in Zambia - NGO Pulse

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The Appendices include a list of available literature, a list of respondents who were consulted during the course of this research study, and the questionnaire which was distributed in paper or electronic format and which was used in the interviews and discussions. In addition, Appendix 5 presents seven examples of ICT projects currently ongoing in Zambia. A timeline for communications progress (Appendix 6) provides a snapshot of Zambia’s development since 1994. viii | P a g e
1. ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF ICT4D IN ZAMBIA 1.1 INTRODUCTION The role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in human development has received growing attention among development practitioners, policy makers, government and civil society in recent years. This has been attributed to the growing proliferation of the internet, convergence in IT and telecommunications technologies and increasingly the globalisation of society. While the issues of access and adoption of new technological trends in ICT have tended to focus on themes such as empowerment and the developmental potential of ICT, it has raised the issue of digital divide and the challenges for developing countries to participate in the global information society. The goals of many ICT policies in developing countries have until recently focused on access. This has however changed and there is now a growing movement towards social inclusion and an emphasis on developing human resource capacity. ICT for Development (ICT4D) is therefore characterised by a range of human, infrastructural, institutional and technological challenges which are determined by the socio-economic context in which ICTs are introduced. The extent to which ICT-enabled projects are successful often depends on people behave - either as conduits or as obstructive agents of change. This is important to understand in the ICT tripartite relationship between Information, Communication and Technology. Technology has usually overshadowed the other two as it deals with infrastructure, connectivity, networks and equipment. It is understood that technology plays an integral role in ICT4D, but should not be mistaken as a panacea but rather an enabler. The human factor which involves the participation of people and their motivation to adopt ICT-enabled development is still fundamental. ICT has to be a priority if developing countries are to achieve developmental goals, such as the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). ICTs play a crosscutting role in developmental issues and only once they are included in the broader national development goals, will countries attain their broader goals. To achieve the necessary impact, the emphasis has to be on development, with ICT as one of many enablers. 1.2 NATIONAL CONTEXT FOR ICT4D The Government of the Republic of Zambia has set development priorities in the National Development Plan for the period 2008 to 2012. These include education, agriculture (food security), wealth creation and the elimination of pandemics such as HIV/AIDS and malaria. While there is no direct integration of ICT in these areas it is at least mentioned, unlike previous plans where there was no reference at all to ICTs. This is no different from other countries in the region with similar economic and social scenarios. The difference will however arise when one looks at the ICT and national indicators and the priority areas the country has identified that will improve the livelihoods of its citizens. 1 | P a g e
Page 2 and 3: Country Research Partner: John Slai
Page 4 and 5: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In the first insta
Page 6 and 7: LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1
Page 8 and 9: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Information and C
Page 12 and 13: Box 1: Zambia - Basic Data Area (km
Page 14 and 15: 1.3 THE POLICY AND REGULATORY LANDS
Page 16 and 17: Five areas were prioritised as ones
Page 18 and 19: 1.3.4 ICT ACCESS AND USE The global
Page 20 and 21: • Few telecentre managers know ho
Page 22 and 23: 2. METHODOLOGY The methodology adop
Page 24 and 25: INTERNET There are close to 20 Inte
Page 26 and 27: A second issue is the annual 5% com
Page 28 and 29: CONVERGENCE The new ICT Bill addres
Page 30 and 31: women entrepreneurs were given loan
Page 32 and 33: 6. CONCLUSION The various scenarios
Page 34 and 35: APPENDIX 1: USEFUL RESOURCE MATERIA
Page 36 and 37: APPENDIX 3: LIST OF KEY STAKEHOLDER
Page 38 and 39: APPENDIX 4: COMMUNICATIONS PROGRESS
Page 40 and 41: network across Zambia. The Zambian
Page 42: APPENDIX 6: AUTHOR PROFILE John Sla

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