Our Overall Approach to ICT Initiatives

Putting Clients’ Objectives First

While we can help with just about any kind of information technology issue, our primary goal is to help our clients solve what they perceive to be their most significant problem. We work with them to learn about the obstacles they face, and then help them understand ways in which ICT can help them accomplish their objectives. With a clear understanding of their objectives and priorities, we can help them design and implement cost-effective and sustainable ICT enhancements in their programs.

Increasing Both Supply and Demand

We recognize that the growth of sustainable ICT applications for development requires increases both in the supply of connectivity to underserved markets, and in the demand by computer literate users. We work on the demand side by enabling large-scale public access through telecenters and by promoting training and development of applications appropriate to the local context. On the supply side, we work with private sector partners to build infrastructure and to aggregate the demand to the point where services are sustainable.

Leveraging a Spectrum of Technologies

Center experts leverage the potential of a broad range of technologies, often combining approaches and platforms based on the specific project needs. Examples range from: national wireless networks for Internet connectivity, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other applications; regional geographic information systems; computer labs in schools and colleges; back-office automation to support improved government services; commercial and public sector telecenters; handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) for decentralized data collection and access; and even ordinary broadcast radios for transmitting instruction and information.

Capacity Building & Training Solutions

Center teams focus their efforts to enable our international partners to develop the capacity to sustain their activities on their own. This capacity building approach goes beyond narrow ICT capacity to foster the ability to engage in broader organizational reforms and train people to manage complex systems.

Testing and Refining Innovations

In the context of a rapidly evolving technological environment, Center specialists are keenly aware of the need to test and apply emerging technologies to address educational and development challenges. We often experiment with new technologies and new approaches to technology applications so that we can identify new capabilities and learn how they may be applied in a development context.

Ensuring Sustainability

We put high priority on designing solutions that are appropriate to local contexts and can eventually be carried on without outside resources. Working very closely with our local partners, our center experts develop sustainability solutions for ICT projects, adapting lessons learned from ongoing experience and continuously testing sustainability models adapted to local project circumstances.