[GKD] Welcome Back to the GKD Discussion!
Dear GKD Members, Welcome back to the GKD discussion! We apologize for the longer than expected hiatus of the List, due to the Moderators' extended travel commitments. There have been several important recent developments in the ICT for Development arena -- including some new low-cost technologies -- which we will tackle in the coming weeks, and we look forward to our Members' continued contributions and expertise in assessing their relevance and value. As you know, while GKD was on hiatus, two strong hurricanes devastated Southern US, particularly Louisiana and Mississippi. GKD moderators have been involved with a first-responder organization to help them improve the use of ICT in their efforts. A major lesson from this tragedy -- but not one that is new to GKD members! -- was that technology availability is not enough. Intercommunication among the various relief agencies must be well planned and effectively implemented on the ground. We will be sending a message regarding some initiatives related to disaster first-response that would greatly benefit from GKD members' expertise and experience. Meanwhile, we would like to get input from our Knowledge Management experts on GKD as to how fiascos like this can be avoided in the future, e.g., through better database structures and more innovative ways of networking under very trying conditions. In this case, lessons from developing countries can provide very valuable lessons for the US. The GKD Moderators ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD] ANN: Resumption of Regular GKD Discussion
Dear GKD Members, The GKD List will resume its regular, open-ended discussion starting today. We thank our members for their valuable insights and participation during our focussed discussion on the theme of Empowering Local Communitites and Improving Local Government Through ICT. Although the open-ended discussion resumes today, we will still welcome any further submissions on the Local Government/Governance theme. Once again, thank you for your continuing contributions to the GKD List. Sincerely, The GKD Moderators and the DOT-COM Alliance ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD-DOTCOM] What's on the Horizon for ICT and Local Government?
What's on the Horizon for ICT and Local Government? GKD members have identified a number of cases where ICTs have improved local government performance, and outlined major obstacles and critical success factors. With increasing emphasis on decentralization in developing countries, the role of ICT in improving local governance will become more ever more important. As GKD members have noted, technologies make it possible to gather, analyze and distribute information in new ways that promote better responsiveness, transparency and efficiency. But technologies are only part of the solution -- national and local policies, citizen knowledge and power, and incentives influencing local government officials all affect the outcomes. During this week, we would like to discuss how local governments could - and should - be using ICT in the next three years. We would like to focus on: * Identifying successful cases that should be brought to scale: We in the development community hear many accounts of ICT for local government accompanied by a great deal of hype. We would like to cut through the hype and identify concrete uses of ICT that have had a positive impact, and determine what is needed to bring them to scale. * Identify new and emerging ICTs that can provide important tools for improving local government: What exciting new technologies are becoming available over the next 3 years, and what other inputs are needed to make them effective. Key Questions (1) What cases of ICT for local government show concrete positive impact and should be brought to scale? What is needed to bring them to scale successfully? (2) What technologies have already shown great promise in the field and should be promoted over the coming three years? (3) What new technologies will soon be available, which can help improve local government performance? What is needed to use them effectively? (4) Should the ICTs we introduce, and our strategies for introducing them, be different for different kinds of communities, e.g., for different levels of local government (regions, districts, cities), different sized municipalities, and rural communities vs. urban communities? (5) Based on what we have learned, what are the critical success factors and pitfalls for helping local governments use ICT? Please provide a case that demonstrates each of those factor(s)/pitfall(s). This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For past messages, see: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html
[GKD-DOTCOM] How Can Local Governments Use ICT To Improve Their Efficiency?
How can local governments use ICT to improve the efficiency of service delivery to local citizens and businesses? Under decentralization, local governments must deliver more services to citizens, often with little or no increase in resources. These governments, and the donors that want to strengthen them, face a dilemma: ICT purportedly helps improve efficiency, reducing costs while improving services. Yet given their extremely limited resources, should local governments and donors invest in ICT? If so, how? Consider a poor rural county of Romania. In the past, Social Services assistance employees had to hand-write information from applicants, and make time-consuming trips to deliver the information to the Country Social Services Center, creating long delays between citizens' applying for and receiving social services assistance. Under a USAID-supported project, the local administration established a computer-based system with Internet connectivity, which, along with training of local government employees, greatly improved the efficiency of the Social Services Administration application process and helped deliver assistance to low-income residents far more quickly, when they needed it most. This week, we would like to identify projects that are trying to improve the efficiency of local government service delivery -- whether specific applications affecting a limited range of services, or a broader range of applications, such as the Citizen Service Centers mentioned by Gary Garriott (in his message of May 5). We hope to learn from GKD Members the steps local governments have taken to use ICT to improve their service delivery, the outcomes of those actions, and lessons learned from both successes and problems. Key Questions: 1. Do you know of specific local governments that adopted ICT to improve their efficiency? What approaches have been successful? What 'lessons learned' have emerged from their successes? or failures? 2. What key challenges do local governments face when they aim to use ICT to improve local service delivery? 3. Should local governments try to involve the community in planning and decision-making regarding investments in ICT for improved service delivery? (See Eddi Sakti's message of May 6). 4. Can ICT investments improve efficiency and generate a return-on-investments (e.g., by increasing tax revenue) that enables local governments to cover the costs of operations, maintenance, and upgrades? 5. What are some critical factors to consider in terms of technology options and choices? Are there specific technologies that have proven effective? 6. What benefits, (e.g., easier form filing), should citizens experience from local government adoption of ICT? Which of those benefits are most important to citizens? This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For past messages, see: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html
[GKD-DOTCOM] How Can ICT Facilitate Community Participation in Local Governance?
How can ICT help communities/civil society (e.g., businesses, media, schools, etc.) participate more effectively in local decision-making? As GKD members have often discussed, public participation is a critical ingredient for good governance, whether at the local or national level. Citizens must be able to communicate their needs and demands to decision-makers, and vice versa. In theory, at least, active public participation also promotes government responsiveness to public needs. This week's discussion focuses on identifying how ICT can facilitate the exchange of information between decision-makers and the public, as well as ensuring that consultation mechanisms are open and transparent. There are many ways in which governments try to give citizens a voice. It can be as simple as establishing a telephone hotline citizens can use to report wrong-doing or corruption by local government officials within a broader anti-corruption strategy. And it can involve providing complex tools to facilitate effective citizen participation in many areas of local government. For example, allocation of local resources is a critical function of local governments - and a growing responsibility during decentralization. Local governments may want to establish participatory budgeting mechanisms and use ICT to improve public access to budget information, and even to facilitate broader participation in the decision-making process. Take the municipality of Ipatinga in the southeast state of Minas Gerais (Brazil). In 2001, they began using the Internet to give citizens an opportunity to vote on budgetary priorities and allotments for local projects. They had introduced participatory budgeting a few years before, but participation became much easier when they began using the Internet and citizens could voice their opinions on budget priorities through computer stations in various public locations. In addition, citizens could submit online proposals, keep an eye on the implementation of city projects, and participate in online chats with the mayor. For more information on Interactive Participatory Budgeting in Ipatinga, see a short case study: Internet Use and Citizen Participation in Local Government: Ipatinga's Interactive Participatory Budgeting: An Innovations in Technology and Governance Case Study. URL: http://www.ashinstitute.harvard.edu/Ash/Ipatinga_ITG_Case.pdf We hope that this week's discussion will help to identify other successful cases where ICT has facilitated community/civil society participation in local government. Key Questions 1. Are there local communities using ICT to access information, improve transparency, and participate in local government decision-making? If so, what technologies are they using? 2. Are there specific examples of successful approaches, projects, or lessons learned? 3. What are the 'critical factors' required to use ICT effectively to improve participation, transparency, and accountability of local government? For example, are there particular pre-conditions required for success? 4. What are the pitfalls and challenges to using ICT to improve local governance? Please be specific and provide concrete examples. 5. Are there specific technology options and choices that are more likely to result in successful use of ICT to improve community participation in local decision-making? 6. What steps and technologies would you recommend to a local government that is serious about improving public participation, and local government transparency and accountability? What would you recommend to citizens? This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For past messages, see: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html
[GKD] ANN: Empowering Local Communities Through ICT
Empowering Local Communities and Improving Local Government through ICT JOIN THE ONLINE DISCUSSION May 2 - May 27, 2005 ICT can contribute to fostering empowerment and participation and making government processes more efficient and transparent by encouraging communication and information-sharing among people and organizations, and within government. (Creating a Development Dynamic) ICTs can empower people and significantly improve local government -- statements like this are often treated cynically. Yet some communities have managed to use ICT to make their local governments more responsive, transparent, and efficient. Widespread trends toward decentralization make it crucial to learn from these communities. This discussion focuses on the question: How can ICT empower local communities and improve local governments, especially during a process of decentralization? Decentralization -- the transfer of power from central to local government -- has a highly questionable record. Decentralization reforms are often poorly designed and executed. As a result, local governments fail to fulfill their new responsibilities -- fiscal management, strategic planning, and very basic public services degenerate. Yet many donors and citizens continue to believe that decentralization provides new opportunities for active participation of an informed citizenry that will create more responsive, transparent and effective local government. Can ICT help improve the poor record of decentralization and make the goals of decentralization a reality? Can ICT empower citizens with the information and means they need to make their governments work effectively for them? What is needed to make ICT an effective tool for good local governance? These questions are crucial to the well-being of people throughout the developing world. This discussion will seek to answer these questions with concrete examples, specific cases, experience and recommendations that can guide local communities, local governments, ICT practitioners and decentralization experts. Join the discussion and share what you know regarding: * Cases of successful decentralization efforts that have utilized ICT effectively * Challenges to introducing ICT successfully into decentralization efforts * Technology options that work -- and those that don't * Cases of local governments using ICT to improve transparency, responsiveness and efficiency * Cases of citizens/civil society groups using ICT to participate more fully in local government decision-making * Technologies that have proven particularly effective in improving local government AGENDA Week 1: Can ICTs support successful decentralization and improve local governance? Week 2: How can local communities (e.g., businesses, NGOs, media, schools, etc.) use ICT to participate more effectively in local decision-making? Week 3: How can local governments use ICT to improve the efficiency of service delivery to local citizens and businesses? Week 4: Where do we want local governments to be in three years, and what should we be doing now, using ICT, to help realize that goal? This discussion is sponsored by the USAID-funded DOT-COM Alliance and hosted by GKD. It will focus on Using ICT to Empower Local Communities and Improve Local Government for four weeks (May 2 to May 27, 2005). However, GKD is a major forum for exchange of experience and knowledge on all aspects of ICT for development, with thousands of members from over 100 countries. The ongoing GKD forum will continue after this discussion topic. ***THE DOT-COM ALLIANCE*** This discussion is sponsored by the DOT-COM Alliance. The DOT-COM Alliance is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): (GDG-A-00-01-9-00, dot-GOV; GDG-A-00-01-00014-00, dot-ORG; GDG-A-00-01-00011-00, dot-EDU). ***WORLD WIDE WEB SITES FOR THE DISCUSSION*** For those who would prefer to follow the discussion on the Web, the DOT-COM Archive (as of May 2) is available at: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html The DOT-COM Alliance website provides information about this discussion and other projects using ICT to support development: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org http://www.dot-com-alliance.com/events/discussiongroup.htm The GKD database provides an easy way to search messages of this and other GKD discussions: http://www.GKDknowledge.org ***MODERATOR*** This discussion is hosted by GKD and moderated by EDC, a nonprofit organization. ***FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*** For further information about the discussion, please contact: Janice Brodman [EMAIL PROTECTED] For further information about the DOT-COM Alliance, please contact: Barbara Fillip [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message
[GKD] South Asian Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster
Dear GKD Members, Our hearts go out to the millions of people affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit South Asia and Southeast Asia on Sunday. We hope that our members in all of the affected countries are safe, along with their families. If any GKD members have information on the use of ICT for disaster relief that they would like to share, we will forward the information to relief organizations. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been struck by this terrible disaster. The following URLs provide information on organizations that are working in the disaster relief area and are accepting donations: USAID Tsunami / Earthquake Relief http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/tsunami/ http://www.usaid.gov/locations/asia_near_east/tsunami/ngolist.htm Medecins Sans Frontieres International - Tsunami Emergency Appeal http://www.msf.org/donations/index.cfm Oxfam Asian Earthquake Tsunami Fund https://secure.ga3.org/02/asia_earthquake04 UNICEF South Asia Tsunami Relief Efforts http://www.unicefusa.org/tsunami Sarvodaya Relief Fund for Tsunami Tragedy http://www.sarvodaya.org/ AmeriCares South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund https://www.americaresfoundation.net/donate/default.aspx?id=South%20Asia%2 0Earthquake%20Relief%20Fund American Red Cross International Response Fund https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp Canadian Red Cross South East Asia Tidal Wave and Earthquake Appeal http://www.chsredcross.org/article.asp?id=011440tid=001 British Red Cross - Asia Earthquake and Floods Appeal http://www.bluepeter.redcross.org.uk/tsappeal/appeal.htm Australian Red Cross - Asia Quake and Tsunamis Appeal http://www.redcross.org.au/ourservices_aroundtheworld_emergencyrelief_Asia QuakeTsunamis.htm ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD-DOTCOM] ANN: Further Extension of the Focused Discussion
Dear GKD Members, Due to the large backlog of interesting messages yet to be posted, we will extend the focused discussion on Technology, Globalization and the Poor through this Friday, November 26. Once again, we thank the List Members for their continued participation. Sincerely, GKD Moderators WRI DOTCOM Alliance This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by USAID's dot-ORG Cooperative Agreement with AED, in partnership with World Resources Institute's Digital Dividend Project, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org and http://www.digitaldividend.org provide more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html
[GKD-DOTCOM] GKD Weekly Summary (11/8 - 11/12)
GKD Weekly Summary (11/8 - 11/12) This week GKD members continued examining the advantages and risks of using ICT and a business approach to achieve development goals. A lively debate also continued regarding whether the profit motive supports or conflicts with social benefit. Members also considered the opportunities that ICTs offer in the creation of new business partnerships between corporations and the poor. This message attempts to summarize briefly the major discussion points made on the GKD discussion focused on Technology, Globalization and the Poor. Inevitably, many valuable points will not be captured here, and new List members are encouraged to visit the List archives http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/. **A Technology and Business Approach to Development** Members continued examining the question: Can Technology and a Business Approach Make Globalization Work for the Poor? One member cautioned that technological innovation does not necessarily open new employment opportunities for everyone. Even advanced economies of Western Europe, which can boast of extensive technological innovation, suffer from high unemployment. How much greater, then, is the challenge for developing countries that want to use technology to generate jobs? Another GKD member countered that although technology alone does not necessarily create employment opportunities, when technology is introduced into an entrepreneurial environment, people will find ways to create new businesses and create new jobs. Members generally agreed that different business models can have differing impacts on an emerging economy. Although an export platform model can generate new jobs, it generally benefits only the few who are directly involved in that venture. In contrast, companies that have the poor as a target market segment, can spread benefits more broadly by providing needed products and services, and by expanding employment opportunities. Members shared examples of small and medium-sized businesses that follow the latter model, including India-based Datamation, n-Logue, Drishtee, and Reliance. Another GKD member added that examples also exist amongst larger companies, and pointed to ITC's e-Choupal and the efforts of Hindustan Lever and their Shakti project. List participants also raised a note of caution, however. One member captured the concerns by noting that globalization, business and technology are complex and powerful forces, and their impact can just as easily be negative as positive. Other List members emphasized the dual nature of technology and globalization, which can solve many problems when carefully implemented, but have also been responsible for widening income gaps, deepening dependency and ultimately, exacerbating poverty. Thus, members concluded, careful design and implementation are essential to ensure that the benefits trickle down to the poor. Otherwise, poor communities will experience little improvement in their lives despite thriving businesses and new uses of ICT elsewhere in the country. Yet other members expressed deeper concerns. They questioned whether aiming to increase consumption of external goods and services is the most appropriate model for development, especially when such consumption is provided by large corporations that compete with -- or substitute for the development of -- local businesses. These members argue that this type of model moves capital out of the local community and into the hands of big corporations, and therefore might not be beneficial for sustainable development in the long run. Finally, one List member from India haled the enormous opportunities that exist in the Indian market for international companies willing to change the ways they typically operate. This member advised companies interested in developing countries like India to gain a clear understanding of the particular products and services that will be attractive to the local market. For example, Indian consumers generally spend less on each item, so savvy companies package items in smaller quantities than they would for Western markets. Companies can gain a strategic advantage by establishing research centers in the countries where they want to operate, to develop products that will be tailored to and competitive in the local market. Such operations would obviously open new job opportunities within the developing countries in which they are located. **Profitability, Sustainability, and Social Benefit** Members continued the debate of the previous week regarding the conflicting impacts of the profit motive. One member suggested that profit has both advantages and risks. The profit motive alone will not solve the problem of poverty, yet private companies are likely to be the most efficient providers of the tools that can help people improve their conditions. Members emphasized that profit and social motives need not be mutually exclusive goals. One member argued that sustainable growth is most likely to
[GKD-DOTCOM] ANN: Extension of Focused Discussion
Dear GKD Members, Thank you for another outstanding discussion. As most of you know, the focus on Technology, Globalization and the Poor was scheduled to end today. However, due to the large number of messages yet to be posted, we are extending the focused discussion until next Tuesday, November 30. Again, many thanks to all List members for your valuable contributions and continuing vibrant dialogue. Sincerely, GKD Moderators WRI DOTCOM Alliance This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by USAID's dot-ORG Cooperative Agreement with AED, in partnership with World Resources Institute's Digital Dividend Project, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org and http://www.digitaldividend.org provide more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html
[GKD-DOTCOM] GKD Weekly Summary (11/01 - 11/05)
GKD Weekly Summary (11/01 - 11/05) This week GKD members continued examining the win-win benefits that can be reaped from pro-poor business strategies, and provided some examples. They also turned to a discussion of the striking challenges involved in creating and implementing those strategies. Members also considered a new topic: the functional -- and dysfunctional -- role profit can play in promoting activity that provides real value to the poor. This message attempts to summarize briefly the major discussion points made on the GKD discussion focused on Technology, Globalization and the Poor. Inevitably, many valuable points will not be captured here, and new List members are encouraged to visit the List archives http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/. **A Technology and Business Approach to Development** Members continued examining the issues raised in week 1: the advantages of risks of using ICT and a business approach to achieve development goals. One member noted that reference to the poor might include a range of populations. Low income groups may well benefit from ICTs while the desperately poor may have little opportunity or motivation to use technology. Clearly identifying the target group -- or market segment -- of the poor is essential to offering products or services that are valuable to that particular group. Another member raised a point that GKD members from developing countries have discussed in the past: the fact that small enterprises and nonprofit organizations in developing countries often are very similar. Both are primarily motivated by an effort to generate a livelihood for those operating the organization. Both respond to their market: funding sources influence NGO's focus and activities in the same way the revenue sources affect businesses' decisions and actions. More than one participant added that some funding opportunities or potential revenue streams are worth rejecting if they compromise the company or NGO involved. One participant offered a succinct analysis, emphasizing that businesses can be efficient service providers and that there is a business case for bottom of the pyramid (BoP) investment. However, he added, social issues such as environmental protection and human rights are not always best served by the free Market, and the global economy is not always a level playing field. One list member neatly summarized much of the discussion when he stated, There are no single simple solutions for all, no vacuums where one actor can be single-handedly responsible for an outcome. Therefore, partnerships and dialogue between business, civil society, government, intergovernmental and UN institutions, seeking best practices, etc. will have to continue to be important. Some list members were uncomfortable with the idea that an NGO would profit from serving a population, and worried that the NGO's activities would be influenced more by profit than by service. Other list members countered this view, arguing that if NGOs can achieve sustainability through profits, and continue to offer services at reasonable rates, then profits are a valuable element in ensuring that the operations continue. Otherwise, the NGO might disappear and be replaced by a company that might charge a higher price for those services. **The Profit Motive** The discussion this week also focused on the role of the 'profit motive' and reflected the discrepancies and conflicting impacts that this powerful force can have on efforts to serve the poor. One participant captured the advantages that profit offers by describing it as a powerful feedback mechanism to those providing goods and services to the poor, a very convenient metric that indicates whether the goods or services are useful when compared to alternatives. If products and services do not offer value to a particular population, the provider will have difficulty making a profit from it. Others noted that the profit motive also encourages providers to offer products and services efficiently. Participants also argued that the profit motive may have negative impacts on the poor. Although the profit motive can be powerful, it may lead providers to ignore many communities because they are not perceived as profitable populations to serve. Furthermore, even if companies do aim to serve the poor, their drive to generate profit can lead to pricing that is unreasonable for bottom of pyramid populations. **Profits and Sustainability** There was a general consensus that profits are necessary for sustainability. Whether a project is founded through philanthropy or entrepreneurship, it needs resources to sustain itself. An initial grant might get a project off the ground, but it is essential to find resources to cover ongoing operations costs. As one participant noted, one year's operation costs can, in many cases, equal initial investment costs. Without profit, projects are forced to continually seek support from government, donors or other funders. If such
[GKD-DOTCOM] Welcome to Technology, Globalization and the Poor
The falling costs of communications, information...have contributed to globalization...Many poor people are benefiting from globalization. The challenge is to bring more of them into this process. Globalization, Growth and Poverty Contrary to the rosy picture presented by the World Bank, the evidence is overwhelming that this current globalization agenda is a scourge on the poor. The Unremarkable Record of Liberalized Trade Dear GKD Members, Welcome to the discussion on Technology, Globalization and the Poor. Globalization -- the integration of economies and societies worldwide -- and access to information and communications technology (ICT) are both expanding at breakneck speeds. Driven by the private sector, globalization and technology change have largely ignored the poor. Yet in a world where about one-fifth of the population lives on less than US$1 per day, fierce arguments rage about whether and how these dynamics should change. Can technology help make globalization work for the poor? Can the private sector use ICT to create, as CK Prahalad argues, sustainable win-win scenarios where the poor are actively engaged and, at the same time, the companies providing products and services to them are profitable? During the next four weeks, we will tackle these questions to examine: * How ICT can make it easier and more attractive for companies to tap into the huge market potential of the world's poor -- and the benefits and risks to all concerned: international and local companies, governments, communities, and the poor themselves * Opportunities that ICT and business approaches offer to reduce poverty and foster new productive partnerships and business options for the poor -- and the associated dangers of deepening inequality * Businesses' use of ICT to improve quality of life and reduce poverty worldwide, and what actions are needed from other stakeholders -- governments, NGOs, international development organizations, labor unions, etc. -- to make it happen As always, we seek concrete cases, field experience and specific, actionable recommendations that business in all sectors, donors, NGOs, governments, and individuals can adopt. Key messages from the discussion will be presented at the Eradicating Poverty Through Profits/Making Business Work for the Poor Conference, sponsored by WRI (San Francisco, December 12-14). In addition, a CD citing the cases, projects, experience, success stories, and recommendations presented by GKD members, along with summaries of the main discussion threads, will be provided to all registrants of the conference and widely circulated throughout the development community. We look forward to an exciting and informative interchange. Agenda Week 1: Can technology and a business approach make globalization work for the poor? Week 2: Is Profitability Essential for Sustainability? Week 3: How Can ICT Create New Business Partnerships? Week 4: Tomorrow's Solutions: What New Technologies and Business Models are On the Horizon? Additional information: The DOT-COM Alliance website provides information about this discussion and other projects using ICT to support development: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org The World Resources Institute's Eradicating Poverty Through Profits Conference website provides more information about the Conference: http://povertyprofit.wri.org The DOT-COM Archive of this discussion (as of October 25) is available at: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html The GKD database provides an easy way to search messages of this and other GKD discussions: http://www.GKDknowledge.org This discussion is sponsored by the DOT-COM Alliance and World Resources Institute. This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by USAID's dot-ORG Cooperative Agreement with AED, in partnership with World Resources Institute's Digital Dividend Project, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org and http://www.digitaldividend.org provide more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD-DOTCOM] Can Technology and a Business Approach Make Globalization Work for the Poor?
Poverty is not inevitable...Change for the better is within our grasp. John Browne, chief executive of the energy giant BP During the past few years, corporate investment in developing countries has increased markedly, both from multinational corporations (MNCs) and from large local companies -- the latter often investing to serve low-income communities. These firms are responding to relatively rapid economic growth rates in many developing countries and, for MNCs, reduction of legal limits on foreign investments. Companies offering ICT products and services have particularly active. This investment is hailed by many as a powerful lever in generating economic growth that will provide new jobs as well as valuable products and services. There are notable examples, such as Smart Communications' innovations with text-messaging in the Philippines, or ITC's e-choupal network bringing market information and higher crop prices to farmers, or Voxiva's health alert software that offers a low-cost solution to the widespread problem of monitoring health indices in rural areas. Yet others warn that corporate investment will exacerbate existing economic and digital divide disparities between rich and poor. They argue that corporations will target only the wealthy and ignore the needs of the poor. They fear that powerful international companies will put local companies out of business. Key questions: 1) What are the successful models of companies providing technology-based products/services that promote development and serve the poor, and doing so profitably? 2) Can large companies and entrepreneurs use ICT to serve poor communities in ways that cannot be done by NGOs, donors and governments? 3) Do multinational companies add any value that cannot be provided by local entrepreneurs? If so, what role does ICT play? 4) Can ICT products and services created for industrialized country contexts be modified to solve problems in underserved, poor and rural communities, especially the need for low-cost solutions? Who must do what to make it happen? 5) What new kinds of ICT tools are needed to serve poor and rural communities? How can we best encourage companies to create and invest in such tools and in the business models that can profitably deploy them? 6) Women often face special challenges in becoming ICT entrepreneurs (e.g., lack of capital, education, family responsibilities). What approaches can and should be used to support women entrepreneurs who want to create profitable businesses that offer ICT solutions to poor communities? This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by USAID's dot-ORG Cooperative Agreement with AED, in partnership with World Resources Institute's Digital Dividend Project, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org and http://www.digitaldividend.org provide more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD] ANN: Technology, Globalization and the Poor
Technology, Globalization and the Poor A GKD Focused Discussion October 25 - November 19, 2004 What is needed is a better approach...that involves sustainable win-win scenarios where the poor are actively engaged and, at the same time, the companies providing products and services to them are profitable. - CK Prahalad Dear GKD Members, Technology and globalization: GKD members have discussed these twin themes of the modern era. But where do the poor fit into the equation? To grapple with that question, we are pleased to announce that GKD will host a focused discussion on the theme of Technology, Globalization and the Poor (10/25/ - 11/19/04) This discussion focuses on the role of ICT in making globalization work for the poor. We will examine questions that cut across sectors and industries: Can ICT and a business approach create products and services that actually serve the poor? Does ICT open new ways for all businesses to understand and serve local markets in developing countries? Can ICT help entrepreneurs in poor countries enter the global marketplace more effectively? Who wins and who loses when businesses use ICT to penetrate the huge untapped market of the worldwide poor? The discussion leads up to the Eradicating Poverty Through Profits/Making Business Work for the Poor Conference, sponsored by World Resources Institute (San Francisco, December 12-14). Key messages from the discussion will be presented at the Conference. In addition, a CD-ROM citing the cases, projects, experience, success stories, and recommendations presented by discussion members, along with summaries of the main discussion threads, will be provided to all registrants of the conference and widely circulated throughout the development community. We seek concrete, specific cases, experience and recommendations that business in all sectors, donors, NGOs, and governments can adopt. We look forward to learning from GKD members' experience and information regarding: * Cases of companies in all sectors using ICT and a business approach to engage the poor in marketing, innovation and operations * Successful business models that use ICT to reduce poverty * Challenges for business attempting to serve the low-income market, and ways ICT can help them create successful products, business models, and metrics * Risks when international corporations engage in pro-poor business activities, and the use of ICT to address those risks * Opportunities and challenges in using ICT to offer the poor new business opportunities * Partnerships of government, communities, businesses, NGOs, and the poor to reduce poverty, and the role ICT can play in building those partnerships Agenda Week 1: Can Technology and a Business Approach Make Globalization Work for the Poor? (10/25 - 10/29) Week 2: Is Profitability Essential for Sustainability? (11/1 - 11/5) Week 3: How Can ICT Create New Business Partnerships? (11/8 - 11/12) Week 4: Tomorrow's Solutions: What New Technologies and Business Models are on the Horizon? (11/15 - 11/19) This discussion is sponsored by the USAID-funded DOT-COM Alliance and World Resources Institute's Digital Dividend Project. The regular GKD forum will continue after this focused discussion. ***WORLD WIDE WEB SITES FOR THE DISCUSSION*** The DOT-COM Alliance website provides information about this discussion and other projects using ICT to support development: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org http://www.dot-com-alliance.com/events/discussiongroup.htm The World Resources Eradicating Poverty Through Profits Conference website provides more information about the Conference: http://povertyprofit.wri.org/resources/virtual.html The DOT-COM Archive of this discussion (as of October 25) is available at: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html The GKD database provides an easy way to search messages of this and other GKD discussions: http://www.GKDknowledge.org ***FOR FURTHER INFORMATION*** For further information about the discussion, please contact: Janice Brodman [EMAIL PROTECTED] For further information about the DOT-COM Alliance, please contact: Barbara Fillip [EMAIL PROTECTED] For further information about World Resources Institute, please contact: Robert Katz [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD-DOTCOM] What is the Future for Cyber-Security?
The Internet is becoming integral to every area of our lives -- education, economics, health, politics. As Internet access reaches throughout the globe, its benefits are expanding...along with growing threats. Take VOIP. It promises to make cheap communications accessible worldwide...and simultaneously to open a new era of cyber-fraud and human rights violations. Perhaps the most disquieting threat comes from cyber-terrorism. Terrorists can use the Internet to coordinate deadly attacks in multiple countries or to cripple international e-commerce. International agencies, governments, businesses, and civil society must collaborate to avert these threats. Open source software provides both a metaphor and a concrete model of the benefits that accrue when everyone can contribute and benefit. Yet for all stakeholders to cooperate, they must rise above mutual suspicion and distrust. Encryption is a case in point. It can help prevent fraud and protect information about NGOs fighting international crimes such as trafficking in persons. Yet some governments fear that it will give criminals and terrorists the means to evade detection. Key questions: 1) Do we need to think and operate differently to prevent cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism in the future? Who needs to change what? Please be specific. 2) What is the responsibility of donors and NGOs who are helping expand Internet access? Should they always ensure secure networks? Should they demand a proper balance between security and privacy protection? 3) What new threats come from new technologies, e.g., cell phones that access the Web? What, specifically, must be done -- and by whom -- to address these threats? 4) Are there new technologies that can help meet the cyber-security threats? 5) What policies and strategies do you recommend developing countries adopt to take advantage of new technologies while preventing cyber-crime and terrorism? 6) Can open source software help build cyber-security? What must donors, businesses, governments and NGOs do to make it happen? 7) Where should we draw the line between development of legal and illegal encryption? 8) Growing collaboration between regulatory and security agencies helps fight cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism, but simultaneously poses threats to privacy and human rights. What is the best approach to maximizing the benefits and reducing the threats? This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] Cyber-Security, Policy and Cyber-Terrorism
Preventing cyber-terrorism demands an effective international legal infrastructure and strong national and cross-border law enforcement mechanisms. To build the infrastructure, countries must be able and willing to negotiate viable settlements. Yet, as criminal and terrorist organizations adeptly operate across borders, governments flounder in their attempts at cross-border collaboration. The problem deepens when they do not share borders. Worse yet, developing countries are often left out of these negotiations altogether. As governments grow more determined to fight cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism, new issues arise. Governments and citizens struggle to distinguish between legitimate anti-terrorism efforts and illegitimate invasion of privacy. Take international terrorist lists of US government agencies and Interpol, for example. Some consider them essential, while others question their fairness and accuracy. Long-standing suspicion and mistrust also hobbles collaboration between key players in cyber-security: developing countries and industrialized countries, businesses and civil society. Key questions: 1) How can international and regional organizations build effective international legal frameworks that address cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism? What role should civil society play? 2) How can we ensure that developing countries participate equitably in creating international legal frameworks? 3) Are there developing countries with model legal frameworks that foster global collaboration to thwart cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism? 4) What dangers arise in creating an international legal infrastructure to prevent cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism? What checks and balances are needed? 5) What is needed to build trust and collaboration between the private sector and civil society? Are there concrete examples of success stories? 6) What tools and techniques are effective and appropriate for developing countries, e.g., collective knowledge management linked to security measures? 7) What consequences do developing countries face if they -- or donor organizations -- ignore the threat of cyber-crime and cyber-terrorism? This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] Cyber-Security and Human Rights
Dear GKD Members, This week we would like to focus on the issue of protecting Cyber-Security while preserving human rights. ICTs make it increasingly easy to collect, store and transfer massive amounts of data virtually instantaneously. We often consider this power crucial to providing universal access to information and knowledge sharing. Yet, the benefits are not risk-free. Worldwide, there are growing concerns about misuse of this power in ways that infringe on personal privacy, data integrity and human rights. Take, by way of example: * Criminals can gain access to personal information (through keyboard loggers, for example), resulting in financial loss, and even personal identify theft. * Governments can use data against their own citizens. Rwanda is a case in point. The government wants to automate the work of the electoral commission, improving its functioning. Yet the data they want to gather includes how citizens vote in elections. This type of data gathering would clearly violate citizens' right to vote without fear of repercussions. * Encryption is a major source of controversy. Some argue people using the Internet have the right to encrypt their messages to ensure privacy. Others insist that the same encryption tools are dangerous, enabling criminals or terrorists to avoid detection. Key Questions: 1. What efforts do your projects take to protect data from misuse? 2. What solutions are effective for protecting information from human rights violations? 3. Are there cyber-security tools and techniques that are particularly important and appropriate for developing countries? 4. When gathering data, what kinds of dangers should be anticipated? What types of measures should be taken to protect individual privacy? 5. Who is responsible for taking what measures, especially when regulations are unclear? Donors? Government? NGOs? Businesses? Citizens? ISPs? 6. Where do we draw the line between individual rights and freedoms (e.g., to use encryption to protect privacy) and government responsibility to protect citizens (e.g., outlawing encryption)? 7. What concrete good practices have you observed, that we should publicize and utilize? This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] Welcome to the GKD-DOTCOM Discussion: Cyber-Security in International Development
Dear GKD Members, Welcome to the DOT-COM discussion on Cyber-Security in International Development. We use the term cyber-security to refer to securing both data and information systems. Cyber-crime refers to violations of cyber-security with criminal intent, be it for financial, political, or social gain. Cyber-security is everyone's business. Whether a casual computer user, a network administrator or a policy maker, we are all responsible for knowing as much as we can about protecting our data and information systems. The critical challenges we face in countering violations of cyber-security are: * The global nature of security threats - a cyber-criminal can perpetrate a crime in one country while operating from another country with a different legal framework. * The virtual nature of cyber-security - no physical intrusion needs to take place. Modern ICT networks make security much more complicated than in the past. * The processing power of computers - computers improve efficiency of most activities - including criminal behavior. A few people can do great harm using the multiplier effect of computer technology. Although cyber-security is a global issue, organizations, governments and individuals in developed countries often have a clear advantage in addressing such threats. They have easier access to information about new threats, as well as the means to counter them. They have more resources available to prevent security violations. In contrast, developing countries often lack the information and resources necessary to protect themselves. Many lack the infrastructure (both physical and legal) to prosecute cyber-crimes effectively, leaving their citizens vulnerable to fraud and exploitation. Worse yet, violations of cyber-security may be more damaging to developing countries. For example, if a country is perceived (rightly or wrongly) as a source of online fraud, all companies in that country will have difficulty doing business globally. Developing countries need more effective responses at every level: from the national government and legal policy, down to individual actions to protect personal data and equipment. Wherever awareness or information is limited, cyber-criminals tend to strike. We would like to focus this discussion on recommendations for positive, concrete actions needed from government, businesses, NGOs and individuals in order to enhance cyber-security. The Agenda: Week 1 - (9/20-9/24): Cyber-security and Human Rights Week 2 - (9/27-10/1): Cyber-security and E-commerce Week 3 - (10/4-10/8): Legal Infrastructure and Cyber-terrorism Week 4 - (10/11-10/15): New threats...and security measures...on the horizon The discussion builds on a session of the DOT-COM/InterAction ICT Speaker Series (September 16, 2004) entitled Cyber-security Issues in International Development Environments. More information on the session, and presentations by the speakers, can be found at the DOT-COM Alliance web site http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/events/cybersecurity.htm ***WORLD WIDE WEB SITES FOR THE DISCUSSION*** The DOT-COM Alliance website provides information about GKD's Cyber-Security discussion, the DOT-COM/Interaction Speaker Series, and other projects using ICT to support development: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/ The DOT-COM Archive of this discussion (as of September 20th) is available at: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html The GKD database provides an easy way to search messages of this and other GKD discussions: http://www.GKDknowledge.org *** FOR FURTHER INFORMATION *** For further information about the DOT-COM Discussions, please contact: Barbara Fillip, DOT-COM Secretariat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For further information about the GKD List, please contact: Janice Brodman, dot-ORG, [EMAIL PROTECTED] This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD] ANN: Cyber-Security and International Development
Dear GKD Members, List Members have often discussed the importance of cyber-security as a key element of using ICT for development. Cyber-Security is essential for developing countries to engage in e-commerce and actively join the global economy. It is crucial to providing reliable access and online services in education, health and other areas. It protects users from criminal online activity. Yet crucial questions arise in establishing cyber-security. How can we set up measures to secure financial transactions while preserving freedom of access? How do we provide law enforcement with information they need, while preventing government's use of information in ways that infringe on human rights? We ask GKD members to tackle these and other thorny questions as part of a four-week focus on Cyber-Security and International Development, beginning 20 September 2004. This focused discussion follows on a DOT-COM/InterAction Speaker Series session, Cyber-Security Issues in International Development Environments (16 September 2004) and is sponsored by the DOT-COM Alliance. The aim of the focused discussion is to: * Examine the impact of cyber-security on international development, e.g., economic growth, government services, opportunities for private citizens * Identify concrete policies, strategies, and tools that counter threats to cyber-security for developing countries * Share cases, success stories, failures, and lessons learned * Learn about partnerships that help meet the challenge of establishing cyber-security * Develop recommendations for governments, donors, businesses, and NGOs A White Paper citing the cases, projects, experiences, and recommendations presented by GKD members will be widely circulated throughout the development community. The discussion agenda will focus on four themes: * Week 1: Cyber-security and Human Rights (9/20 - 9/24) * Week 2: Cyber-security and E-commerce (9/27 - 10/1) * Week 3: Legal Infrastructure and Cyber-terrorism (10/4 - 10/8) * Week 4: New Threats...and Security Measures...On the Horizon (10/11 - 10/15) ***WORLD WIDE WEB SITES FOR THE DISCUSSION*** The DOT-COM Alliance website provides information about GKD's Cyber-Security discussion, the DOT-COM/Interaction Speaker Series, and other projects using ICT to support development: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/ The DOT-COM Archive of this discussion (as of September 20th) is available at: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html More information about the InterAction ICT Initiative can be obtained at: http://www.interaction.org/ict The GKD database provides an easy way to search messages of this and other GKD discussions: http://www.GKDknowledge.org For further information, please contact: Barbara Fillip [EMAIL PROTECTED] Brian King [EMAIL PROTECTED] Janice Brodman [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD] Resumption of Regular GKD List Discussion
Dear GKD Members, Today we resume the regular GKD discussion on various topics related to ICT for Development. We want to take this opportunity to thank our members for their extremely valuable comments, ideas, suggestions and cases during the focused DOT-COM discussion on Online Professional Development. Although we are resuming the open-ended discussion, we will continue to post messages related to the DOT-COM theme as well. We eagerly look forward to sharing more of your insights and experiences. Sincerely, GKD Moderators ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD-DOTCOM] What's On the Horizon for Professional Development?
Dear GKD Members, The future of technology is exciting: online face-to-face courses with simultaneous translation; virtual reality training offering real-world experience; tiny hand-held devices providing just-in-time job mentoring from top experts. It is easy to imagine inspiring possibilities. Yet how much of this will actually be available to professionals in developing countries? And is this where our training investments should go? This week we explore the cutting edge of technology for professional development and what it means for the future. Technology RD investment for developing countries is limited and many promising new technologies flounder for lack of support. At the same time, there is much hype about what new technologies can deliver. We need to understand where the technology trends are going, and assess them carefully in light of our concrete experience with the needs and resources of developing countries. KEY QUESTIONS: 1) What are the most innovative, cutting edge ICT-related practices currently used for professional development in developing countries? 2) Can technology innovations revolutionize professional training for developing countries? What is needed to make it happen? 3) What new technologies will significantly improve and expand professional development? What will it cost to develop these technologies -- and is it worth the cost? 4) What do cognitive and pedagogical sciences tell us about using these technologies effectively? 5) Where are the pitfalls in using these new ICTs in developing countries? 6) How do we want to be using ICTs 3 years from now? Where is the line between hype and reality? 7) How can GKD members be effective advocates for reaching these goals? We look forward to your insights regarding these questions, based on your concrete experience with professional development in developing countries. This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] How Do We Evaluate ICT-Enhanced Professional
Development? Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Precedence: bulk Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dear GKD Members, During last week's discussion we heard from members working in Peru, Uganda, Macedonia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines regarding the right resources to foster ICT-enhanced professional development. Many GKD members have raised the issue of evaluation and cost/benefit analysis. Some emphasize the importance and value of thorough evaluation, cost-benefit analyses, and quantitative measures of impact. As one member noted, Cost benefit analysis would help program planners to choose the most convenient path. Others argue that it is not appropriate to apply a quantitative measure to improved professional skills, better understanding, wider professional networks. Return-on-investment, they hold, is fine for businesses but has no place in education and training. Still others argue that evaluation must be done, but is rarely done well. For example one member stated, Statistics are not desegregated to show what the situation is in rural communities. Furthermore, they say, no one pays any attention to lessons learned so why bother? This week we would like to focus on evaluation -- the best approach for trying to determine the value ICT-enhanced professional development provides. KEY QUESTIONS: 1. Can we effectively measure the costs, benefits, and educational impact of ICT-enhanced professional development initiatives? If so, what is the best approach -- are there concrete examples? 2. Can we measure return on investment (ROI) for these initiatives? If so, how? 3. Are there methodologies for evaluating the soft side of training activities, e.g., the cultural, technological, or social appropriateness of different approaches? 4. Are there methodologies for measuring the cost of effectively bringing particular models to scale? 5. What is the best way to disseminate and promote the use of lessons learned? This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD] Launch of GKD-DOTCOM Discussion: Online Professional Development for Educators
Dear GKD Members, Welcome to the GKD-DOTCOM Discussion on Online Professional Development for Educators. This has been an important topic for GKD members over the years and we look forward to discussing it in depth during the next 4 weeks. The DOT-COM Alliance will develop a White Paper on the topic, drawing on the valuable input and recommendations of GKD members, and the paper will be widely circulated in the development and developing country communities. Cases described by GKD members will be cited in the paper. Agenda * What activities are offering online professional development for educators? (June 1-4) * What resources are required to have the desired impact and sustainability? (June 7-11) * What methodologies are useful for evaluating online professional development efforts? (June 14-18) * What's on the horizon...and where should we aim to go over the next 3 years? (June 21-25) ***Background: DOT-COM/InterAction Speaker Series*** This discussion is sponsored by the USAID-funded DOT-COM Alliance and InterAction, and hosted by GKD. It builds on a session of the DOT-COM/InterAction ICT Speaker Series (Washington, D.C. 6 May 2004). Session speakers included: * Stone Wiske, Harvard University, School of Education * Sapnesh Lalla, Vice President, NIIT Ltd. * Kelvin Wong, Center for International Development and Conflict Management, University of Maryland More information on the session, and copies of the speakers' presentations, can be found at the DOT-COM Alliance website: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/ The DOT-COM Archives of this discussion (as of June 1) are available on: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html and in the GKD database: http://www.GKDknowledge.org We look forward to an exciting and valuable exchange of experience and lessons learned on this important topic. This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD] ANN: Online Professional Training for Educators Discussion (June 1-25)
Dear GKD Members, The GKD-DOTCOM discussion on Connectivity (Oct-Nov 2003) was superb, and we are working to complete a White Paper based on the rich and complex interchange of experience and information. As soon as the White Paper is completed, we will submit it for comments to GKD. We would like to launch a second GKD-DOTCOM discussion, on a topic that has been important to GKD members: Using ICT to provide professional development to educators, and thereby expand and improve education in developing countries. The specific focus of the discussion is on practical approaches to providing effective online professional training for educators. A White Paper citing the cases, projects, experience, success stories, and recommendations presented by discussion members will be widely circulated throughout the development community. We hope that List members will share information on: * Strategies, tools, and partnerships for providing online professional development to educators * Case studies, projects, achievements, challenges and lessons learned * Success stories of efforts that have overcome challenges and effectively expanded access in low-resource environments The Agenda will focus on: * Learning about activities that provide online professional development for educators (June 1-4) * Identifying the technologies, tools, and infrastructure required to have the desired impact and sustainability (June 7-11) * Examining approaches for evaluating online professional development efforts (June 14-19) * Exploring what's on the horizonÂ’ and what online technologies and techniques will be available in 3 years (June 21-25) The discussion builds on a session of the DOT-COM/InterAction ICT Speaker Series (May 6, 2004). More information on the session, and presentations by the speakers, can be found at the DOT-COM Alliance website cited below. Although the focus of the discussion during these four weeks will be on Online Professional Development for Educators, the Moderators will also post messages of a more general nature (i.e. announcements, newsletters, cases) that are time-sensitive. To distinguish the Online Professional Development for Educators messages, their subject line will be labeled [GKD-DOTCOM], whereas the subject of the general GKD messages will continue to be labeled [GKD], as usual. ***WORLD WIDE WEB SITES FOR THE DISCUSSION*** The DOT-COM Alliance website provides information about this discussion, the DOT-COM/Interaction Speaker Series, and other projects using ICT to support development: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/speakerseries.htm For more information about this discussion series, please visit: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/discussiongroup.htm The DOT-COM Archive of this discussion (as of June 1) is available on: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html The GKD database provides an easy way to search messages of this and other GKD discussions: http://www.GKDknowledge.org **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION** For further information about: DOT-COM Discussions, please contact: Margie Joyce, DOT-COM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] GKD, please contact: Janice Brodman, dot-ORG, [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD-DOTCOM] The Role of the Private Sector
Many GKD members have argued that the for-profit private sector must play a key role in expanding access to underserved communities. The notion is appealing. The 2003 UNCTAD E-commerce and Development Report states that in 2002, 32% of the world's Internet users were in developing countries, and they are likely to constitute 50% of the total by 2007. That's a lot of demand to attract private sector investment. GKD members also seem to agree that a crucial element in extending access is an open, transparent policy environment that encourages competition. Yet relying on for-profit firms to extend access can be problematic, even in the right policy environment. If donors and government want to realize universal access, they may have to distort the market by providing venture capital, loans, training, and other types of support to encourage companies, including local entrepreneurs, to serve poor, rural, isolated communities. Otherwise, the market may never be large enough for companies to invest the time and money it takes to develop services/products for underserved communities. And non-profits that do provide solutions may be unable to generate sufficient revenues to continue without subsidies. KEY QUESTIONS: 1. What specific elements does a policy environment need in order to encourage the private sector to expand access to poor, isolated, underserved areas? Where do such policies exist? 2. What lessons have we learned about the risks and rewards of creating public-private partnerships to expand access to the underserved? Where have these lessons been applied, and where have they worked? 3. What are specific, unexploited opportunities for public-private partnerships to expand access to the underserved? Please provide examples where these opportunities can be exploited effectively. 4. What concrete lessons have we learned about stimulating/supporting local businesses to extend access to the underserved? Please be specific. Where have these lessons been applied effectively? 5. Within underserved communities, women often face special difficulties becoming ICT providers (e.g., lack of capital, education, competing demands for time). Are there particular approaches that can be used to support women entrepreneurs who want to offer ICT access to underserved communities, beyond the 'Grameen cell phone' model? This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] DOTCOM Discussion to Continue
Dear GKD Members, In response to the dynamism and value of your contributions, DOT-COM would like to continue the focused discussion on Access for Underserved Areas, through this week. Our deep thanks for the consistent, extremely high quality of your input. Best regards, GKD Moderators This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] What's on the Horizon?
Dear GKD Members, During the past three weeks, GKD members have discussed a number of intriguing technical solutions to bringing access to underserved communities, several of which have demonstrated promise in the field. Especially noteworthy are various forms of wireless connectivity, in combination with low-cost devices, e.g., the Solo. In addition GKD members have noted that some pilots have already proven robust -- scaling them up requires policy change, training, tailoring to local demand, and community involvement. This week we ask GKD members to consider the distant future in ICT terms -- the next 3 years. Connectivity for All. It has a nice ring, but success thus far has been limited. Funding is a central issue. Although there are some impressive donor programs, some high profile, multi-lateral donor commitments have fizzled. Perhaps, going forward, we should follow the 80-20 rule: Focus our limited resources on pursuing the few technologies and project approaches likely to have the widest impact. Forgo experimentation and defer efforts to meet the needs of those who will be most difficult to serve. KEY QUESTIONS: 1. What new high impact technologies are on the 3-year horizon? Who (exactly) needs to do what (concretely) to make those technologies widely available? 2. What's the most valuable area for technology development? Voice recognition? Cheap broadband delivery? Cheap hand-helds (under $50)? 3. Where should we focus our efforts during the coming 3 years? On ICT policy? Creating ICT projects with revenue-generation models that are quickly self-supporting? Demonstrating the value of ICT to developing country communities? 4. What levels of access should we be able to achieve by 2007 in each of the major under-served regions? Who (exactly) must do what (concretely) to attain them? 5. What funding models should we develop over the next 3 years? Projects with business plans that provide self-sustainability? Support from multilateral corporations? Venture capital funds for ICT and development? We look forward to your valuable input and insights! This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] How Much Bandwidth is Necessary?
Dear GKD Members, Last week GKD members provided a number of cases that described how connectivity is being established and used in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritania, Uganda, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Kenya, Panama, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Iraq, Philippines, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and aboriginal communities in Canada. A wide range of challenges have been encountered and several creative solutions have been proposed or are being tested. A crucial -- yet often unaddressed -- part of the access issue involves bandwidth, namely: How much bandwidth is necessary to deliver the kinds of information that is most needed to rural/remote areas. Some development experts have argued that broadband is essential to have a real impact on development, especially because we need not only delivery of information, but the capacity for interaction. Others contend that, although broadband is preferable, cost considerations preclude the use of broadband in low resource environments. In an era of limited development resources, very low-cost, slow speed, limited through-put communications are more sustainable and provide value to underserved communities. This week we put the issue to GKD members. Given the costs inherent in supplying high-bandwidth solutions to areas lacking in basic infrastructure, what do your experience and analysis suggest regarding the questions below? KEY QUESTIONS: 1. Are high-bandwidth connections necessary, or even important, to making a real impact on development? Or are the costs and problems inherent in establishing such connectivity too high -- and unsustainable -- for underserved areas? 2. Are there cases that demonstrate the value of low-bandwidth (e.g., store-and-forward email, packet radio) solutions to provide critical information access to under-served communities? How successful have they been? 3. Can information distribution centers (e.g., public access telecenters) offer a viable economic solution to a community's information needs, by, in effect, sharing a single high-bandwidth connection among many users, and thus spreading the cost? 4. Are there new protocols that make more efficient use of the bandwidth that is available? For example, what role can the newer wireless technologies (e.g. Wi-Fi, MESH networks) play in bringing sufficient connectivity to underserved communities? Are the costs and maintenance demands of these technologies sustainable? We look forward to hearing about some cases that have addressed these issues, and the insights learned regarding their success/failure. This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] Bringing Connectivity to Under-Served Communities
Dear GKD Members, A wide range of activities is bringing connectivity to under-served communities that lack infrastructure, electricity, and telephony. Many of these activities are sponsored by donor agencies. Many more are undertaken independently by communities, civil society organizations, and small enterprises. Yet it is difficult to get information about who is doing what, where; the outcomes and lessons learned. All too often, a few activities sponsored by donors gain recognition, while the vast majority of efforts, especially independent actions by individuals and organizations, labor anonymously regardless of their success and the value they can contribute to our understanding. This week we would like to focus on identifying activities that are bringing connectivity to under-served communities. We encourage members to provide concrete information about specific connectivity activities. Key questions: 1. What activities are endeavoring to bring connectivity to under-served communities? 2. What are the goals of these efforts? To what extent are the goals attained? 3. Who is being served by these connectivity efforts? Are the benefits widely distributed? Do some groups win and some lose in these connectivity efforts? 4. How do connectivity efforts seek to ensure that all groups benefit? 5. What are the costs and constraints these connectivity efforts face? This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD-DOTCOM] Welcome to the GKD-DOTCOM Discussion: Connectivity in Low Resource Environments
Dear GKD Members, Welcome to the GKD-DOTCOM Discussion on Connectivity in Low Resource Environments. We look forward to examining this important topic for the next 4 weeks. The DOT-COM Alliance will develop a white paper on the topic, drawing on the valuable input and recommendations of GKD members, and the paper will be widely circulated in the development and developing country communities. Cases described by GKD members will be cited in the paper. Agenda * Week 1: What activities are bringing connectivity to under-served communities? (10/27 - 10/31) * Week 2: How much bandwidth is necessary to have a real impact on development... and why? (11/3 - 11/7) * Week 3: What models can and should be brought to scale? (11/10 - 11/14) * Week 4: What's on the horizon...and where do we want to go over the next 3 years? (11/17 - 11/21) ***Background: DOT-COM/InterAction Speaker Series*** This discussion is sponsored by the USAID-funded DOT-COM Alliance, and InterAction, and hosted by GKD. It builds on a session of the DOT-COM/InterAction ICT Speaker Series (Washington, D.C. 24 September 2003). Session speakers included: * Dr. Michael L. Best, Research Scientist, MIT Media Laboratory Visiting Assistant Professor, Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. Dr Best described the three keys to connectivity: low-cost technologies (including terrestrial wireless), micro and small enterprises, and a supportive public policy. He outlined the current wireless technology available for local connectivity, described his experience in India using small and medium enterprises to deliver telephony and Internet access to local communities, and addressed the need for supportive public policy to allow these types of interventions to succeed. * Dipak Basu, Executive Director, NetHope Senior Manager, Customer Program Management Office, Cisco Systems. Mr. Basu described NetHope, the IT solutions consortium of international NGOs who work in the poorest regions of the world, and its experience in finding connectivity solutions for development professionals in such areas as Iraq and Afghanistan. * Robert Bortner, Project Co-ordinator, Greenstar South Africa, Greenstar Brasil. Mr. Bortner described the Greenstar model of using solar powered community centers in the most rural of areas to promote cultural and economic development. Through a combination of solar panels, VSATs, spread-spectrum digital radio, or conventional cellular connection, these centers provide their communities with electricity, water purification, communications, education, and support for telemedicine and local employment. * George Scharffenberger, Vice President, International, Voxiva. Mr. Scharffenberger described a number of best practices in approaching connectivity and ICT issues in developing countries. He reviewed the integrated technology model that Voxiva uses, including a combination of telephones and the Internet for data transmission of disease surveillance information. More information on the session, and copies of the speakers' presentations, can be found at the DOT-COM Alliance website: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/SS2_connectivity.htm The DOT-COM Archives of this discussion (as of October 27) are available on: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html and in the GKD database: http://www.GKDknowledge.org We look forward to an exciting and valuable exchange of experience and lessons learned on this important topic. This DOT-COM Discussion is funded by the dot-ORG USAID Cooperative Agreement, and hosted by GKD. http://www.dot-com-alliance.org provides more information. To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd For the GKD database, with past messages: http://www.GKDknowledge.org
[GKD] ANN: Connectivity in Low-Resource Environments
Dear GKD Members, GKD members have often discussed the difficulty and importance of providing connectivity to areas that have little or no power or telecommunications infrastructure. We are therefore pleased to announce that GKD will host a focused discussion on the theme of Connectivity in Low-Resource Environments, (10/27/03 - 11/21/03), sponsored by the DOT-COM Alliance and Interaction. The aim of the discussion is to identify practical approaches to bringing connectivity to poor, rural and other under-served communities. A White Paper citing the cases, projects, experience, success stories, and recommendations presented by GKD members will be widely circulated throughout the development community. We hope that List members will share information on: * Policies, strategies, tools, and partnerships to extend connectivity to under-served communities * Case studies, projects, achievements, challenges and lessons learned * Success stories of efforts that have overcome challenges and effectively expanded access in low-resource environments The Agenda will focus on: * Learning about activities that are bringing connectivity to under-served communities (Oct. 27 - Oct. 31) * Examining how much bandwidth is necessary to have an impact, and why (Nov. 3 - Nov. 7) * Identifying models that can and should be brought to scale (Nov. 10 - Nov. 14) * Exploring what's on the horizon...and where we want to go over the next 3 years (Nov. 17 - Nov. 21) The discussion builds on a session of the DOT-COM/InterAction ICT Speaker Series (September 24, 2003). More information on the session, and presentations by the speakers, can be found at the DOT-COM Alliance website cited below. Although the focus of the discussion during these four weeks will be on the Connectivity theme, the Moderators will also post messages of a more general nature (i.e. announcements, newsletters, cases) that are time-sensitive. To distinguish the Connectivity-theme messages, their subject line will be labeled [GKD-DOTCOM], whereas the subject of the general GKD messages will continue to be labeled [GKD], as usual. ***WORLD WIDE WEB SITES FOR THE DISCUSSION*** The DOT-COM Alliance website provides information about this discussion, the DOT-COM/Interaction Speaker Series, and other projects using ICT to support development: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/speakerseries.htm For more information about this discussion series, please visit: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/discussiongroup.htm The DOT-COM Archive of this discussion (as of October 27th) is available at: http://www.dot-com-alliance.org/archive.html More information about the InterAction ICT Initiative can be obtained at: http://www.interaction.org/ict The GKD database provides an easy way to search messages of this and other GKD discussions: http://www.GKDknowledge.org For further information about the discussion, please contact: Margie Joyce [EMAIL PROTECTED] Julie Fossler [EMAIL PROTECTED] Janice Brodman [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD] Launch of GKD Database
Dear GKD Members, Welcome back, as GKD launches our 7th year! We are very excited about the new, easily searchable GKD Database. This is a great resource, with invaluable ideas, cases, opinions, strategies and experiences that are difficult/impossible to obtain elsewhere -- and all from you, the GKD members! Get info on ICT and gender. ICT and health. ICT and business. And much, much more! TAKE A LOOK! Go to: http://www.GKDknowledge.org This is a unique resource for everyone interested in ICT for development. After using the database, please complete the survey that's on the website. You can search for messages in specific categories, geographic areas, and along other criteria. You can also search for messages containing specific words. You will find below a press release announcing this new information resource. We hope to see *your* survey of: www.GKDknowledge.org Thanks! Warm regards, GKD Moderators Online Global Community Offers Insights for Developing Countries NEWTON, MA: The wisdom of thousands of people around the world and their efforts to use information technologies (IT) in developing countries is now available and accessible on the Web. For the past six years, people have turned to an online forum, Global Knowledge for Development (GKD), created by Education Development Center, Inc., as a free, trusted, and moderated email discussion to learn from others' experience on how best to use IT to improve education, health and economic development. Now, these valuable discussions, including thousands of messages, are readily available and easy to find at www.GKDknowledge.org It's hard to find out what people are doing with IT in developing countries, says Janice Brodman of EDC. Many organizations spend enormous amounts of money trying to get that kind of information. On GKD, thousands of people from over 120 countries have been sharing information for free, for years. Everyone knows how valuable the information is, and with the new database, these messages are accessible. With support from infoDev, a program managed by the World Bank to help developing countries overcome obstacles to effective use of IT, EDC developed software that made it easy to code the GKD messages. It's often a lot more valuable for someone in Uganda, say, to get information from someone in the Philippines on what they're doing with computers, than from someone in New York or Paris, says Stuart Klein, one of the GKD moderators. Now that kind of experience and knowledge is permanently available to everyone. Here are some examples of the kind of help available from the new GKD resource: * Villages without electricity or phones learn how to get connected to the Internet. Fantsuam Foundation of Nigeria explains how they use mobile community telecentres to bring IT to poor, rural communities in Nigeria that lack electricity and telephones. * Entrepreurs can learn how to benefit from E-commerce and online training: A Peruvian company E-Connexions describes how it helps Peruvian businesses use e-commerce and get online training. * Schools in developing countries can access good computer hardware: World Computer Exchange (WCE), a US-based nonprofit organization, has had over 40 responses to one GKD message where they presented their used computers collected from US companies, outfitted with modern software, and shipped to schools in developing countries. * Volunteer Opportunities: GKD posts messages from the United Nations Volunteers organization, guiding interested volunteers towards opportunities in poor countries. * Learn about people's struggles with governments and international organizations: In the GKD controversies section, participants from China talk of their experience with government censorship. People from Mexico to Malaysia promote intellectual property rights that serve the poor. Many in developing countries turn to GKD as a primary tool to connect with the rest of the world. Email is their most economical source of information and they know they can trust the information on GKD. GKD has helped us network, says Dorothy Okello, President of The Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), who post their newsletter monthly on GKD. Through GKD we've been able to collaborate with other women's networks around the world, from Senegal to Romania. EDC hopes to continue building the GKD resource well into the future. We know from the thanks we receive how important this resource is to those in developing countries, says Brodman. GKD is testimony that if two heads are better than one, thousands of heads offer an unparalleled source of knowledge. *** Global Knowledge for Development (GKD) is an online forum where thousands of people around the world share knowledge and experience about the role of information technology in sustainable development. The GKD database provides a user-friendly resource of cases, guidelines, and
[GKD] Special Announcement: Launch of GKD Database
Dear GKD Members, Although GKD is still on vacation (until Sept. 15), we felt that List Members would want to know that the GKD Database has just been launched. This database is a compendium of all messages posted to the List since its beginning, in March 1997. It is a unique resource of all the invaluable ideas, cases, opinions, strategies and experiences that you, our List members, have contributed to date. All messages are now searchable by author, date, subject and/or category. Multiple search criteria are supported. In addition, the entire database is now full-text indexed, so that any particular phrase or word can be searched on. We hope that members will help spread the word about this new 'knowledge base' for development. Please visit the site http://www.GKDknowledge.org and let us know what you think by taking the brief survey; this will help us continue to improve the database in the future. You will find below a press release announcing this new information resource. Sincerely, the GKD Moderators Online Global Community Offers Insights for Developing Countries NEWTON, MA: The wisdom of thousands of people around the world and their efforts to use information technologies (IT) in developing countries is now available and accessible on the Web. For the past six years, people have turned to an online forum, Global Knowledge for Development (GKD), created by Education Development Center, Inc., as a free, trusted, and moderated email discussion to learn from others' experience on how best to use IT to improve education, health and economic development. Now, these valuable discussions, including thousands of messages, are readily available and easy to find at www.GKDknowledge.org It's hard to find out what people are doing with IT in developing countries, says Janice Brodman of EDC. Many organizations spend enormous amounts of money trying to get that kind of information. On GKD, thousands of people from over 120 countries have been sharing information for free, for years. Everyone knows how valuable the information is, and with the new database, these messages are accessible. With support from infoDev, a program managed by the World Bank to help developing countries overcome obstacles to effective use of IT, EDC developed software that made it easy to code the GKD messages. It's often a lot more valuable for someone in Uganda, say, to get information from someone in the Philippines on what they're doing with computers, than from someone in New York or Paris, says Stuart Klein, one of the GKD moderators. Now that kind of experience and knowledge is permanently available to everyone. Here are some examples of the kind of help available from the new GKD resource: * Villages without electricity or phones learn how to get connected to the Internet. Fantsuam Foundation of Nigeria explains how they use mobile community telecentres to bring IT to poor, rural communities in Nigeria that lack electricity and telephones. * Entrepreurs can learn how to benefit from E-commerce and online training: A Peruvian company E-Connexions describes how it helps Peruvian businesses use e-commerce and get online training. * Schools in developing countries can access good computer hardware: World Computer Exchange (WCE), a US-based nonprofit organization, has had over 40 responses to one GKD message where they presented their used computers collected from US companies, outfitted with modern software, and shipped to schools in developing countries. * Volunteer Opportunities: GKD posts messages from the United Nations Volunteers organization, guiding interested volunteers towards opportunities in poor countries. * Learn about people's struggles with governments and international organizations: In the GKD controversies section, participants from China talk of their experience with government censorship. People from Mexico to Malaysia promote intellectual property rights that serve the poor. Many in developing countries turn to GKD as a primary tool to connect with the rest of the world. Email is their most economical source of information and they know they can trust the information on GKD. GKD has helped us network, says Dorothy Okello, President of The Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), who post their newsletter monthly on GKD. Through GKD we've been able to collaborate with other women's networks around the world, from Senegal to Romania. EDC hopes to continue building the GKD resource well into the future. We know from the thanks we receive how important this resource is to those in developing countries, says Brodman. GKD is testimony that if two heads are better than one, thousands of heads offer an unparalleled source of knowledge. *** Global Knowledge for Development (GKD) is an online forum where thousands of people around the world share knowledge and experience about the role of information technology in
[GKD] GKD List Resumes
Dear GKD Members, Welcome back to the GKD List Discussion! We hope that everyone had an enjoyable vacation (and for those List members who were working, that they had a productive couple of months). During the List hiatus, we received many submissions by our members. These will take some time to sort through, so please be patient. Your message will be posted during the next several days, assuming it is still timely. We look forward to continuing the lively debate and valuable exchange of experience and knowledge, which have characterized the List over the last several years. Thank you all for your active participation. Sincerely, GKD Moderators ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD] Reminder: GKD List on Break
Dear GKD Members, This is a reminder that today will be the last day of posting before the GKD List takes a short break. The List will resume in mid-September. Members are welcome to submit messages during the break, but any messages received will be posted after GKD returns. We wish all our Members an enjoyable/productive month, and look forward to resuming the discussion in September. Sincerely, the GKD Moderators ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/
[GKD] GKD Will Not Be Moderated Today
Dear GKD Members, Our heartfelt prayers go out to all those who died or were injured in the terrorist attacks that occurred in the US today, and to their families, loved ones and fellow citizens. GKD will not be moderated today, but will resume tomorrow. Sincerely, The GKD Moderators ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.globalknowledge.org
[GKD] Welcome Back to the GKD Discussion!
Dear GKD Members, Welcome back to the GKD List! We hope you all had an enjoyable summer. We look forward to resuming our vibrant GKD discussion, and hearing from you regarding your experiences using ICTs for Sustainable Development. GKD membership continues to grow (currently 2500+ members in over 100 countries). We welcome suggestions for particular themes for discussion as well as your ideas for making GKD an increasingly valuable resource. We will soon begin establishing a database of the GKD archives. We will send you proposed categories for the database, which will facilitate searching the archives, and will welcome your input. Many thanks for your valuable contributions to GKD. Warm regards, The GKD Moderators ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.globalknowledge.org
[GKD] GKD on vacation in August
Dear GKD Members, We would like to extend our very deep thanks to the members who sent us messages describing the value GKD provides in their efforts to use ICT for sustainable development. Your words have been both extremely heartening and helpful. We also greatly appreciate the kind words members have offered to the GKD moderators. GKD represents that very best of high quality online collaboration, substantive knowledge exchange, and valuable policy and program discussions. The success and value of GKD ultimately depends on the contributions of the GKD members, who bring a sophisticated, thoughtful, and experienced perspective to each topic under discussion. The fact that GKD has emerged as *the* source of knowledge on the use of ICT for development is recognition of every GKD member who has made a contribution to the four-and-a-half year discussion. We also want to emphasise the essential role that members of the GKP -- UNDP, the World Bank and UNESCO -- have played in supporting GKD. Without the commitment of individuals within these organisations, GKD could not have survived for these many years. They have provided not only financial support, but also dedication to GKD's open and free exchange, and the high quality of substantive discussion. We are extremely grateful for their support and their efforts, which have helped to make GKD a trusted source of information and open dialogue. Tomorrow GKD goes on vacation for the month of August. We are hopeful that during this period we will identify support for GKD's continuation into the future. Again, we wish to express our profound thanks to the GKD members. To those who are going on holiday, we wish you a wonderful, relaxing month. To those who are not, we hope you have a productive month. Members are welcome to send message during August that they wish to be posted as of 7 September, when GKD resumes. With warmest regards and thanks, GKD Moderators ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.globalknowledge.org
[GKD] GKD seeks your input
Dear GKD Members, Due to the volume of messages we have received during the past week, the GKD Moderators will extend GKD through Tuesday, July 31. Thus, GKD will be on vacation from 1 August - 7 September 2001. During August, we will be seeking sources of support to continue GKD. As we do so, it is important to understand whether and how GKD has contributed to your efforts to use ICT for development. We will be very grateful if you would kindly send a brief message responding to the question: * Has GKD provided useful information in your efforts to use ICT for development? Please explain. Please send your message to the Moderators [EMAIL PROTECTED] or to [EMAIL PROTECTED]. Again, our deep thanks to all GKD members for your generous and valuable contributions in building this virtual community. We hope to hear from you! With warm regards, GKD Moderators ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.globalknowledge.org
[GKD] Markle/HP Recommendation to the DOT Force
Dear GKD Members, As you may know, the US nongovernmental members of the DOT Force are Markle Foundation and Hewlett/Packard (nonprofit and for-profit members, respectively). Markle has been holding an online consultation (Digopp) for US NGOs to feed into the DOT Force report. Drawing from that and other consultation channels, Markle and H/P have developed a recommendation for the DOT Force report, for which they are seeking input. Given GKD members' extensive experience with ICTs and development, it would be very valuable for them to get your feedback on the recommendation. The recommendation responds to the interest shown by DOT Force members in facilitating collaboration among countries on national policies and other local strategies that could accelerate the use of ICT for development. The idea is that the G8 would establish an "exchange" where developing countries could broadcast their requests to a wide selection of organizations capable of providing e-readiness assessments, strategic advice, and ongoing support. Advice might range from helping formulate overall national ICT strategies to more focused, tactical steps aimed at breaking bottlenecks to progress. Mechanisms could vary from on-the-ground assessments to "virtual policy centers", that could provide e-mentoring, case studies, discussion groups, virtual help desks and on-line workshops. KEY QUESTIONS 1. Would the approach described above be a viable, productive way for the G8 and other donors to help developing countries conduct assessments of their ICT policy environments, and implement programs to foster effective use of ICTs for sustainable development? 2. What would be needed to encourage local buy-in, and development of local capacity, necessary for formulating and implementing national integrated strategies or other results from that type of assistance? 3. Are there certain principles that such an "exchange" could provide to guide the formation of appropriate policy environments? If so, what are the most important principles? 4. Based on your experience, does it appear viable and useful for such an "exchange" to attempt to identify "key success factors" that should be incorporated into a national ICT strategy? We are very eager to hear your views, drawn from your experience in the field. Many thanks and warm regards, GKD Moderators ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: http://www.globalknowledge.org
