This report aims to give an overview of what DAC members currently know about how information and communication technology (ICT) use in developing economies can stimulate economic growth and poverty reduction. It draws attention to the cross-cutting applications of ICTs, to their role as tools, not goals, and links their use to development co-operation
This paper considers the dissemination of ICT within various conceptual frameworks, calling for approaches that start with the needs and desires of poor people for information. It is strongly illustrated with examples from India and Pakistan. Banuri then turns to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and to the potential of ICT to support progress in meeting these goals. Finally, he criticises governments for lack of a coherent, human development-based ICT policy emphasizing the MDGs, while suggesting that civil society has done better
This paper is about the connection between strategies to reduce poverty and strategies to maximize ICT benefit. It reviews the evolution of ICT strategies region by region and analyses the connection between e-strategies and poverty reduction strategies
This paper sets out an approach to disability and development based on the social model of disability. It states that national and international statistics on the incidence of physical and/or mental impairment provides a partial and often misleading notion of the social reality of disability in developing countries. They should therefore not be used to gauge the needs of disabled people or to estimate the costs or benefits of programmes. The paper argues for the need to formulate an integrated strategy towards disability and development. It recommends that specific criteria be adopted for judging project concept notes and proposals and makes recommendations regarding the choice and weighting of criteria. It also provides a set of recommendations for: DFID in general; DFID in relation to its Disability Knowledge and Research (KaR) programme; the Disability KaR programme managers; further work to be undertaken