Title: Towards an Information Society in Botswana: ICT4D Country Report
Authors: Balulwami Grand, Stephen M Mutula, Peter M. Sebina, Saul Zulu
Pages: 86 pp.
Source: Botswana Thetha ICT Discussion Forum
Publisher: Department of Library and Information Studies University of Botswana and Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT)
Date (published): 08/03/2010
Date (accessed): 10/03/2010
Type of information: research report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
The Thetha - Regional ICT Discussion Forum Project is an initiative of SANGONeT aimed at tracking ICT4D initiatives in SADC member states and facilitating networking and dialogue among civil society organisations, academia, government organisations, corporate sector and development agencies to share information and experiences of the different countries in this regard. The Thetha project is funded by the Embassy of Finland (South Africa) and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA), and is administered by SANGONeT.
The Botswana Thetha - Regional ICT Discussion Forum is organised through the partnership of the Department of Library and Information Studies (University of Botswana) and SANGONeT. A similar event was co-hosted by BOCONGO and SANGONeT - dubbed the Botswana ICT Discussion Forum - in Gaborone from 5-6 October 2006. The Forum at that time sought to provide a platform for discussing the Maitlamo ICT policy which was at that stage a draft document. The policy was subsequently enacted by Parliament in 2007 and is the foundation upon which ICT4D initiatives are being undertaken in Botswana. The policy, for example, aims at creating an enabling environment for the growth of an ICT industry in Botswana, the provision of universal service and access to information and communication facilities and making Botswana an ICT hub for the region. It is therefore timely to review again what progress has been achieved not only after the enactment of the 'Maitlamo' policy but also with regard to WSIS, AISI, the SADC IT protocol and Vision 2016.

Title: African Nations with Active National ICT Plans
Author Editor:
Source: Online Africa
Date (published): 05/03/2010
Date (accessed): 08/03/2010
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Below is a list of African nations with relatively current and well-publicized ICT plans.

via http://www.ictworks.org/

Title: Network Developments in Support of Innovation and User Needs
Authors: James Enck, Taylor Reynolds
Pages: 70 pp.
Publisher: OECD, Working Party on Communication Infrastructures and Services Policy
Date (published): 09/12/2009
Date (accessed): 17/02/2010
Type of information: report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
High-speed broadband networks are a platform supporting innovation throughout the economy today in much the same way electricity and transportation networks spurred innovation in the past. New innovations such as smart electrical grids, tele-medicine, intelligent transportation networks, interactive learning and cloud computing will require fast communication networks to operate efficiently.
Telecommunication companies have been investing to upgrade their older copper and coax cables to new fibre lines which have vastly larger capacity but the economic crisis has threatened to halt this investment just when consumers and businesses are using more Internet bandwidth. Telecommunication investment largely mimics GDP (gross domestic product) growth - but in a more exaggerated way.

Many governments have stepped in to fill the gap using stimulus funds to pay for new broadband networks. But there has been significant debate about whether these investments make economic sense, particularly as governments are entering into an area which has recently been entrusted to the private sector.
This report helps put these interventions in perspective by showing that government investments could be justified based on just small direct benefits in just four key sectors of the economy – electricity, health, education and transportation. Just a small cost reduction across these four sectors resulting from the new networks could justify the government spending.

Title: ICTs for Development: Improving Policy Coherence
Pages: 207 pp.
ISBN: 9789264077409
Publisher: OECD
Date (published): 22/01/2010
Date (accessed): 27/01/2010
Type of information: research report
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
Information communication technologies (ICTs) are crucial to reducing poverty, improving access to health and education services and creating new sources of income and employment for the poor. Being able to access and use ICTs has become a major factor in driving competitiveness, economic growth and social development. In the last decade, ICTs, particularly mobile phones, have also opened up new channels for the free flow of ideas and opinions, thereby promoting democracy and human rights.

The OECD and infoDev joined forces at a workshop on 10-11 September 2009 to examine some of the main challenges in reducing the discrepancies in access to ICTs and use of ICTs between developing countries. The workshop discussed best practices for more coherent and collaborative approaches in support of poverty reduction and meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

There is much work to be done on improving policy coherence and there is a need to engage more actively with partner countries. Making the most of ICTs requires that they are seen as part of innovation for development, rather than just another development tool.

This publication examines access to ICTs, as a precondition to their use; broadband Internet access and governments' role in making it available; developments in mobile payments; ICT security issues; ICTs for improving environmental performance; and the relative priority of ICTs in education.

Title: ICTs in School Education - Outsourced versus Integrated Approach
Author: Gurumurthy Kasinathan
Pages: 4 pp.
Publisher: IT for Change (ITfC)
Date (published): 31/08/2009
Date (accessed): 02/12/2009
Type of information: policy brief
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
A number of state education departments in India are launching computer learning programmes in schools. The predominant model for this programme is to outsource the entire program to vendors. However a few states like Kerala have successfully insourced this program, by building in-house apacities to conduct this program. This paper "Policy Brief on ICTs in School Education", discusses outsourced versus integrated models in this area, drawing from our research in two states of India. The research learly demonstrates the superiority of integrated models to outsourced/PPP models. The implications of this study for policy are critical. This study can help education departments avoid the pitfalls experienced by earlier programs and help them make an informed choice in deciding a model for their computer learning program.