The significance of information and communication technologies for reducing poverty
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 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 role of ICTs in combating poverty and fostering sustainable development has been the subject of increasing debate and experimentation within the international community. The contrast between the complexity and expense of some of these technologies and the urgent, basic needs of the poor has led some to doubt whether ICTs should be a priority for DFID and other development agencies, or for developing countries themselves. Others have hailed these technologies as holding out great hope for developing countries, and have warned of a growing "digital divide" between rich and poor that must be narrowed by concerted international action. 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.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Texto biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
[London, England] Department for International Development
2002
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| Subjects: | Tecnología de la información, Desarrollo científico y tecnológico, Pobreza, Comunicación, |
| Online Access: | https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:/www.dfid.gov.uk/documents/publications/ictpoverty.pdf |
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