Afrikadag 2008: One Laptop per Child

During the Afrikadag 2008 in The Hague, IICD organized a workshop on “The 100$ Laptop: how can you make innovative solutions work in developing countries?” Professor Gerd Junne of the University of Amsterdam chaired the debate between Inneke Aquarius (Butterly Works), Prabhu Kandachar (Delft University), Stijn van der Krogt (IICD) and Petra Wentzel (Atos Origin). Discussion mainly focused on two questions: What are the preconditions to introduce a 'One Laptop per Child Programme' (OLPC)? What could be problems for the introduction of such a programme?

Concerning the preconditions, Inneke Aquarius argued that the 100$ laptops should just be distributed to see what happens, because changing the educational system is too complex and slow. Stijn van der Krogt and most other discussants disagreed and put more emphasis on the integration of the OLPC initiative in a comprehensive educational programme. Government, business, teachers and parents of participating schools have to accept, embrace and shape the idea. The national educational system has to be adapted, and teachers have to be trained by other locals (and not Europeans) how to incorporate laptops in their lessons and to develop their own content and software.

“We need to trust in their capabilities, and they will do it!”, Stijn van der Krogt argued. Only a bottom-up instead of a top-down approach will prepare the way for a 'OLPC success.

As for the challenges, Prabhu Kandachar identified affordability, acceptability and accessibility. A solution could be to gradually introduce the 100$ laptops in participating countries so that local lessons could be learned. Other challenges such as the plastic waste or maintenance of the laptops could also be opportunities as they will stimulate local entrepreneurship and create new business models and employment.

Other issues raised from the discussants and the audience: Will the laptops be used for an educational purpose, or just for personal communication? Won't the laptops be taken away from the children to be sold to much higher prices, and is that even more likely when the laptops are given away free? What is the hidden agenda of competing products, such as the Intel Classmate PC?

See also euforic newsfeeds from IICD and on education and ICTs.

Story by Birthe Paul

Do mobile phones make a difference?

The 5th edition of Fill the Gap organised by Hivos, OneWorld Netherlands, IICD and debating centre De Balie, focused entirely on how mobile phones can really make a difference in African development. And more in particular on social, economic, and political aspects.

The case studies about small enterprises and farmers livelihoods clearly indicated a positive impact on their respective sectors. In the private sector, mobile phones are being used to increase sales and for management purposes. In rural areas, the mobile phone is used to collect market information and prices of goods and products, complementary to the traditional ways of information dissemination via notice boards, images, and radio. Obviously, issues such as illiteracy, cost, and connectivity are important factors in the introduction and use of new communication tools.

In the political arena, mobiles are a powerful mobilisation device for civil society – for instance during elections - allowing people to produce their own news and avoid the mainstream media and even censorship. Provided that governments or operators do not close the communication networks!

This all sounds very positive and stimulating, but there is a big proviso. For mobile phones to be effective in fostering development, a series of preconditions need to be fulfilled. People need mobile networks that are reliable, affordable, and have a high coverage. And they need to know how to use them properly for specific purposes. As one speaker phrased it ‘There’s nothing magic about the mobile phone. The pencil has revolutionised more !’.

It was generally concluded that the current market solutions and lack of favourable government policies only widen the technological and economic gaps and undermine solidarity in society. In that perspective, NGOs need to put a lot of pressure on companies and governments to make sure that information and communication technologies become within reach of all Africans.

See also Euforic’s dossier on information, knowledge and communication, the posting by Ethan Zuckerman of Global Voices Online, and the article by IICD

Story by Jacques van Laar

I collaborate, e-collaborate, we collaborate

The Euforic member IICD (International Institute for Communication and Development) and PSO (Capacity Building in developing countries) recently published the booklet 'I collaborate, e-collaborate, we collaborate' with experiences and insights in using e-tools for development.

The publication contains stories of Dutch-based NGOs which have use e-tools in their daily work. It explains how tools like Skype, Wiki, Teamspeak or Del.icio.us can be used by development workers.

Find additional information on Euforic's Web2.0 dossier.