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Information and communication technologies in Africa

ADEYA, Catherine Nyaki
2001

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[From foreward:] This literature review and annotated bibliography explore the evidence for the potential of ICTs (information and communication technologies) to assist in Africa's development, and the extent to which ICTs are changing the 'shape' of Africa. The review begins by introducing ICTs and the information economy in the African context. The literature selected for the bibliography is then reviewed thematically under a number of headings: Overview of ICTs in Africa; Information infrastructure; Information economy; Information management; Socio-cultural and political issues; Education and training; and Gender. The review reveals that, despite many constraints, the use of ICTs is growing in Africa and there have been successful developments in infrastructure, information management, networking and gender-related issues. However, the literature has also revealed considerable variation between different African countries in their adoption and use of these technologies. The literature reviewed relates primarily to anglophone Africa and generally excludes telecommunications issues, as these are already well documented in other publications. In essence it is hoped that this publication will act as a window of opportunity for more nationally and locally focused empirical research and will make a contribution to understanding the research opportunities and challenges that still face most African countries

TeleMedMail : free software to facilitate telemedicine in developing countries

FRASER, H S
JAZAYERI, D
BANNACH, L
SZOLOVITS, P
MCGRATH, S J
2001

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This paper describes a software application to facilitate store-and-forward telemedicine by email of images from digital cameras. TeleMedMail is written in Java and allows structured text entry, image processing, image and data compression, and data encryption. The design, implementation, and initial evaluation are described.

Information technologies, health, and globalization : anyone excluded?

PARENT, Florence
COPPIETERS, Yves
PARENT, Marc
2001

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The authors, specialists in public health and members of an association that aims to create opportunities for access to training in public health in developing countries, warn that the use of the term globalization ignores the reality of the digital divide, that is, the fact that social inequalities may preclude the realization of this promise on a truly global scale. The article deals with several critical questions of the north to south communications and the limits to this type of information for public health training

Governance in Africa : the role for information and communication technologies

ADESIDA, Olugbenga
2001

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"This paper assesses the role that information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play in Africa’s development with special emphasis on governance. The 21st century challenges for governance in Africa are reviewed. The paper summarises the uses of ICTs in governance and discusses possible risks. It also attempts to offer ideas that should be considered in employing ICTs for governance, and identifies key areas for intervention by African countries and the African Development Bank. The paper stresses the importance of the human factor in realising good governance, given that ICTs are only tools"

Computer technologies for postsecondary students with disabilities : Adaptech Project|Technologies Informatiques pour les etudiants ayant des incapacites au postsecondaire : Project Adaptech

FOSSEY, Myrtis-Eirene
et al
2001

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This study and report on computer technologies for post-secondary students with disabilities explores the ways in which computers can address the barriers to learning faced by students with visual or hearing impairments, learning disabilities and mobility impairments. It would be useful for anyone with an interest in assistive computer technologies. The French version of this report follows the English version

Investing in knowledge : ECDPM experiences, 1994-2000

BALLANTYNE, Peter
November 2000

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New information and communication technologies (ICTs) are changing the way our organisations work. In response, organisations are devising new, collaborative, strategies to manage information and share knowledge. This paper illustrates how ECDPM, a small foundation, has sought to achieve its information and communication goals

Managing knowledge in health services

BOOTH, Andrew
WALTON, Graham
2000

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This book examines the role of information management in health care. It is not specifically about developing countries, but parts may be relevant to evolving health care systems and information services in development. Part 1 looks at the context within which health care is delivered and examines the different users who have access to the knowledge base; Part 2 outlines the principles underlying the way health information resources and services are organized and managed; and Part 3 discusses the skills required to use the knowledge base effectively. Within this structure, individual chapters cover issues of particular relevance, such as marketing the information service, training the users, sources of health knowledge and searching the knowledge base

Social implications of information and communication technology in developing countries : lessons from Asian success stories

BHATNAGAR, S
2000

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The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and the World Bank organised a workshop entitled, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for Rural Development to bring together case studies of various applications of ICT that have been demonstrated to make a difference in the delivery of services or products in rural areas. The cases presented illustrate the opportunities and challenges in the diffusion of ICT within India and for other developing countries. The paper presents successful examples of each type of application and discusses one application in detail to draws lessons on what needs to be done to promote ICT for rural development

Disseminating health information in developing countries : the role of the internet

TAN-TORRES EDEJER, T
2000

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This article notes that information and communication technologies have not been harnessed systematically to improve the health of populations in developing countries and that the current digital divide is more dramatic than any other inequity in health or income. It also states that the quality of health information available on the web is inconsistent, and the visibility of research from developing countries is limited and concludes that the way forward is to exploit the full interactivity of the internet, which allows rapid feedback and change to continuously mould information into useful knowledge

The tyranny of participation in information systems : learning from development projects

HEEKS, Richard
March 1999

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This paper sets out to investigate and understand some of the problems of participatory approaches. It does so by recognising the parallels between debate on the role and value of participation in information systems (IS) development, and debate on the role and value of participation in development projects more generally. These projects aim to deliver development goals and they have frequently involved participation. They therefore provide fertile ground for learning about approaches to information systems development. Participation is seen to fail in such projects because it ignores context; because it is itself ignored; because it ignores reality; and because it ignores other factors. Based on this analysis, a more critical approach to participation in IS projects is suggested, with three critical questions identified that must be answered before participation can be considered

Communications and development : a practical guide

BURKE, Adam
1999

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DFID guide to development communications in three sections: background (channels of communication, rights, participation, implications to poor people and civil society); guide to implementing development communications (including forming a strategy, planning, using mass media, building capacity); guide to different media (drama/performance, mass media, ICT)

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