ICTs and Sustainable Development

This presentation in MS PowerPoint format was given for the Communication for Development Programme at Malmo University in 2007. The presentation begins with a sampling of new and old information and communication technologies (ICTs), including computers, satellites and wireless networks in the new category, and video cameras, radio, and television in the old, placing books, libraries, loudspeakers, and newspapers to the category of "oldest". The question "Why ICTs?" follows. The author suggests that enhancement of health, livelihood, voice, and choice are among the answers.

This presentation focuses on India as a rural market for ICT, with supporting statistics:

• 600,000 villages, GDP US $130 billion.
• Market of US$12,500 per village for ICTs and e-governance.
• Savings of US$34,000 per year per village.
• Total rural market: US$7.5 billion per year.
• Savings to rural communities: US$20 billion per year.

The presentation continues with defining sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, a definition of the Brundtland report. It illustrates multiple areas of application of this definition, using a Venn diagramme of overlapping social, environmental, and economic spheres. The author lists the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and then diagrammatically shows the possibility that ICTs may reduce the intensity of energy consumption of the one billion people who consume 80 percent of available energy and resources, bringing them closer in consumption to the five billion who consume 20 percent of available energy and resources.

The presentation shows ICT possibilities in a variety of categories, beginning with medical use:

1. Telemedicine;
2. Teleradiology;
3. Monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks;
4. Better and more efficient data collection on/by communities/patients;
5. Health and hygiene education;
6. Information to individuals and communities; and
7. Support for healthcare professionals.

In education, ICT advances may be involved in:

1. Teacher training;
2. Primary, secondary, and university education;
3. Adult education;
4. Technical and vocational education;
5. Distance education; and
6. Teacher and student networking, all resulting from internet and short messaging services (SMS).

Improved governance is another possibility for ICT usage. Possibilities include applications to election systems, a higher civil society interface, information dissemination, more information on trends and experiences of others, a higher rate of correspondence among citizens, and more independent and citizen media. Reduced vulnerability is another possibility of ICT use, including pre-disaster warnings, post-disaster interventions, better natural resource management, weather-based crop insurance, better health and education, and enhanced equity.

Under the topic of cultural sustainability, the author describes the uses of ICT to document culture and practices, the advantage for marginal groups to reach out to the mainstream, the promotion of traditional products and practices (such as yoga), and the maintenance of identities (such as Diaspora groups and minorities). Within ICT usage, the PowerPoint includes "offbeat sustainability concepts", which refers to short- or long-term gender equity, the possibility of economic gains over the next 20 years (including elimination of poverty), and improved education as a means to take pressure off land (resulting in fewer people dependent on small farming and reduced poverty, with the possible result of less stress on the local environment).

The author lists sustainability issues for telecentres. Social barriers to access include gender, according to the author, (e.g., some women have fewer financial resources, less time, and less education). Content is more focused on men's needs, and applications do not sufficiently serve the economically poor. The internet communication base is still strongly text-based and in English. Power and connectivity are issues in many locations, and content is not sufficiently locally relevant.


Economic models for ICT access points listed by the author are: the market-based model - focused on economic returns and entrepreneur ownership, which, as stated here, is a financially sustainable model that may not serve the economically poorest and is likely to proliferate in select geographical areas; and the social return-based model - which is owned and operated by a governmental or non-governmental organisation or the community. The possible impacts of ICT access, as stated here, are: higher activity among youth and women, higher agricultural productivity and prices, reduced vulnerability due to better risk management, better interface with government, better evaluation systems for development projects, the creation of virtual markets, and more entertainment venues.

In conclusion, the author reviews lessons learned to date through ICT in development projects. As stated in the presentation, there should be focus on the outcome and process, not the technology; initiatives should be needs-based, with technological solutions that result in more accessibility, including benefits of increased electricity and roads; content and touch screens are important directions, as well as speech-based text; e-literacy needs to increase; and open source programming should be encouraged.