Digital Pulse - Ch 2 - Sec 3 - Discovering the “Magic Box”: Local Appropriation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)

Summary

The article presents the results of a short-term study on the local appropriation of ICTs in developing countries. The paper aims to provide information and improve dialogue on ICTs; to point to the need for a greater focus on grassroots initiatives; to encourage greater monitoring and evaluation; and to present a selection of cases studies and to draw from those cases a set of “good practice” criteria.

Key Points

Challenges – The digital divide is one of the most pressing issues to overcome as a result of the emergence of ICT growth. There exists the potential for further marginalization of countries, regions, and individuals who are unable to fully access the power and opportunities afforded by ICTs. This inequality is caused by a mixture of inadequate national communication policies, poor infrastructure, high costs, and lack of a sufficiently skilled labour force that are able to utilize the ICTs.

Potential Benefits – Despite these challenges, ICT applications offer many potential advantages including improved two-way and horizontal communication between communities, intermediaries and NGO's; increased bottom-up articulation of development needs; the development and strengthening of interactive and collaborative networks for information flows; better support policy and advocacy; consensus building; and enhanced partnerships with the media.

Local Appropriation - Is the process of integrating and taking ownership of ICTs on the part of rural communities and individuals. “Appropriation is about power over the tools and content of communication.” Local appropriation is important because it:

• Contributes to a reduction of the digital divide.
• Gives a voice to the voiceless.
• Fosters and facilitates community decision making.
• Contributes to increased community ownership of ICTs for development.
• Ensures that ICTs serve the communities.

Good Practice Criteria – The following features were identified as necessary components of programmes that contribute to local appropriation of ICTs. Projects need to be:

• community-driven
• innovative
• user-friendly
• sustainable
• transferable
• gender/youth sensitive
• have a training component

Several case studies followed, each examining ways in which the specific program was fostering the appropriation of ICTs. A review of the case studies produced the following main findings:

• Limited number of community-driven, locally appropriated ICT initiatives or projects.
• Limited visibility and exposure for grassroots projects in the international community.
• Most of the documentation on community ICTs is new and there is a shortage of evaluations.
• Most ICTs initiatives are implemented without prior participatory needs assessments.
• External organizations tend to set the priorities for ICT projects.
• ICT projects tend to have an economic, market-based focus.
• Target groups/beneficiaries are hard to identify.
• The creation of content and selection of ICT tools occurs without local participation.
• Lack of awareness, ICT skills and literacy hamper the effectiveness of ICT projects and prevent local appropriation.

Source: SDdimensions, June 2001.