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United Nations expert meeting on building inclusive societies and development through promotion of accessible information and communication technologies (ICTs) : emerging issues and trends

UNITED NATIONS DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS (UNDESA)
UNITED NATIONS INFORMATION CENTER
THE NIPPON FOUNDATION
2012

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This report is the outcome of a United Nations Expert Group Meeting (EGM) consisting of plenary and working group sessions. Presentations and discussions on issues and trends in accessible and usable information and communications technologies (ICTs) and development are provided. The working groups recommendations include: (1) policy frameworks and institutional arrangements to promote accessible and usable ICTs, (2) accessibility technologies and technical standards and (3) accessible and usable ICTs in disaster responses and emergency situations
United Nations expert meeting on building inclusive societies and development through promotion of accessible information and communication technologies (ICTs) : emerging issues and trends
Tokyo, Japan
19-21 April 2012

Information and communication technologies and broad-based development : a partial review of the evidence

GRACE, Jeremy
KENNY, Charles
QIANG, Christine
et al
February 2004

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This paper reviews some of the evidence for the link between telecommunications and the Internet and economic growth, the likely impact of the new ICTs on income inequality and anecdotal evidence regarding the role of the Internet in improving government services and governance. It looks at methods to maximise access to the new ICTs, and improve their development impact both in promoting income generation and in the provision of quality services. The authors also note that the implementation of ICTs must be part of a broader reform agenda

Harnessing ICTs for community health : the AfriAfya initiative

NYAMAI, Caroline
April 2002

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A number of health NGOs in Kenya, interested individuals and the Ministry of Health came together for a workshop in April 2000 to explore how they might harness ICT for community health, recognising that individually none had adequate solutions. A consortium, later called AfriAfya, was established to explore means of turning good ideas into practical realities. The consortium consisted of seven of the large health NGOs in Kenya - Aga Khan Health Services, Kenya; African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF); CARE Kenya; Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK); SatelLife HealthNet Kenya; PLAN International; and World Vision International, Kenya - along with the Ministry of Health. This report explains the initiative and explores its results, lessons and impacts

ICT opportunities and challenges for development in the Arab world

NOUR, Samia Satti OM
2002

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This paper examines the status of ICT in the Arab world and the potential opportunities and challenges for this region. There is limited growth within the region with higher GNP countries having the most penetration. While ICT has the potential to increase development, it also may introduce competitive challenges, inequality in the region and the loss of unskilled jobs

Information and communication technology : poverty and development in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia

PIGATO, Miria
2001

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This lengthy report examines the patterns of utilization, ownership and affordability of ICT in these two regions. It also discusses the application of ICT to the poor by the private sector, government and NGOs. The paper notes the significant gap between industrialized countries and these two regions and two internal gaps - between the richest and poorest and between the urban and rural areas. It also notes several principles for ICT use to alleviate poverty.

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