"This study presents preliminary findings of the mounting efforts to develop systematic evaluation frameworks for ICT for Development programs. The evidence from these findings shows that there is increasing interest for understanding the impacts that ICT initiatives are having in realizing socioeco
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nomic change. Efforts from diverse organizations -- academia, foundations, international research institutes, development organizations and practitioners in the field -- are generating valuable information that piece by piece will better inform not only future investments in the field, but most importantly, how these investments are making a difference in the lives of poor and underserved communities. This study presents preliminary findings of different approaches used to evaluate programs in the following areas: 1) E-government; 2) E-education; and 3) ICT and Civil Society. An additional set of evaluation frameworks for Telecenters, E-health, Gender, Poverty Reduction and Small and Medium Enterprises are included in the Annexes for reference." (Abstract)
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"There are five elements of USAID’s strategic approach to ICT for development: Policy Reform: Getting telecommunications policy right is the foundation for growth in the sector and for the affordable spread of ICT applications. Access: Connecting with those at the end of the “last mile,” econo
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mically and geographically, is essential for expanding access to the benefits of ICT applications to those of greatest concern to USAID. Capacity Building: Building the capability of professionals and the capacity of institutions leads to broader and more targeted use of these applications. Applications: Innovations in how to apply ICTs to benefit users can speed development. Partnerships: Implementing all these strategic elements depends on collaboration with partners to ensure the needed technical and financial resources." (Executive summary, page 1)
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"This consultancy report is based on interviews with the technical teams of six organizations in Ecuador. These organizations are very different in nature, target populations and topics of dedication. However, they share the common denominator of using ICT applications to carry out activities for ac
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hieving their objectives. Such denominator responds to the interest of HIVOS, and this is the reason for choosing them as the objective organizations for the evaluation of HIVOS policy and program 'Access for all: equal opportunities in cyberspace'. By using an interview guide, all organizations were visited for about half a day. In most cases, a brief presentation of the project initiated the interview and members of the technical team of each organization interacted with the consultant. In some cases, additional written information was made available, but the brief description of each case and the answer to the guide questions are the interpretation of the consultant. It is important to point out that the material made available on the organizations and HIVOS contribution to them through its program was rather limited. For this reason it was often necessary to talk about the HIVOS involvement in each organization during the interview. This is acknowledged in the description of some of the organizations, but the intention is to provide a better context in which each case can be analyzed." (Introduction)
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"The concept of multi-stakeholder partnership (MSP) as an instrument for achieving development goals is sound, particularly when stakeholders with unique complementary strengths or core competencies add value to development efforts and pool their resources and assets in solving problems. But while m
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any laud the virtues of MSPs, most are struggling to make them work. The central challenge seems to revolve around the nurturing of a working relationship based on trust, mutual respect, open communication, and understanding among stakeholders about each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Stakeholders from each sector bring their own organisational mandates, interests, competencies and weaknesses to partnerships. Without open acknowledgement of these factors, and without processes in place to facilitate negotiations among stakeholders for optimal outcomes, effective MSPs will not emerge [...] Knowledge about MSPs as reflected in the contents of this publication is not perfect. It is meant to trigger debate and to serve as an open invitation for all stakeholders with MSP experiences in the area of ICT4D to share their perspectives and knowledge on the subject. What the GKP would like to obtain is a thorough and comprehensive understanding of how MSPs work and can be made to work effectively – knowledge which we ultimately intend to share with the rest of the world. The GKP is the world’s first MSP operating at the global level in the area of ICT for Development. It precedes the G8 Digital Opportunities Task Force (DOT Force) and the Digital Opportunities Initiative (DOI)." (Pages iii-iv)
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"The Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) Program Area is one of the three (3) principal program lines at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The programming includes elements all of which are at or near their mid-point of current tenure. Within the Co
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rporate Strategic Program Framework, the ICT4D Program Area is to principally address issues relating to connectivity and information economy in the developing world. Subsequent research themes approved by the Board of Governors include poverty reduction, people development, networks, learning and development and partnerships. The issue of gender is also a cross-cutting theme within the Program Area. The report which follows describes how the program elements are performing, the nature of their activities and what new undertakings have been generated. As well, the report addresses the complex, but crucial, objective of Capacity Building. A vision of what steps lie ahead for this programming at IDRC is also offered." (Executive summary, page 5)
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"This study sets out, for DFID staff, the fundamental principles underlying a proposed approach to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and development, and draws from those principles a set of recommendations for DFID's priorities in this area. For the purposes of this study, ICTs are
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defined as technologies that facilitate communication and the processing and transmission of information by electronic means. This definition encompasses the full range of ICTs, from radio and television to telephones (fixed and mobile), computers and the Internet. … The study concludes that access to ICTs should not be seen as an end in itself; the measure of success remains progress towards reaching the International Development Targets, rather than the spread of technology or bridging the digital divide. However, addressing the information and communication needs of the poor and creating information rich societies is an essential part of efforts to tackle poverty. Properly deployed, ICTs have enormous potential as tools to increase information flows and empower poor people. DFID and other development partners should work closely with developing countries to maximise the contribution of the full range of ICTs to achieving the International Development Targets." (Summary, page 4)
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"The overall objective of this study was to provide a starting point for the involvement of development assistance in the promotion of ICTs for development. In the form of country studies we first tried to give insights into the ICT sectors along with stakeholders’ and other ICT-related activities
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in the selected countries (Peru, Vietnam, Lao P.D.R, Uganda and Tanzania). Based on this assessment, strengths and weaknesses were named and starting points for potential German involvement identified. The following section should point at some general lessons learnt from all countries and, with due caution, sum up the activities and discussions on the German donors’ side, as they emerged in the countries themselves or in discussions while this study was conducted." (Synopsis, page 67)
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"Die deutsche EZ betrachtet Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien als wirksame Instrumente in der Umsetzung der entwicklungspolitischen Leitlinien, der Sektor- und Länderkonzepte. IKT stellen keine autonomen Projektziele dar, sondern sind Mittel (Tools), diese zu erreichen. Die IKT-Dienstlei
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stungen sind nachfrage- und nutzerorientiert einzusetzen. Grundsätzlich ist der Auf- und Ausbau der technischen Infrastruktur nicht Aufgabe der Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, sondern hat auf kommerzieller Basis zu erfolgen. In diesem Rahmen können die bekannten Instrumentarien greifen (Förderung der Klein- und Mittelindustrie, Exportförderung, PPP etc.). Ist der politische Wille in einem Land oder einer Region vorhanden, unterversorgte ländliche Räume zu erschließen, dann kann die deutsche Seite allenfalls „intelligente Konzepte“ zur Lösung des Problems der „Connectivity“ anbieten, die auch unter wirtschaftlichen Gesichtspunkten praktikabel sind. Die Massenmedien Presse, Hörfunk und Fernsehen verbinden ihre spezifischen Dienstleistungen in zunehmendem Maße mit dem Internet. Gleichzeitig verkoppeln sich die internen und externen (nach innen und nach außen gerichteten) Kommunikationsaufgaben von Organisationen und Interessensgruppen. In allen Vorhaben der EZ müssen daher integrierte Kommunikationsstrategien selbstverständlich sein. Im Zentrum der TZ steht die Generierung, Erschließung, Vermittlung und der Austausch von Wissen. Dazu bedient sie sich der jeweils effizientesten Technologien, fördert gezielt „Competence Networking“, ermöglicht Kooperation und läßt Synergien entstehen." (Schlussfolgerungen, Seite 16)
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"This paper isn’t a “traditional” policypaper, but a policy and action programme. It describes both the context and the general policy outline for Hivos (chapter 1-4) and concrete targets and strategies (chapter 5-7). These targets are formulated for four years; the year 2000 is a starting yea
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r. Hivos.com is the responsible desk for the execution of the programme. Hivos.com is for the time being the structural continuation of the “Hivos into Cyberspace 2000” project. During the period 2000-2004 ICT will be considered a policy priority, because of its relevance for Hivos. Besides, ICT is of crosscutting importance for all sectors and regions Hivos works in. For that reason ICT will be “mainstreamed” – integrated - as much as possible within the regular programme." (Preface)
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"This book reports on an international research program investigating the impact of information on development. It presents a series of case studies and essays that describe practical, operational experience with methodologies to assess the impact of information. Amongst many issues, authors examine
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sampling and interview techniques, questionnaire design, survey instruments, data definitions, and approaches to identifying different user communities. The book will be of use to scholars, researchers, student, and practitioners in information sciences and development studies." (Publisher description)
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"Sept Etats d'Afrique noire ont eu recours à l'information, entre 1963 et 1968, pour réformer la comptabilité publique — Les ordinateurs sont appelés à rendre des services appréciables dans la politique de développement des pays neufs." (Jean-Marie Van Bol, Abdelfattah Fakhfakh: The use of
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mass media in the developing countries. Brussels: CIDESA, 1971 Nr. 2329, topic code 09)
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