Vision
ICT can be used as a tool for development in many facets of society. From an economic standpoint, the dissemination of accurate information leads to more efficient markets, better enabling both suppliers and consumers to appropriately adjust prices and forecasts to maximise profits. Additionally, today's globalised workforce depends heavily on ICT literacy, so workers who possess these competencies have access to the large and growing pool of ICT professions. From an educational standpoint, ICT provides a portal to global forums for the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Millions of books, tutorials, and other educational materials can be accessed simply with a multimedia capable computer connected to the Web. From a healthcare standpoint, the latest advancements of mobile health information systems have already hinted at the tremendous benefits of coupling innovative technologies with medical provision in developing countries.
Our strategy can be presented in three words: education, accessibility and ownership. These are the pillars of development. Creating broadband networks or investing in computing capacity brings no results unless you have prepared the ground first. The Web and email are just technologies, not complete solutions. Therefore, Informaticiens Sans Frontières proposes a range of solutions that cover the critical problem areas of the Digital Divide. Education and communication are embedded and intertwined in our projects, which are specially adapted to the needs of the developing world.
At the highest levels of education, priority must be given to the proactive transfer of knowledge. We will not limit ourselves to teaching new technologies to students in the developing world through seminars and workshops. We will involve them directly in our research programmes, to help us develop new technologies that fit their needs. This is the recipe for truly sustainable development. ‘Owning’ a technology by participating in its creation is a major quality jump compared to ‘getting’ it secondhand. ISF's ‘CyberVolunteers’ programme is targeted at this kind of collaboration, by offering university students from developing countries the opportunity to join the most advanced research centres in the world for fellowships, and then implementing their skills by starting up new research centres back home.
Today's technological advancements have opened up unique opportunities that will allow us to dramatically improve the lives of millions of people around the world. The last century provided us with industrialisation, the Green Revolution and many other radical improvements. The 21st century is now seeing the Information Revolution, and we at ISF intend to use the spread of information and technology to affect positive, sustainable changes in the lives of the most neglected populations of the world. The time is now, and the sense of urgency is palpable. If we miss out on this opportunity, who knows how long we will have to wait to get another chance like this?