TOWARDS A LEARNING MODEL OF ICT APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper reports on a two-day workshop held in Sweden (7–8 April 2008) to bring together researchers and professionals to share insights and experiences in the application of information and communication technology (ICT) to sustainable development (SD). The third in a series of events sponsored by the Swedish Program for Information and Communication Technology in Developing Regions (SPIDER), this workshop was aimed at fostering experience sharing among participants, creation of opportunities for formulating new project and research ideas, and enabling the formation of new partnerships. The focal point of the workshop was the conjunction of ICTs, environment, and development. Beginning with pre-workshop conversations via a blog page, the workshop promoted involvement of participants in active exchanges and dialogue through the use of open space processes. Workshop discussions revolved around questions of power and equity, poverty reduction, collective learning, and private sector involvement. The workshop was intended to encourage development organizations to explore alternatives to the traditional deployment approach to ICTs. Workshop participants reflected on the challenges and opportunities of shifting to a systemic learning approach for applying ICTs to SD. A systemic learning model is outlined as a means to enable more effective use of ICTs by balancing technical knowledge with insights into the context and history of the stakeholders and their field of application.

Keywords:

• environment
• communication studies
• social networking
• ICT deployment
• sustainable development
• systemic learning

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank SPIDER and SENSA (Swedish Environmental Secretariat for Asia) for their support and collaboration. A similar note of gratitude goes to the keynote speakers and all participants for their contributions to the workshop. We also thank three anonymous referees for helpful suggestions.