A fairer world - The Tasmanian Center for Global Learning

Did you know?

  • Eight countries account for almost fifty percent of world Internet usage.*
  • About 800,000 villages – representing 30% of all villages worldwide – still lack connection to any kind of information and communication technology.*
  • Africa has its own digital divide. Almost three quarters of all Africa’s fixed phone lines are found in just 6 of the continent’s 55 countries.*



ICT for development

Technology made large populations possible; large populations now make technology indispensable.
Joseph Wood Krutch


Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become the voice of our modern world. They come in a growing number of forms such as the Internet, satellites, mobile phones, e-mail and cable systems.

While ICTs are proliferating rapidly, their value to the world will always be a consequence of the intelligence, compassion and respect that activate them. Increasingly, we are developing a desperate reliance upon technology to solve the world’s problems. In the communications sector, technology does seem to offer great possibilities.

Many do see ICTs as, at least, a partial answer to the inequities that exist in the world. For developing countries they can have a positive impact upon education, health and disaster prevention. They can be generators for democracy, free speech and revolution. They can help to combat poverty through job creation and increased productivity. But, in the end, they are only tools. Their value rests on how we use them.

At present, there is a wide gap in the availability of ICTs between the developed and the developing worlds. This digital divide also exists between the rich and the poor in wealthy societies. ICTs are seen as a major resource for international development. In particular, they are expected to play an important part in realising the Millennium Development Goals. There are already many examples of ICTs at work and it is clear that they will significantly change our world.



Finding out about ICTs

The following sites contain a vast amount of information about iCCTs.

  • The Digital Opportunity Channel is good source for news about ICTs and development. It focuses on ending poverty and encouraging sustainable development.


The digital divide

Internationally, there is a great deal of energy and money being invested in trying to reduce the ICT gap between the rich and the poor nations. The benefits of ICT's have so far reached only one-third of the world's population. 

  • Digital Divide.org provides an interesting introduction to the background, fallacies and realities of the Digital Divide. They suggest that the "Divide is widening, not narrowing, and at an ever-increasing rate." The Digital Divide Network is a community of individuals and groups active in trying to bridge the Divide. It is a clearinghouse for news, ideas and resources.  
  • Bridges.org is a technologist-based group working to expand ICT access in the developing world, particularly in Africa. The site provides background and tools.


ICTs and development

Most of the Millennium Development Goals can be advanced through the use of ICTs. In particular, Target 18 ("In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technoligies especially information and communications technologies."), focuses on this area. Here are some examples of agencies that are engaged in the promotion of ICTs to improve conditions in the developing world. 

  • The Development Gateway contains a series of essays relating ICTs to the Millennium Development Goals.The South-focused portal Choike also has links to articles on this topic.
  • First Voicedistributes information on pressing issues, such as HIV/AIDs, reproductive health and good governance to audiences in Africa or Asia using satellite, radio and multimedia.


Success stories

More and more examples of ICT and development case studies and projects are beginning to appear on the Internet. They demonstrate what has been accomplished and they illustrate just how varied the different approaches are. 

  • The ICT4D Stories page, (under Learn More), on the Global Knowledge Partnership site gives access to dozens of “success stories and lessons learned.”
  • Gesci has a selection of global success stories which focus on digital education and learning.
  • Many of the affiliates are using radio and television to foster social change. This page provides examples from Asia and Africa.

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