The presentation decribes the challenges of ICT in developing countries and proposes a framework for appropriate ICT.

1. Appropriate Technology for ICT
in Developing Countries
Treading between Dream and
Reality
Victor van Reijswoud
Professor of Information Systems
Divine Word University
Papua New Guinea

2. Outline
1.Our Challenge
2.Appropriate Technology for ICT
3.Some Examples
4.Conclusions and Way Forward

3. Our Challenge
“ Information and Communication Technologies
are a key input for economic development and
growth. They offer opportunities for global
integration while retaining the identity of the
traditional societies. ICT can increase the
economic and social well-being of poor people,
and can empower individuals and communities.
Finally ICT can enhance the effectiveness,
efficiency and transparency of the public sector,
including the delivery of social services.”
(World Bank, 2002)

4. Our moral responsibility
● Connect to the rest of the world
● Provide affordable access to ICT for all
● Build an ICT infrastructure with limited funds
● Keep recurrent costs as low as possible
● Have local ICT capacity available
● Support local culture

5. Digital Divide

8. Some Figures
C omputer Us e Internet Us e
(per 100 people) (per 100 people)
D eveloping C ountries 2.5 2.6
Leas t D eveloped C ountries 0.3 0.2
Arab S tates 2.1 1.6
Eas t As ia and the Pacif i
c 3.3 4.1
Latin America and the C aribbean 5.9 4.9
S outh As ia 0.8 0.6
S ub-S aharan Africa 1.2 0.8
C entral & Eas tern Europe & C IS 5.5 4.3
O EC D 36.3 33.2
High-income O EC D 43.7 40
Computer and internet use in different regions (UNDP 2006)
,

9. More Figures
R ank C ountry Acces s index C onnectivity IC T diffus ion
index index
175 S olomon Is lands 0.341 0.016 0.115
151 Papua New Guinea 0.393 0.021 0.207
135 Vanuatu 0.444 0.023 0.233
103 Fiji 0.521 0.078 0.299
15 New Zealand 0.832 0.478 0.655
9 Australia 0.807 0.589 0.698
Index for ICT Diffusion in the Asia-Pacif i region United Nations 2007
c

10. Dream
vs.
Reality

14. '

18. Appropriate ICT

19. Definition Appropriate ICT
“The integrated and participatory approach that
results in tools and processes for establishing
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
that is suitable for the cultural, environmental,
organisational, economic and political conditions
in which it is intended to be used.”
In other words:
Adapt to the context!

20. Appropriate Technology - 1
1. It should be possible to implement/ realize technological
solutions with limited financial resources.
2. The use of available resources must be emphasized to
reduce the costs and to guarantee the supply of
resources e.g., for maintenance
3. Technologies may be relatively labor-intensive, but must
have a higher output than the traditional technologies.
4. The technology must be understandable for people
without specific or academic training
5. Small rural communities should be able to produce and
maintain the technology

21. Appropriate Technology - 2
6. The technology must result into economic and/or social
progress.
7. The technology must be fully understandable for the
local population, the end-users resulting into
possibilities for them to become involved in the possible
innovation and extension of the use of the technology
8. The technological solutions must be flexible and easily
to be adapted to changing circumstances.
9. The technology must contribute to the increase of
productivity
10.The technology should not have a negative impact on
the environment.

22. 3 focus areas
● Hardware
● Software
● Methodologies
In the context of the system development life cycle
● Definition
● Design
● Construction
● Installation
● Operation / Maintenance

23. The A-ICT Framework

24. The A-ICT Check list
The Appropriate ICT Framework results in a
checklist with questions that guides to:
1.Selection of appropriate ICT hardware
2.Selection of appropriate ICT software
3.Approproate methodologies for introduction
and deployment of ICT

25. Appropriate ICT

26. Appropriate Hardware for PNG
● Durable
● Strong and dust/damp resistant
● Easy to maintain – no special tools
● Easy to upgrade
● Parts available

27. One-Laptop-per-Child project - 1
To create educational opportunities for the world's
poorest children by providing each child with a
rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop
with content and software designed for
collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning.
When children have access to this type of tool
they get engaged in their own education. They
learn, share, create, and collaborate. They
become connected to each other, to the world and
to a brighter future.

28. One-Laptop-per-Child project - 2
The XO is a potent learning tool
designed and built especially for
children in developing countries,
living in some of the most remote
environments. It’s about the size
of a small textbook. It has built-in
wireless and a unique screen that
is readable under direct sunlight
for children who go to school
outdoors. It’s extremely durable,
brilliantly functional, energy-
efficient, and fun.

29. Making two (ten) of one
http://www2.userful.com/
A simple and free way to transform
your dual-monitor linux PC into a
dual-station PC.
Using just one PC you'll be able to
support two independent users. All
you need is a computer with two
monitors connected and an extra
USB keyboard and mouse.
Can be extended to 10 users with
paid version

30. Linux Terminal Server Project
● The Linux Terminal Server Project adds thin-
client support to Linux servers. LTSP is a
flexible, cost effective solution that is
empowering schools, businesses, and
organizations all over the world to easily install
and deploy desktop workstations.
● A growing number of Linux distributions include
LTSP out-of-the-box.

31. This is also nice
(but still too expensive for most of us)

32. Appropriate Software for PNG
● Affordable / free
● Easy to use
● Usable on older/second hand hardware
● Adaptable and scalable
● No internet activation / no massive updates
● Limited file sizes
● Allowing localization

33. Free and Open Source Software
● Free redistribution of software
● Source code availability and distribution. To allow easy
evolution and adaptation of programs
● Explicit permission to modify the software and further
redistribute derived works under the same license terms.
FOSS provides low cost alternatives but yet industry
strength solutions
● Desktop
● Server

36. Ubuntu Light
● Recommended
configuration:
● Pentium 2 or
better
● 96MB of RAM or
better
● 4GB Hard Drive
or better
● www.u-lite.org

37. No cost solution
● Small and medium size organisations can
automate at zero software cost:
● IP cop gateway
● SME server as file server
● Ubuntu / Open Office on the desktop
● ClamAV virus protect (for the win machines)
● Email / website through google apps
● Databases with Base. MySQL
● Etc
When we only had the right advisors!

38. Appropriate Methodologies for
PNG
● Addressing limited understanding of the users
● User requirements driven (not vendor-driven)
● Need to address:
● Environment
● Organisation
● Economical / financial
● Political
● CULTURE
● Participative (as in PNG tradition)

39. Conclusions
● ICT is PNG is not heading in an appropiate
direction
● Dreamers and clever business men lead the
way
● This leads to:
● Exclusion of large groups
● Slow ICT adoption
● High levels of software piracy
● 'White elephants'
● Accept that we have limited resources!!!

40. Way Forward
● Government should promote appropriate ICT
solutions
● All large ICT projects need to be assessed by
independent and well qualified ICT experts
● Donors need to implement appropriate ICT
solutions (no financial legacy after project)
● Build up in-country best practices
● Support program for young entrepreneurs nur-
turing innovation
● Awareness program for users

41. 10Q
10Q
More information:
Prof. Victor van Reijswoud
vvvanreijswoud@dwu.ac.pg
+675 7650 7946