucial role in development, aim • To develop a module with a specific focus on ICT for sustainable development • To help students understand the role of ICTs for international development • To help student understand how ICTs can be used to achieve SDGs. • Offer an opportunity to see how students can contribute to achieving SDGs

3. What Does the Module Do? • Explores issues associated with the use and development of ICTs in developing nations and emerging economies • Looks at the characteristics which make up a developing country, how we assess their ICT position and capability and what issues face developing countries • It cultivates insights into the relationship of developing countries with larger nations in terms of how ICTs assist in international cooperation and development • Addresses particular areas of ICT application • Education • Health • E-government • Environmental sustainability among others • Within the context of the UNs SDGs

4. Module Learning Outcomes • To recognise and critically appraise the range of ICT issues within a developing country • To research into issues that affect a successful implementation of ICTs for development and integrate ideas into a comprehensible evaluation that demonstrates a critical analysis • To apply an RRI theoretical framework in the analysis of ICTs for Development

5. The role of ICT in SDGs • Technology makes it possible to collate the data we need to keep the promise to leave no one behind. But, we need political leadership, resources and commitment to use the tools now available. (António GUTERRES, 2018)

6. ICT in everyday life • Education • Health care/well-being • Business • Leisure/Entertainment • Politics/Governance • (More-so in developed communities)

7. The Result of such use…… • Positive societal impact • Socio- economic development • Political development • Personal development • Justice and Human Rights • Made possible by….. • Access to and sharing of information • Ease of connectivity • Affordability of Technologies • Existing infrastructure • Skills capability and technological know-how • Accountability and transparency • Not always the case for developing countries/marginalised communities

8. ICT Specific SDGs • Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all • Indicator: higher education scholarships (Goal 4 – 4B) • 4B - By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrollment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programs, in developed countries and other developing countries • Source: The Sustainable Development Goals Report, 2018

9. ICT Specific SDGs • Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls • Indicator: women’s empowerment (Goal 5 – 5B) • 5B - Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women • Source: The Sustainable Development Goals Report, 2018

10. ICT Specific SDGs • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure • 9C - Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020 • 2015, medium-high- and high-technology sectors accounted for 44.7% of total manufacturing value added globally. The value added reached 34.6% in developing economies, up from 21.5 per cent in 2005. • 2016, the proportion of the population covered by a third generation (3G) mobile broadband network stood at 61% in the LDCs and 84% globally. • Source: The Sustainable Development Goals Report, 2018

11. ICT Specific SDGs • Goal 17: Strengthen Global Partnership • Indicator: innovation capacity (Goal 17–T17.8) • 17.8 - Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries by 2017 and enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology

12. Tasks For Students • Identify a developing country and critically appraise its ICT status. This includes • exploring the country’s ICT policies • extent of ICT usage • identification of specific ICT areas or domains such as health, education, industry, governance among others within the context of SDGs • Identify and describe issues that affect the successful implementation of ICTs in their chosen country. • Discuss how students envision effective ICTs could be implemented in the chosen country • Provide recommendations on effective ICT implementation that may include criteria on responsible and sustainable ICTs that are socially acceptable and desirable for the chosen country

13. EMBEDDING • A combination of activities • Discussion papers • Case studies for critical evaluation purposes • Mapping exercises on achieving SDGs • Debates • Students encouraged to select a developing country of their choice from the OECD ODA list to appraise • Students also chose their domain areas within which to discuss the ICT issues and implementation recommendations • PwC SDG Selector which shows specific SDG areas of a country

14. Some student Comments about Module • I found the module interesting especially as we were able to learn about different countries and their different needs. If I had to do it again, I would choose the same module • I really enjoy the module because I can relate to the issues of my home country and how ICT can help it improve • I liked the SDG selector because it has helped us understand the pressing SDGs associated with a country. I also like the layout of the report template because it has made the whole report writing a lot easier • The case studies are helpful and interesting. They give us a real-life perspectives to how digitalisation can help developing countries

15. Future Plans • New module which has only started in this term, so still room for improvement • Possible field trips associated with ICT for Development • Can be within Leicester to visit local ICT4D incubators • Conferences • International trips where possible (DMUGlobal/DMU Square Mile)

16. Possible Student Gains • Develop relevant and specific skills related to international development and ICT use • Knowledge of practical aspects of ICT4D delivery • Potential to influence the role that ICTs can play in development e.g. as Consultants • Wider understanding and interest in development issues • Critical thinking • Shared learning experience • Develop you intellectually • Contribute to world solutions (UN’s SDGs) - Fulfilling

17. ….End Goal

18. Thank you! Email: kutoma@dmu.ac.uk Twitter: @KWakunuma

19. Themes • ICT-specific goals in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) • Digitalisation in developing countries • The social and economic impact of ICTs • Responsible ICT4D • Evaluation and implementation of ICTs for Development