While working on a project in Ethiopia as part of my study programme, I discovered the large potentials of ICT4D. I will post more about this topic, but before I continue babbling on… what exactly is it?
Well, wikipedia puts it like this:
Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) is a general term referring to the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) within the field of socio-economic development. ICT4D concerns itself directly with overcoming the barriers of the digital divide. ICTs can be applied either in the direct sense, where their use directly benefits the disadvantaged population in some manner, or in an indirect sense, where the ICTs assist aid organizations or non-governmental organizations or governments or businesses in order to improve socio-economic conditions. In many impoverished regions of the world, legislative and political measures are required to facilitate or enable application of ICTs, especially with respect to monopolistic communications structures and censorship laws.
So to me, ICT4D looks like a very broad field to engage in, with many diverse business, research or job opportunities. I hope to uncover and share more of it soon.
