Open Source solutions became a real alternative in western and northern countries as well as in Asian countries. In Africa, Open Source initiatives have not yet been discussed thoroughly. This brief summarizes research carried out in Tanzania, Uganda and Burkina Faso, asking how and if Open Source is used
This document brings together recommendations for the Dutch delegation to the 2003 'World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)'. Themes identified are: cyber rights: property, privacy and freedom of expression; ICT and education; civil society and empowerment; and trade and entrepreneurship
Report of a 2003 workshop on the role of ICTs in encouraging continuing professional development in east Africa. It identified a number of preconditions for ensuring that ICTs contribute to more effective CME (continuing medical education)
This research report argues that the project environment should be divided into a political and a cultural dimension. Both dimensions are difficult to direct, but by analysing them it is possible to foresee problems between the project organisation and its environment. Instead of directing the political and cultural forces, the art of management lies in anticipating them in advance. [Publisher's abstract]
The use of wireless networks in developing areas is promising. Since ground cables are only economic in high-density environments, a wireless network is much cheaper when long distances need to be crossed to rural areas
Report of a workshop that explored the sustainability of ICT-enabled development interventions. The discussion centred around the 'classic' or organisational and developmental factors, indicating that ICTs are not inherently more or less sustainable than other instruments. It also focused on some of the specific characteristics of ICTs - such as their fast pace and the effect of this acceleration on business processes and decision-making, and the illusion of the 'quick fix'. The report also pulls out the impact of basic infrastructure on the impact of ICTs in addressing poverty. It concludes with eight 'steps' or guides to enhancing the sustainability of ICT-enabled interventions
Drawing from a consultation process to examine how local content in developing countries is created, adapted, and exchanged, this report provides some answers to these questions. It is a synthesis of lessons; the case stories which are reproduced in an accompanying report provide details on actual experienses and lessons from the ground
Education in many West African countries is especially weak in rural areas where teachers are deprived of up-to-date information and other basic educational resources. As wireless services become a reality in some places, new multimedia technologies may become a possibility. [Publisher's abstract]
This report on the application of XML in developing countries gives an overview of some interesting (for IICD's local partners) information resources about XML - focusing on the required tools and processes and the technical consequences. [Publisher's abstract]
