From beedees to CDs : snapshots from a journey through India’s rural knowledge centres
Document type: report
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Abstract:
In October 2002, 25 people from 11 different countries participated in the first South-South travelling workshop on ICT-enabled development, organised by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). The participating practitioners, project managers, government officials and researchers were united by their keen interest in the contributions of multi-purpose knowledge centres in rural development. The visitors concluded that rural ICT centres, if properly designed and managed, can be much more than just access centres. They can become community owned knowledge centres that directly and indirectly empower people living in rural areas. This is a powerful notion that we expect will re-appear, especially in the countries from whence the workshop participants came. After two weeks bumping around rural Pondicherry, India, the multinational team of travellers1 identified 6 key issues that underlie the success of the MSSRF knowledge centres – which can be compared to telecentres, community access centres, Internet information centres or kiosks. The six factors, discussed in more detail in this research brief, are: sustainable utilization of local resources; knowledge empowerment and management; sustainability; gender empowerment; community involvement; and, technologies as tools.
Authors:
Ferguson, J.
Series Title:
IICD Research Brief
Country:
India
Category:
Practice
Serial number:
4
Keywords:
information and communication technologies
,
information services
,
knowledge management
,
communities
Language:
eng
Organization:
IICD - International Institute for Communication and Development
PAGE:
8
Place:
The Hague
Publisher:
IICD
Year:
2003
Region:
South Asia
Right:
© 2003 IICD
Subject:
Information, Knowledge and Communication
Title:
From beedees to CDs : snapshots from a journey through India’s rural knowledge centres