ICT for development: Hope or hype?
November 9, 2006, Athar Osama, Scidev.net
The author contends that serious problems of development must first be confronted before the potential of ICT for development can be fulfilled. Despite the many examples of 'successful' projects, mainly in India, the myths of ICT in development abound. There have been small impact on people's lives, but a lack of deeper insight into project efficiency persists. It is essential to seek more viable solutions to social, political and economic problems. Technology ultimately cannot improve government efficiency or provide vital information without policies to ensure these aims. Better analysis of ICT for sustainable development is necessary if any improvements are to be made in people's lives.