Mainstreaming ICTs: Africa Lives the Information Society

Compiled and edited by Women'sNet and OSISA (2005). ISBN: 0-620-35 399-6

Mainstreaming ICTs is a contribution towards efforts to bridge the "policy-practice" divide. The book is aimed at development practitioners and ICT innovators interested in inventive technology applications.

The book contains ten case studies reflecting on the innovative and creative ways Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been used to promote people-centred development in different Sub-Saharan African countries.

The collection also features five toolkits which offer useful resources for civil society groups wanting to utilise ICTs for developmental initiatives.

The document is available in PDF format [2.4MB]. 

Contents

Foreword

Part I: Case studies

• Introduction to case studies
• Women'sNet: recording women and gender issues
• Kubatana: an online community fro Zimbabwean activists
• SATELLIFE: using handheld computers to assist health workers
• Global teenager project: exchanging information and ideas across the global classroom
• MALICO VSAT connectivity project: enhancing Internet connectivity for libraries
• HP i-community: the role of the private sector in facilitating ICT for development
• Arid Lands Information Network: promoting rural development through satellite broadcasting
• CPSI Dokoza Project: demonstrating the power of mobile technology in enhancing public service delivery
• SchoolNet Namibia: empowering youth through Internet access in Namibia
• EKOWISA: disseminating information for social action and sustainable development 

Part II: Toolkits

• Introduction to toolkits
• Gender evaluation methodology
• The Martus human rights bulletin system
• NGO-in-a-box
• Strategic technology planning
• Building community wireless connectivity in developing countries
• Glossary