"This book is a review of 56 projects funded by the Pan-Asia ICT R&D Grants Programme for Asia-Pacific from 2002-2005. The aim of this book is to examine trends within these particular information and communications technology (ICT) projects in order to determine factors for success, and, common cha
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llenges. The underlying goal is to understand which projects have a lasting impact and can be replicated on a larger scale [...] In general, the review and analysis show that projects of particular value are those that increase access to information, improve efficiency, and support participation in civil society and governance initiatives. A key factor of success is projects that embrace participation and include a consultative process in their design, planning and implementation phases. However, the research showed that building partnerships and reaching common understandings throughout the planning of these initiatives was a complex and challenging undertaking. The importance of dissemination and marketing of project results is a common thread throughout each of the projects in this book. Some projects with successfully completed research objectives could not progress further without substantial promotional efforts. The analysis in this book also points to a range of strategies in which projects can be expanded on a larger scale. For example, project models can grow by moving to new locations thereby gaining momentum elsewhere." (Foreword)
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"In 2006 IICD celebrates its 10th anniversary of working with Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for development: ten very full years of working on people, ICT and development. And if one thing has become clear, it is that while ICT for develop ment forms the central theme in our work
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, the people are the key to our successes. Ultimately, our work is really all about people: their motivations, interests, capacities, achievements and difficulties. This booklet will demon strate what ICT can mean for our end-users, and cele brates how, over its first ten years, IICD has evolved to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities in this field." (Foreword)
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"During the last decade, development partners around the globe have gained rich experience and knowledge about the application of ICT for poverty reduction and its value for reaching the Millennium Development Goals and the goals of Poverty Reduction Strategies. But scaling up the results of success
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ful projects into programmes and policies that lead directly to poverty reduction on a country-wide scale is still a challenge. Lessons learned from experience so far can be summarised around the following themes: Prioritising poverty reduction; creating an enabling ICT policy environment; appropriate technology choices; local content development and the role of the media; mobilisation of financial resources and the role of microcredit." (Page 3)
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"OECD-DAC’s previous efforts of information collection exercises had already shown that it is difficult, if not impossible, to come up with an overall figure of the investment DAC members have made in the field of ICT for development. The recent attempt has not proved different from the previous o
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nes. Its summary outcome on DAC members’ ICT4D programmes and expenditures is included in Annex 2 and detailed information in Annex 3. Because the financial data are not comprehensive and compatible, the aggregate figure of financing cannot be calculated. However, some reported figures (including some non-ODA) should be highlighted:
• Canada estimates a minimum expenditure of US$ 33 million per annum.
• European Commission has € 250 million commitment of multi-year ICT-specific programmes in addition to € 110 million from the European Development Fund and € 750 million from the European Investment Bank (1999-2003).
• France committed about € 40 million (2002-2005) to global programmes over and from above its country programmes and other facilities.
• Germany at present supports ICT applications with an amount of approximately € 180 million.
• Japan launched its Comprehensive Co-operation Package for bridging the digital divide which consists of non-ODA and ODA funding with a total of US$ 15 billion over 5 years (2000-2005).
• Sweden spent approximately US$ 18 million in 2003.
• The United Kingdom committed ICT-specific programmes and projects, amounting to approximately a total of US$ 83 million.
• The United States estimates its spending of ICT for development at more than US$ 200 million in 2003, and through leveraged or matching outside resources a further US$ 240 million was mobilised." (Page 5)
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"This study outlines a strategy for information and communication technology (ICT) development in Sub-Saharan Africa that will further the reform agenda to facilitate deployment of ICT infrastructure, and encourage the development community to support African governments in this regard. With a revit
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alized approach to ICT sector development in Sub-Saharan Africa, the World Bank Group is poised to support further reform of the telecommunications sectors in the region. The strategy builds on the earlier reform agenda in the sector by leveraging the achievements to date of Sub-Saharan African countries to advance the essential goal of increasing the continent’s connectivity.
In its renewed efforts, the World Bank will emphasize developing and enhancing the capacity of Africa’s ICT institutions—including regulators, ministries, and regional bodies—to lead the development of an interconnected region and to implement sustainable regional strategies for integration and knowledge sharing. Of particular concern is the ability to bring rural areas into the national, regional, and global economies, thus creating new opportunities for the world’s poorest citizens." (Back cover)
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"The Sourcebook highlights the key and fundamental ICT ofr Development (ICT4D) issues by emphasising the importance of ICT4D policies, the development of national ICT agendas, the application of ICTs in specific sectors, and the role of government and members of parliament in the process of implemen
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ting ICT4D in their respective countries. Examples from the Asia-Pacific region are provided to demonstrate how different stakeholders have successfully applied ICTs to bridge the digital divide with concrete socio-economic benefits. The Sourcebook also seeks to provide and equip parliamentarians and other decision-makers in government with key skills required to evaluate and monitor ICT initiatives within their respective nations with emphasis on the importance of analysing the objectives of ICT4D programmes, determining appropriate ICT components, empowering and encouraging stakeholder participation, and evaluating the eventual outcome of ICT4D initiatives." (Back cover)
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