"In this chapter we have offered an interpretation of the first twenty years of mobile telephony in marginal zones in Africa. With case-studies from central Mali, anglophone Cameroon and south-east Angola, we focused on the changes in both communication and mobility patterns, specifically in connect
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ion with marginality and social hierarchies. We started the chapter with a discussion of the concepts of marginality and mobility. The two next sections offered both positive evaluations of mobile telephony and more balanced or even negative views. Our subsequent discussion of social hierarchies made it clear that the mobile phone has indeed offered possibilities for marginalised people in Africa. Yet at the same time, social hierarchies have been reinforced through the new means of communication, and in some cases even deepened. We then showed that the changes in the realm of mobility have not overcome the patterns of inequality. Social hierarchies may even be exported into new contexts, and the possibilities therefore have not increased." (Conclusion, page 237)
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"The most important messages on the roles technologies can play in enabling citizen voice and accountable and responsive governance are: 1. Not all voices can be expressed via technologies. 2. Technologies can play decisive roles in improving services where the problem is a lack of planning data or
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user feedback. 3. Common design flaws in tech-for-governance initiatives often limit their effectiveness or their governance outcomes. 4. Transparency, information or open data are not sufficient to generate accountability. 5. Technologies can support social mobilisation and collective action by connecting citizens. 6. Technologies can create new spaces for engagement between citizen and state. 7. Technologies can help to empower citizens and strengthen their agency for engagement. 8. The kinds of democratic deliberation needed to challenge a systemic lack of accountability are rarely well supported by technologies. 9. Technologies alone don’t foster the trusting relationships needed between governments and citizens, and within each group of actors. 10. The capacities needed to transform governance relationships are developed offline and in social and political processes, rather than by technologies." (Conclusions, page 24)
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"Volume 2 examines the setting, operations, and effects of community telecentres. It describes the telecentre experiences of a variety of local and often rural communities, exploring the management structures and mechanisms that have been established to support these telecentres. The book provides p
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rofiles of telecentre usage and discusses the potential and challenges of setting up and maintaining community telecentres in the context of poor information infrastructure and limited human capacity. It will be useful for researchers, policy- and decision-makers, and development practitioners and professionals with interests or active programs in the area of "ICT for development," particularly those with a focus on universal access and universal-service or public-access centres. It will also be a very useful reference tool for scholars, students, and academics." (Publisher description)
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"Revolutionary information and communication technologies are contributing to dramatic changes in the competitiveness of global and local markets and in the way people conduct their business and everyday lives. The potential benefits and risks these changes present for developing countries and trans
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itional economies are enormous. This comprehensive, authoritative reference book examines the ways in which these powerful technologies are being harnessed to development goals, thus helping to reduce the risk of exclusion and create new opportunities for developing countries. The report emphasizes the urgency of developing new social and technological infrastructures so as to ensure that new technologies are used effectively. It also offers outlines and practical steps intended to guide stake-holders interested in shaping their future innovative knowledge societies." (Publisher description)
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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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