"Volume 1 looks at the introduction, adoption, and utilization of ICTs at the community level. In various contexts – geographical, technological, socioeconomic, cultural, and institutional – the book explores the questions of community participation. It looks at how communities in sub-Saharan Af
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rica have reacted to the changes brought about by the introduction of these new ICTs and, in detail, presents both the opportunities and the challenges that ICTs present for community development. The book will be useful for both researchers and development practitioners active, or just embarking upon, an “ICT for development” program. It will also be a very useful reference tool not only for academics but also for policymakers, decision-makers, and development professionals interested in the issue." (Publisher description)
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"Die Texte des vorliegenden Bandes, eine Übersetzung der englischen Originalausgabe aus dem Jahr 2001, diskutieren, wie angesichts zunehmender staatlicher Kontrolle von Netzinhalten und starker wirtschaftlicher Interessen Freiheit im Netz immer noch möglich sein kann. In einem globalen Streifzug d
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urch die Kultur des Internets analysiert Geert Lovink verschiedene Netzwerke, Institutionen, informelle Strukturen und deren Erfahrungen. In einem lebendigen Prozess zwischen Hoffnungen, Visionen, Scheitern und Weiterentwicklungen entstehen auch nach dem Ende der Internet-Euphorie weiterhin neue Geschichten von sozialer Phantasie, übertriebenen Erwartungen und streitbaren Lernprozessen. Diese Mikrogeschichten gegenwärtiger sozialer Bewegungen im Netz führen den Autor zu einem Plädoyer für einen "radikalen Pragmatismus". Darunter versteht er die Übernahme sozialer Verantwortung bei der Gestaltung des Internets als sozialen Raum. Die Ankunft in der Realität heißt aber auch Abschied nehmen von den Illusionen über das Internet als ein sich selbst regulierendes herrschaftsfreies Gebiet." (Klappentext)
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"This study sets out, for DFID staff, the fundamental principles underlying a proposed approach to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and development, and draws from those principles a set of recommendations for DFID's priorities in this area. For the purposes of this study, ICTs are
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defined as technologies that facilitate communication and the processing and transmission of information by electronic means. This definition encompasses the full range of ICTs, from radio and television to telephones (fixed and mobile), computers and the Internet. … The study concludes that access to ICTs should not be seen as an end in itself; the measure of success remains progress towards reaching the International Development Targets, rather than the spread of technology or bridging the digital divide. However, addressing the information and communication needs of the poor and creating information rich societies is an essential part of efforts to tackle poverty. Properly deployed, ICTs have enormous potential as tools to increase information flows and empower poor people. DFID and other development partners should work closely with developing countries to maximise the contribution of the full range of ICTs to achieving the International Development Targets." (Summary, page 4)
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