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Up-scaling pro-poor ICT policies and practices

GERSTER, Richard
ZIMMERMANN, Sonja
February 2005

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This paper is the result of a literature review and discussions during a two-day workshop. It examines how ICT can make a difference in reducing poverty and reaching the MDGs. This potential contrasts, however, with the relatively modest pro-poor ICT implementation level. It asks what key barriers impede the implementation of declarations, and how can we multiply, upscale and replicate successful pilot projects. This study idenfies four "basic requirements" for successful up-scaling of poverty reduction through ICTs: an enabling ICT policy environment; a high priority assigned to ICT for poverty reduction; appropriate technology choices; and mobilisation of additional public and private resources

ICTs and MDGs : on the wrong track?

HEEKS, Richard
February 2005

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This article proposes a revision of the relevance of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as the incidence of ICT use in the achievement of those goals, and argues that some different priorities should be considered to make most effective use of the opportunities that new technology affords. It examines the potential for ICTs in achieving the MDGs and provides a background for a later article on the possibilities for a multi-sectoral approach

Librarians and the use of information communication technologies in the provision of HIV/AIDS information in developing countries

CHIKONZO, Agnes
2005

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This insightful and well-researched paper presents examples of good practice in managing information in and among HIV and AIDS organisations. It focuses on the work of SAfAIDS in Zimbabwe to present innovative ways of working with information. With reference to technologies from radio to the Internet, information workers such as librarians can advance networking and information exchange in the sector

Promoting the application of science and technology to meet the development goals contained in the Millennium Declaration

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL. UNCTAD
April 2004

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This paper places ICT in a broad perspective of science and technology. The report seeks to identify approaches for the effective promotion and use of science and technology to meet the development goals contained in the Millennium Declaration (MDGs). It particularly emphasises that academia/government/industry partnerships are essential in order to build scientific and technological capabilities and to foster market-oriented policies and developments; and that access to new and emerging technologies is imperative

The cost-effectiveness of technology transfer using telemedicine

JOHNSON, K
KENNEDY, C
MURDOCH, I
2004

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This article describes the use of teleophthalmology, a form of telemedicine, as a mode of technology transfer between the United Kingdom and South Africa. Researchers found the technology transfer project to be cost-effective in reducing the burden of eye disease, and that practitioners in South Africa also learned novel procedures that could help future patients and improve cost-effectiveness

Programme experiences : youth AIDS network - Latin America and the Caribbean

COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE
2004

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In an effort to build networks for youth HIV/AIDS prevention, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has collaborated with international organisations and YouthNet to create an email network of adolescent health specialists. PAHO's Child and Adolescent Health and HIV/AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) units are leading the effort, which focuses on youth AIDS prevention in Latin America and the Caribbean. This article examines the experiences of organisers of the programme, in which members receive the Youth HIV Action newsletter and Breaking the Silence advocacy sheet, among other publications

Resource centre manual : how to set up and manage a resource centre

O'SULLIVAN, Sheila
et al
2003

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Contains practical information on all aspects of setting up and managing a resource centre, from planning, fundraising and finding a suitable location, to collecting and organising materials, developing information services, and monitoring and evaluating the work of the resource centre. It assumes that most readers will use manual systems for organising information, but also explains how computers can be used in resource centres, including e-mail, Internet and databases. It describes how to select database software, and contains a detailed review of three leading database programs. It includes a list of organisations and publications that can provide further information

Livelihoods approaches to information and communication in support of rural poverty elimination and food security

CHAPMAN, Robert
SLAYMAKER, Tom
YOUNG, John
2003

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FAO, DFID and ODI undertook a study in 2001/2 to analyse the role of information in livelihoods, and make recommendations on how agencies can capitalise on and integrate the best elements of traditional communication methods and new information and communication (ICT) technologies within the livelihoods approach. This publication provides the results of the initial literature review, comprised of a 30 page paper followed by 20 pages of heavily annotated references. The key conclusions were that information and communications systems are most likely to improve livelihoods in rural areas if they: share costs appropriately; ensure equitable access to all; contain a high proportion of local or appropriately localised content; build on existing systems; build capacity; use realistic technologies; and build knowledge partnerships

Twinning against AIDS : a report and proposal for using information and communication technologies to improve the sharing of information, skills and experience between organisations responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis

October 2002

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The twinning approach enables organisations to share lessons and experience more widely and to support each other while seeking ways to act more effectively in their own communities. This report was generated following a December 2001 meeting of organisations from North and South America and the Caribbean involved or interested in HIV/AIDS twinning processes, who came together to further discuss how twinning partnerships could be improved, expanded and sustained over time

Strengthening the knowledge and information systems of the urban poor : policy paper

SCHILDERMAN, Theo
April 2002

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This brief policy paper summarises the findings of a research project that focused on the information needs of the urban poor, and the information sources they access. The study found that the main sources of information were social networks, key informants, and infomediaries. It ends with six suggestions for development agencies seeking to share their knowledge and information with the urban poor

Strengthening the knowledge and information systems of the urban poor

SCHILDERMAN, Theo
March 2002

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Presents the findings of a research project that focused on the information needs of the urban poor, and the information sources they access. The study found that the main sources of information were social networks, key informants, and infomediaries. It considers the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs), and impact assessment methods. It ends with suggestions for development agencies seeking to share their knowledge and information with the urban poor

The significance of information and communication technologies for reducing poverty

MARKER, Phil
MCNAMARA, Kerry
WALLACE, Lindsay
January 2002

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A study for DFID staff, and for policy consideration, about the role of ICT in development. Identifies and assess the links between information and poverty, and concludes that although spreading ICT ('bridging the digital divide') should not be an end in itself, there is enormous potential for ICTs to increase information flow and empower poor people. The study then discusses the potential role of the international community, and sets out specific recommendations for DFID. Includes several appendices containing: a bibliography; brief case studies of Chile, Costa Rica and India; and list of related DFID funded projects. The study concludes that ICT should not be viewed as an end itself but has the potential as a tool to increase information flows and empower people. It can play a part in achieving International Development Goals

Enhancing communications and connectivity in Africa : the multilateral initiative on malaria (MIM) model | Medinfo 2001: Proceedings of the 10th World Congress on Medical Informatics

SIEGEL, E R
ROYALL, J
BENNETT, M
2001

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The article describes the MIM project. The US National Library of Medicine, working in concert with the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM), has developed and implemented a unique organisational and technical strategy to connect malaria research sites to the Internet for purposes of facilitating North-South scientific communications and access to electronic information resources on the Web. The model employs microwave and VSAT technologies, and shares bandwidth and costs among participating malaria research sites and their respective research funders in Mali, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania and other sub-Saharan locations affiliated with MIM

Information and communication technologies in Africa

ADEYA, Catherine Nyaki
2001

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[From foreward:] This literature review and annotated bibliography explore the evidence for the potential of ICTs (information and communication technologies) to assist in Africa's development, and the extent to which ICTs are changing the 'shape' of Africa. The review begins by introducing ICTs and the information economy in the African context. The literature selected for the bibliography is then reviewed thematically under a number of headings: Overview of ICTs in Africa; Information infrastructure; Information economy; Information management; Socio-cultural and political issues; Education and training; and Gender. The review reveals that, despite many constraints, the use of ICTs is growing in Africa and there have been successful developments in infrastructure, information management, networking and gender-related issues. However, the literature has also revealed considerable variation between different African countries in their adoption and use of these technologies. The literature reviewed relates primarily to anglophone Africa and generally excludes telecommunications issues, as these are already well documented in other publications. In essence it is hoped that this publication will act as a window of opportunity for more nationally and locally focused empirical research and will make a contribution to understanding the research opportunities and challenges that still face most African countries

Information technologies, health, and globalization : anyone excluded?

PARENT, Florence
COPPIETERS, Yves
PARENT, Marc
2001

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The authors, specialists in public health and members of an association that aims to create opportunities for access to training in public health in developing countries, warn that the use of the term globalization ignores the reality of the digital divide, that is, the fact that social inequalities may preclude the realization of this promise on a truly global scale. The article deals with several critical questions of the north to south communications and the limits to this type of information for public health training

Investing in knowledge : ECDPM experiences, 1994-2000

BALLANTYNE, Peter
November 2000

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New information and communication technologies (ICTs) are changing the way our organisations work. In response, organisations are devising new, collaborative, strategies to manage information and share knowledge. This paper illustrates how ECDPM, a small foundation, has sought to achieve its information and communication goals

Tecnologías de la información aplicadas a salud en zonas rurales de América Latina

EHAS

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The objectives of the programme 'Enlace Hispano-Americano de Salud' are oriented to offer low-cost possibilities of communication and services of access to information for health personnel in the countryside of Latin America where conventional telephony is not widespread. The services are based on the exchange of information between colleagues, specialist consults and access to specialized documentation through facilitators. The technologies allow access to the Internet through radio systems and are based on the use of electronic mail

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