World changing: technology is an important ally in the fight against global poverty but only if it is delivered in a sustainable and practical manner

摘要

A few years ago in our Sri Lankan office I met a guy who, at the age of 12, had seen Practical Action work together with his community to install a microhydro scheme. The miraculous, life-changing impact of electricity made him decide there and then that one day he would work for us. Years later, post university and PhD he is now part of our team. At Practical Action we passionately believe that technology, in its widest sense, from cooking stoves to small-scale dams and improved farming techniques to wind-powered generation, is vital for poverty reduction. Moreover, a lack of technology keeps people in poverty — they don't have the tools that can act as a lever to escape.