"It is widely acknowledged that a livelihoods approach provides a useful, logically consistent framework for thinking through the complex issues influencing the lives of the poor. In particular it draws attention to ways in which policies, institutions and decision-making processes influence resourc
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e access and ownership, and determine strategic livelihood options available to poor households. Information and communication systems are crucial in this regard, both in generating information required by the rural poor to make decisions on livelihood strategies, and in generating information required by institutions responsible for making decisions about policies and processes that affect those strategies. In each case, it is only through improved information that individuals and institutions can make informed choices about the opportunities and constraints associated with agriculture-based strategies. However, improved information alone is not sufficient for improved decision-making. Decision-making is a political process and promoting multi-stakeholder participation in decision-making processes is a key concern. Furthermore, different stakeholder groups each have specific information needs and delivery preferences. Highly differentiated information needs assessment is essential in order to effectively support decision-making at different levels. It is evident that effective promotion of poverty reduction and food security requires changes in institutions and attitudes, knowledge and information levels, processes and skills. Improved understanding of the capacity of decision-makers at different levels to make use of the information provided is key for the identification of appropriate systems and institutions for the delivery of relevant information. Enhancing the quality and quantity of information also relies on attention to the flow of information, such as the means of communication, format and content. Information can potentially have a catalytic role but much depends on its reliability and relevance to the needs of particular user groups. There is a necessary trade-off between the level of technical detail involved in information collection and analysis, and the practical usefulness of that information. Standardisation of techniques of information collection, storage and presentation is important, both to improve efficiency in information handling within agencies and also to ensure that information can be used externally by other agencies, thereby facilitating greater cross-sectoral communication and coordination. Equally important is developing effective means of prioritising information needs at different levels. Improved information can enable people to better defend their interests and articulate their needs; it increases their bargaining power and ability to influence decision-making processes which affect them. Transparency is equally important if information is to empower people to make better decisions. Improved communication systems can enable individuals to organise as groups and use information to hold institutions and authorities accountable." (Executive summary, page vi)
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"This cross-country study compiles data and calculates ICT Development Indices for the following: connectivity (physical infrastructure for ICTs, in penetration rates of Internet hosts, PCs, telephone mainlines and mobile phones per capita); wider access to ICTs (literacy, GDP per capita and cost of
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local calls, as well as actual number of Internet users); usage of ICTs (incoming and outgoing telecom traffic, as an alternative to Internet data traffic flows in the absence of publicly available statistics on these); and policy environment (a wider policy framework conducive to the adoption and absorption of ICTs, which can be evaluated in terms of the presence of a domestic Internet exchange, as well as competition in the local loop, domestic long-distance and ISP markets). This study analyses country and regional rankings based on these index measurements, and reviews results over time to identify interesting trends. It also seeks to evaluate the extent and evolution of the digital divide, using basic measures of hardware equipment and numbers of Internet users in each country, to determine how the digital divide is evolving over time." (Preface)
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"In 1994 the government established a Telecommunications Development Fund, financed by the national budget, to catalyze additional private investment in payphone service in rural and urban areas with low income and low telephone density. The Fund has been very successful. Between 1995 and 2000 it su
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pported the provision of payphone service to more than 6,000 rural localities with about 2.2 million inhabitants, thereby reducing the proportion of Chile's population living in places without access to basic voice communication from 15 percent in 1994 to 1 percent in 2002. In addition, some 25,000 individual rural telephone lines are being provided. The subsidies awarded cost the government less than 0.3 percent of total telecommunications sector revenue during the funding period, and Fund administration cost about 3 percent of the monies granted. The Fund's success was due largely to extensive reliance on market forces to determine and allocate subsidies, minimal regulatory intervention, simple and relatively expeditious processing, and effective government leadership. Competition among existing and new operators for the rural market and subsidies led to substantial reductions in cost to the government compared to earlier public sector investments in similar facilities. Commercial success has hinged on operators using the subsidized payphone infrastructures to also provide individual business and residential telephone lines and, subsequently, add value through new services (including voice mail and internet access in some areas) over this network. Interconnection was the single most important regulatory factor of commercial viability, with access charges in some cases surpassing 40 percent of rural operating revenues. The design of the Fund proved robust, and remains the leading example of a costeffective slution to reduce access gaps in basic communication in emerging economies. Some questions remain, however, about whether the services can be sustained in the long term, what to do with the small residual rural population still excluded, and whether anything needs to be done in urban areas. These questions-in addition to limited design improvements suggested by the Fund's experience, as well as work still in progress on quality standards and monitoring-are relevant to the Fund's proposed extension into more advanced modes of communication and access to information, as well as to other countries learning from the Chilean experience." (Executive summary)
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"The essays in this book examine the current and potential impact of the ICT explosion in Africa. They focus specifically on gender issues and analyze the extent to which women's needs and preferences are being served. The authors underscore the need for information to be made directly relevant to t
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he needs of rural women, whether in the areas of agriculture, health, microenterprise, or education. They argue that it is not enough for women simply to be passive participants in the development of ICTs in Africa. Women must also be decision-makers and actors in the process of using the new ICTs to accelerate African economic, social, and political development." (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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"L'un des phénomènes majeurs du XXe siècle est, sans conteste, la domination de la communication collective, jusqu'aux années 70, par les grands médias comme la radio, les journaux puis le cinéma et la télévision. Depuis 20 ans, le bouleversement est complet : la télécopie, la vidéo, la
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communication par satellite, la connexion entre millions d'ordinateurs par Internet et, sa toile (le Word Wide Web) ouvrent des perspectives radicalement nouvelles pour une dynamique planétaire avec d'immenses risques et d'infinies possibilités. Ce dossier présente les déclarations et les avis contrastés d'hommes politiques, d'organisations et de personnalités multiples concernées à divers titres par ce débat. S'agit-il vraiment d'un enjeu majeur pour le prochain siècle ? Comment mettre à profit les potentialités de ces technologies et éviter les risques d'une fracture entre ceux qui y auront et ceux qui n'y auront pas accès ? Comment assurer une maîtrise sociale sur leur développement, leur usage et leurs contenus ?" (Dos de couverture)
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