papers & documents

In the Pacific there is a widespread interest in enhancing Internet infrastructure, says a report entitled 'Internet Infrastructure and e-Governance in Pacific Islands Countries'.

In answer to a parliamentary question, British Home Office minister Douglas Alexander announced a new policy on the use of Open Source Software within the government and published it on the official Website.

International decisions about ICTs have far-reaching implications for developing countries. Yet they are poorly represented when agendas are set and decisions made. At its Genoa Summit in 2001, the G8 asked its Digital Opportunities Task Force (DOT Force) to draw up proposals to promote more effective universal participation in international ICT decision-making.

This article highlights the global significance of the digital divide. It discusses five key prerequisites for bridging this inequitable gap: awareness, access, affordability, availability, and adaptability. It also highlights various challenges faced in seeking to bridge the digital divide.

The Digital Opportunity Initiative report examines the experiences in the deployment of ICT to meet specific development imperatives as well as national ICT strategies in countries ranging from Tanzania, Estonia, India, and Bangladesh to Costa Rica and South Africa.

Technology networks are transforming the traditional map of development and expanding horizons, according to the new Human Development Report, which this year focuses on new technologies and development and for the first time ranks countries according to a Technological Achievement Index.

Eldis have compiled a selection of short documents and programmes on ICT issues for developing countries. The documents are suitable for briefing policy makers as well as providing a good overview.

An interesting study highlighting a few examples of community based, as apposed to corporate, ICT projects that have the potential to reduce the digital divide at the community, group and individual levels.