Major Resources, Research and Coordination on Global Level return to index
Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries
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The Working Group 9.4 of the International Federation of Information Processing (IFIP) is dedicated to research and action in the social issues of informatics in the Third World.
AIMS: To collect, exchange and disseminate experiences of developing countries;
To develop a consciousness amongst professionals, policy makers and public on social implications of computers in developing nations;
To develop criteria, methods, and guidelines for design and implementation of culturally adapted information systems;
To create a greater interest in professionals from industrialized countries to focus on issues of special relevance to developing countries through joint activities with other Technical Committees.
IFIP WG9.4 Conference, Bangalore, May 29-31 2002
ICTs and Development : New Opportunities, Perspectives and Challenges
InterConnection
The mission of the corporation is to provide the Internet and computer technology and training to underserved communities in developing countries.
InterConnection donates custom designed websites and internet hosting to selected groups.
InterConnection is a clearinghouse for computers and computer equipment. We do not receive or donate computers directly. We provide a bulletin board where groups can request computers and donors can select groups or individuals who they believe would benefit from their donation. Donors ship their equipment directly to
We support non-profits that work in the areas of environmental preservation, human rights and local economic development
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Surplus Federal Computers
for Schools (A detailed Assessment) by the Rand Corporation
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Relevant References
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) English Spanish French
"UNDP helps countries draw on expertise and best practices from around the world to develop strategies that expand access to ICT and harness it for development. Working in 166 countries, UNDP also relies on ICT solutions to make the most effective use of its own global network."
Links to UNDP and the Digital Divide,
ICT Trust Fund,
Digital Opportunity Initiative,
Digital Opportunity Task Force (DOT Force),
Global Digital Opportunity Initiative,
UNDP/Cisco Networking Academies,
UNITeS,
IT Observatory
UNDP has been a leader in recent international efforts to address the digital divide and mainstream ICT as an enabler for development. Through programmes and initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Networking Programme, the Asia Pacific Development Information Programme and the Internet Initiative for Africa (IIA), UNDP has already helped deploy Internet nodes in more than 45 countries and has trained over 25,000 organizations and institutions. In addition, UNDP and the United Nations Volunteers have joined in a strategic partnership with Cisco Systems and others to train students in 24 of the world's Least Developed Countries to provide them with the skills necessary to build and maintain local Internet infrastructure.
Partners in Learning
"Under Partners in Learning, Microsoft is partnering with Government, Ministries of Education, and other key stakeholders to offer a spectrum of education resources—tools, programs, and practices—to empower students and teachers to realize their full potential. ...Partners in Learning includes three key components:
• Partners in Learning Grants Program
• Fresh Start for Donated Computers
• School Agreement Subscription Licensing Program
The Cisco Networking Academy Program
The Cisco Networking Academy Program for curriculum, facts on program, find academy near you, program overview, information.
Centers on teaching students to design, build, and maintain computer networks. The Program prepares students for the 21st Century workplace, while serving as a valuable model for e-learning.
Technology Resources by
Funds Net Services giving an number of programs and groups giving computers and grants both nationally and internationally. For other grants programs see Funds Net Services Online
ICT opportunities and programs locally and globally
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World Links Spanish English Portuguese Arabic Chinese French Russian
"World Links connects and trains teachers and kids in developing countries to improve education and employment opportunities."
Especially informative are papers in pdf format.
Links to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) related organisations
through WOUGNET Women of Uganda Network. Excellent resource and also links on following: Women & Gender, Agriculture, Business, Development, Education, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Intl. Women's Organisations, plus
NetCorps Canada International (NetCorps) English French
"offers exciting volunteer internships in developing countries to young adults with appropriate skills in information and communication technologies."
Assignments are normally for 6 months, and may be in the private, public or non-profit sectors. Every NetCorps assignment is tailored to the specific needs of the overseas host organization. They typically involve tasks such as establishing Internet connections, creating websites, developing databases, setting up and configuring hardware, preparing manuals and documentation, and teaching local people.
Nortel Phumelela Networks Project South Africa
"Nortel Networks South Africa identified the need to promote the use of Information and Communication Technologies in previously disadvantaged communities in South Africa. Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology skills are severely lacking in these under-privileged communities. Nortel Networks saw this as an opportunity to bring technology closer to these communities to instill interest in developing these skills.
The 'Phumelela Networks' project, phumelela meaning 'to be successful', entailed the establishment of three provincial hub sites in the Eastern Cape, Northern province and Gauteng provinces. The partnerships involved provide the possibility of extending the project to other provinces in South Africa."
"A Contribution Agreement was signed between Nortel Networks and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), on behalf of SchoolNet SA..."
Technology Year of Service Programs Career Center of Idealist.org gives listing of various programs in technological organizations in developing nations.
RITS Brazil
Carlos Afonso, head of technological development at RITS, the information network for civil society. This nonprofit organization, based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has been working since 1997 to make computer technology and its powerful communication tools available to the poorest sectors of the population, largely bypassed by the digital revolution. RITS’ ultimate aim is to set up a genuine information network. RITS receives funding from UNESCO, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), among others.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Connecting the Dots IDRC Meets The Dot Force -
A feature article discusses some of the issues around the digital divide and IDRC's role as a member of the Dot Force.
Update: IDRC will support a new Centre for Connectivity in Africa.
Open Knowledge Network (OKN) utilizing the Digital Opportunity Task Force (DOTForce) initiative.
Working in Africa, South Asia, Latin America.
"OKN grew out of the Digital Opportunity Task Force (DOTForce) set up by the G8 Heads of State to make a decisive contribution to bridging the digital divide. The G8 Genoa Plan of Action called for “national and international effort to support local content and applications creation”. As a result of this high level commitment, the process of defining solutions began in 2000 through the DOTForce’s Local Content Working Group, chaired by OneWorld International.
OKN was designed around the following seven principles, based on extensive research into successful projects as well as existing barriers to local content creation and exchange:
building on the experience of others
building capacity in communities to support knowledge sharing
working offline for free, but synchronizing with the Net
peer-to-peer networking of existing Knowledge Workers
standards for metadata using XML
agreed open content copyright licenses
sustainable business models adapted to different contexts"
Community-Based Education for Latina Women [MOSAIC]
Breaking Barriers - Developing self help groups to overcome specific barriers in education, work, and participation.
"Today, thanks to the efforts of EDC’s Gabriela Canepa, Fong and Lara
have joined 18 other Latina mothers from Waltham, Massachusetts,
in a class that offers them not only English language instruction
but also lessons in job readiness, social skills, community action,
health, and self-esteem."
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