The Gate(s)way

摘要

The ICT for development field has been strewn with failed initiatives. For many years you haven't had to travel far in any developing country to find some school, community centre or kiosk facility with broken computers and no visible signs of activity. The problems that lead to these failures were usually clear. Sustainability arising from local resource input was seldom sufficiently present, and the project schemes were all too often structured around what potential users ought to want. Sadly, much goodwill and considerable financial commitment on the part of NGOs and governments failed to intersect with the distinctive environment, human preferences and the financial capability of communities.