New Book: Digital Poverty: Latin American and Caribbean Perspectives
<www.dirsi.net> The Regional Dialogue on Information Society (DIRSI Diálogo regional sobre la sociedad de la información) launched its new work, _Digital Poverty: Latin American and Caribbean Perspectives_, on 17 November at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS Tunis). NB: The Spanish version, _Pobreza Digital: Perspectivas de América Latina y el Caribe_ will be published and available for download in early 2006. The book presents recent research from the DIRSI network of researchers, on the themes of pro-poor ICT indicators and assessment of information needs; consumer protection in a context of market concentration mitigating the effects of regulatory reforms; and the role of new technologies and community ownership models for extending service provision opportunities. Two first two chapters in this volume propose new methodologies for obtaining a clearer perspective on the current status of Information Society in LAC with a particular focus on who is excluded from this picture. Gover Barja (Universidad Católica Boliviana) and Björn-Sören Gigler (London School of Economics) propose an information poverty assessment methodology to be applied within the LAC region. A digital poverty methodology elaborated by Roxana Barantes (Instituto de Estudios Peruanos) has already been applied in Peru to better inform policy formulation and decision-making. Jorge Dussán (Universidad del Rosario, Colombia) and Juan Manuel Roldán (Universidad de los Andes, Colombia) propose a survey to assess the regulatory terrain giving voice to all stakeholders. The particular interest here is to work towards more effective intervention and protection of consumer rights. This work is informed by Judith Mariscals (Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas CIDE) assessment of the role of the market in Latin America, and contending with the continents current duopoly situation. Hernan Galperin (Universidad de San Andrés/USC) and Bruce Girard (Comunica) detail new ownership models and possibilities for community provision of network services. This work provides evidence of highly replicable models. The Percolator Model outlined by Kim Mallalieu and Sean Rocke (The University of the West Indies) will further inform community choices of appropriate technology. The books launching was hosted by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), during the WSIS side-event, Pro-Poor Pro- Market ICT Policy and Regulation. This day-long event provided an opportunity for DIRSI researchers to present their findings to public policymakers, advocacy and civil society members, and to other researchers including from LIRNE.NET (Learning Initiatives on Reforms for Network Economies) who also participated in this day of research dissemination. The English version of this book is now available for download as a .pdf document from the DIRSI website <www.dirsi.net>. -- Amy Mahan www.lirne.net www.regulateonline.org _______________________________________________ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
