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Digital Dividend Digest vol. 47
July 23, 2004
CONTENTS
1. Lessons
From the Field: The "Tech" in Technology-for-Development
- Part II
2. New in the Digital Dividend
Clearinghouse: Shared-Access Computer, WebHealthCentre.com,
Police Portal
3. Special Opportunities:
AISI/OSISA Media Awards 2004, Global Knowledge Partnership
Youth Fellowship Program
1. Lessons From the
Field:
The "Tech" in Technology-for-Development - Part
II
Previous Digital Dividends' Lessons from the Field
articles have surveyed ICT-for-development through the lens
of traditional development sectors such as health, agriculture,
and microfinance. This feature shifts the focus slightly to
see the ways that affordable computing and connectivity are
being brought to underserved populations. This is the second
part of a three-part series that will look at affordable computing,
connectivity, and software aimed at the bottom of the economic
pyramid.
2 . New in the Digital
Dividend Clearinghouse: Shared-Access Computer, WebHealthCentre.com,
Police Portal
Eleven new projects have been entered since the last
Digest. Among the highlights:
Shared-Access Computer
Hewlett-Packard recently introduced its shared access
computer – a four-workstation computer, pre-loaded with
educational software – that is designed to meet the
needs of poor school districts in developing countries. Each
user station has a dedicated monitor, mouse, and keyboard.
The model boasts a total savings per user of approximately
60 percent when compared with the cost of purchasing four
traditional, standalone desktops.
WebHealthCentre.com
WebHealthCentre.com is a Web portal that offers free telemedicine
services, including free online health consultations, storage
of medical records, and interpretation of ECG/EKG and CT scans.
Patients can request appointments with their doctors using
the site’s online appointment system. Also available
are health calculators, directories of medical professionals,
and information about diseases and alternative medicine.
Police Portal
The Government of Kerala, India, has established an online
police portal to improve security in the city of Thiruvananthapuram.
Citizens can now report crimes via the Internet, where anonymity
eliminates the fear of harassment or retaliation. Message
boards promote responsible citizenship and encourage interaction
between police and the larger community. The system also links
the 18 police stations throughout the city, increasing the
flow of information.
3. Special Opportunities: AISI/OSISA
Media Awards 2004,
The Global Knowledge Partnership Youth Fellowship Program
AISI/OSISA
Media Awards 2004
The theme for the African Information Society Initiative (AISI)/Open
Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) Media Awards
2004 is "Promoting the Information Society in Africa." Any
radio, print, television, or community media piece that has
been broadcast or published by an African media institution
in 2003 or 2004 is eligible for submission. The judges will
select one winner and one runner-up for each category, based
on the degree to which the piece increased public awareness
and comprehension of the information society and analyzed
issues concerning equal access, policy and regulatory environment,
and the socioeconomic impact of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) on development. Entries must be in Arabic,
English, or French. Four winners will receive US$3,000 each
and four runners-up will receive US$1,500 each. The deadline
for submissions is July 31, 2004.
Global Knowledge Partnership Youth Fellowship Program
The Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) Youth Fellowship Program
(YFP) is offering internships to youth between 18 and 26 years
old who are self-motivated and technology savvy. The current
GKP framework is called "Youth Creating Digital Opportunities,"
and the YFP aims to increase the role of youth in the implementation
of Information and Communication Technology in developing
countries. Twelve GKP members are currently accepting applications
from students in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Egypt, India, Kenya,
Malaysia, Nigeria, and the Philippines. Ideal candidates will
be fluent in English, highly computer literate, and have a
demonstrated interest in the role of ICT in development. The
internships will be three months long (from September 2004
to November 2004) and will carry a stipend of US$700. The
host institution will also provide a monthly allowance to
cover personal expenses. The deadline for applications is
July 31, 2004.
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