Background Paper for Identifying the Best Practice of ICT implementations in Asia and the Pacific

The purpose of the paper is to illustrate the status of ICT initiatives and implementations which aim to bridge the digital divide. More precisely, this paper aims to help assess how many people, what kind of groups of people and which regions have been left out from accessing ICT, and to identify the main problems of further expanding ICT access which is the foundation of an inclusive information society. Without such foundation, meaningful utilization of ICT for development would not be feasible.First, this paper introduces the current situation of the digital divide in Asia and the Pacific. Using and comparing the latest statistical data, it provides a bigger picture of ICT access through examining ICT penetration rate and nature of the digital divide in this region. Second, the paper discusses some latest technologies, such as broadband, wireless, and space technology, which could bridge the digital divide as significant access methodologies: This helps to determine which methodology is suitable to bridge the digital divide in certain locality and under certain condition.Finally, the paper identifies major and strategic ICT projects, mainly at the regional, sub-regionaland national levels, which have been undertaken in Asia and the Pacific with a view to expanding ICT access. (Zunia)

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Making the Connection: Scaling Telecenters for Development

This book identifies and discusses the most pressing issues facing the global telecenter movement, presents a condensed view of the current state of knowledge with regard to telecenters, and highlights possible paths forward. Our goal with this book is to help you move forward, to inspire you, and, whenever possible, to guide you. The primary audience for this book consists of those individuals, firms, and organizations that are most likely to be involved, either directly or indirectly, in the planning and deployment of telecenters around the world.

Full publication in PDF format; Number of pages: 256p., Academy for
Educational Development, Microsoft Corporation, and the International Development Research Centre.

Digital Quality of Life: Understanding the Personal & Social Benefits of the Information Technology Revolution

In this report, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation documented how IT, since the mid-1990s, has been the principal driver of increased economic growth not only in the United States but also in many other nations. However, IT is also at the core of dramatic improvements in the quality of life for individuals around the world. In this new report, it is shown how IT is the key enabler of many, if not most, of today’s key innovations and improvements in people’s lives and society—from better education and health care, to a cleaner and more energy-efficient environment, to safer and more secure communities and nations.

Click here to read this report

Source: Zunia, Knowledge Sharing

Social Networking, the "Third Place," and the Evolution of Communication

This white paper discusses the premise that technology not only mediates interactions, but is actually changing the nature of communication itself. This release marks the first in a series of topical papers associates with the New Media Consortium's Series of Virtual Symposia (formerly the Series of Online Conferences), which are designed to explore emerging topics in education and technology using social computing technologies to bring people together online in a way that offers many of the same affordances of a face-to-face conference.

For detail click here to read the paper

Source: Zunia, Knowledge Exchange

Actual vs. Necessary Trend of MDG 1

The 2009 Failed States Index | Foreign Policy

The 2009 Failed States Index | Foreign Policy

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The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009

The Report underlines that good education fundamentals and high levels of technological readiness and innovation are essential engines of growth needed to overcome the current economic crisis. Under the theme “Mobility in a Networked World”, this year’s Report places a particular focus on the relationship and interrelations between mobility and ICT.

With record coverage of 134 economies worldwide, the Report remains the world’s most comprehensive and authoritative international assessment of the impact of ICT on the development process and the competitiveness of nations. The Report is produced by the World Economic Forum in cooperation with INSEAD, the leading international business school, and is sponsored by Cisco Systems.

See detail,  The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009

World Report 2009

The 19th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2008 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question.


Sixty years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the governments demonstrating the clearest vision on international rights protections, sadly, are those seeking to undermine enforcement. In their foreign policies and in international fora, they invoke sovereignty, non-interference, and Southern solidarity to curb criticism of their human rights abuses and those of their allies and friends. Governments that champion human rights need urgently to wrest back the initiative from these human rights spoilers.

For detail see,
 
World Report 2009, Human Rights Watch.