Trends in Using ICT for Development

With the start of the new year, it is traditional to predict trends for the coming months. So I thought I’d take a look at our ICT work and identify what I see as trends for our work moving forward and for ICT for development in general. I don’t think any of these predictions are earth-shattering, but they should be helpful as guides for our work and areas for further discussion.

Generally, I see two strong trends and then one I’m not so confident about:

• Greater focus on using cell phones and text messaging to connect systems to users
• Broader acceptance of Open Source technologies in nonprofits and in the developing world
• Increased use of social networking tools to improve communications among people doing this work and people using our systems (this trend is “iffy” because I don’t know if this is something that will really take off in 2008, at least in our organization)

Cell phones and text messaging

It is clear that cell phones are the fastest growing and probably most accessible technology for two-way communication in the developing world. Text messaging, in particular, has become an efficient way to send and receive necessary information, more ubiquitous than email. People in the developing world are more likely to have access to a cell phone than to an Internet-connected computer, they are familiar with the technology, and it is generally cheaper for them. Some unique uses of the technology I’ve seen recently are texting locations of mobile HIV clinics in South Africa and tracking epidemics in Rwanda.

We will need to take advantage of this trend to make our Web-based systems, such as iHRIS, easier for our clients to use, particularly in areas where there is no Internet access. The cell phone may even be a solution for accessing just-in-time information from online repositories, such as the HRH Global Resource Center.

Open Source technologies

I see a promising trend for Open Source technologies becoming more widespread in both the sectors that we work in–nonprofit and public health–and the countries where we work. As Open Source becomes more familiar and thus more trustworthy, the advantages will become too clear to deny. The costs are significantly lower, and the potential for turning over systems to local developers to maintain and grow is much higher.

For our part, we’ll be using such technologies as the Asterisk telephony system and possibly Open Source software on cell phones in addition to the standard LAMP (Linux-Apache-MySQL-PHP) set of development technologies, as well as releasing all of our software developed in-house under Open Source licenses and actively encouraging outside developers to improve them. I expect we will expect our partners to also leverage Open Source technologies. Most importantly, though, I am hearing from the country level that strategic technology plans are being made based on adopting Open Source software for everything from servers to desktops. .

What about social networking?

I think the surge of social networking tools, such as blogs, wikis, podcasts and more, is a very exciting development for those of us who live with always-on, high-speed Internet connectivity. But how does that translate to our work in low-resource settings? I’m not sure, but many nonprofits are exploring that question now and sharing their ideas.

Social networking tools are so powerful and so popular because they tap into our very basic human desire to connect and share with one another. Last year we dipped our toe in the water through this blog and virtual learning environments, which were essentially online communities for sharing information. Perhaps this year we can use them more thoughtfully as a way to better connect with dispersed employees, volunteers and even our clients who are using the technologies we develop. We can exchange ideas, get feedback and work collaboratively faster and more effeciently than we have before.

But for that to happen, the tools have to be accessible, easy to use and compelling. We should start with a few small, targeted projects and see what happens. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, we should harness those free tools that have already been developed for us, tools like Twitter and YouTube. Tapping into the power of these tools will require creative thinking and a willingness to experiment, as well as time to see what works best for us and our community.

Does anyone have any ideas or predictions for 2008? Please share them in the comments.

Posted by Shannon Turlington on 1/21/2008 • Tags: Cellphones, FOSS, ICT4d, Mobile Technology, NPtech, Open Source, Public Health, Social Networking