Connecting ICTs to Development

Over the past two decades, IDRC-supported projects have critically examined the ways in which ICTs can be used to improve learning, empower the disenfranchised, generate income opportunities for the poor, and facilitate access to healthcare in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Considering that most development institutions and governments are currently attempting to integrate ICTs into their practices, it is an opportune time to reflect on the research findings that have emerged from IDRC's work and research in this area. "Connecting ICTs to Development" discusses programmatic investments made by the IDRC in a wide variety of areas related to ICTs, including infrastructure, access, regulations, health, governance, education, livelihoods, social inclusion, technical innovation, intellectual property rights and evaluation. Each chapter in this book analyzes the ways in which research findings from IDRC-supported projects have contributed to an evolution of thinking, and successes and challenges in using ICTs as tools to address development issues. It also presents key lessons learned from ICT4D programming and recommendations for future work.