Upgrading development: Can technology alleviate poverty?

Posted by EKStallings on Oct 26, 2011
Author: 
Stuart, Emma Jackson
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Publication Date: 
Sep 2011
Publisher/Journal: 
Cambridge University Press for The Humanitarian Centre
Publication language: 
English
Abstract: 

This report tackles ICT4D under three key headings: information, communication and participation. While not ignoring negatives, the report primarily explores, through the lens of Cambridge activities in ICT4D, the positive impacts and ongoing challenges of ICT4D: its ability to provide access to valuable information, to create meaningful two-way dialogues, to reach remote and excluded communities, and to empower the excluded to participate in their own development and societies.



There are still significant barriers preventing people in the Global South from accessing ICTs. But with the ongoing, rapid growth in mobile phone use and network connectivity across the world, the parameters are changing. We need to keep adapting to this environment in order to succeed. We must also ensure that the poorest and most disadvantaged are not left behind.



We have also seen challenges and progress that still need to be made in harnessing ICTs to achieve positive and lasting development outcomes. Technology can only ever be one ingredient in this process, but it can be a potent one. A key strength of ICT4D lies in the potential for participation, especially as technologies become more and more interactive.

Countries: 
Citation: 
Stuart, Emma Jackson. "Upgrading development: Can technology alleviate poverty?" Cambridge University Press for The Humanitarian Centre. 2011.
Featured?: 
No
Upgrading development: Can technology alleviate poverty? data sheet 994 Views
Author: 
Stuart, Emma Jackson
Publication Type: 
Report/White paper
Publication Date: 
Sep 2011
Publisher/Journal: 
Cambridge University Press for The Humanitarian Centre
Publication language: 
English
Abstract: 

This report tackles ICT4D under three key headings: information, communication and participation. While not ignoring negatives, the report primarily explores, through the lens of Cambridge activities in ICT4D, the positive impacts and ongoing challenges of ICT4D: its ability to provide access to valuable information, to create meaningful two-way dialogues, to reach remote and excluded communities, and to empower the excluded to participate in their own development and societies.



There are still significant barriers preventing people in the Global South from accessing ICTs. But with the ongoing, rapid growth in mobile phone use and network connectivity across the world, the parameters are changing. We need to keep adapting to this environment in order to succeed. We must also ensure that the poorest and most disadvantaged are not left behind.



We have also seen challenges and progress that still need to be made in harnessing ICTs to achieve positive and lasting development outcomes. Technology can only ever be one ingredient in this process, but it can be a potent one. A key strength of ICT4D lies in the potential for participation, especially as technologies become more and more interactive.

Countries: 
Citation: 
Stuart, Emma Jackson. "Upgrading development: Can technology alleviate poverty?" Cambridge University Press for The Humanitarian Centre. 2011.
Featured?: 
No

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd><p><br> <b><i><blockquote>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

More information about formatting options