The Communication Initiative Network

DISCUSS: There is too much PROCESS in international development...

Much process per se is not bad, however when it comes with tunnel-vision, or when activity is measured rather than outcomes, ... it risks getting in the doldrums. Is the PROCESS in the doldrums? There are NO (or too few) OBJECTIVE SIGNS it is NOT! Today, imho, there is TOO LITTLE structuring and aligning of decision and reporting frames to reflect -- for each kind of stakeholders-- on what (not) to do to fight poverty: pico( what can a person do?), micro(what must firms do?), meso(what must industry/sector organisations do?), macro(region/country/globe - what must the public sector do, and within which scope?). A decision frame articulates for a stakeholder what outcomes must be reached, how such outcomes are measured (indicators) and what intervention-options are available. Moreover, benchmarking among peers (social comparison) could articulate what are problems to address, and what are proven options with the resource endowments. In this context, MDG have only been a very very first step. Just declaring them falls "a long road" short of providing the "strategy implementation" structures and tools to allow monitoring, evaluating and accounting (on pro-poor efforts and outcomes) in unison, and for ALL autonomous stakeholders involved. "Macro-level" calling for more funding is probably justified, but a proper strategy implementation system would as well emphasize and harness local resources, as illustrated by http://kpa.cclfi.org/ (Knowledge for Poverty Alleviation). If above "gap-hypothesis" is valid, what could be done to get the PROCESS out of the doldrums? By (i) gently harmonizing (dimensions and indicators) on scorecards and dashboards and doing the data-collection and monitoring -this is done already, primarily at the macro-level; (ii) by -- having "MDG Strategy Team" -- providing "translated" scorecards/dahsboards for key roles (e.g. for a nurse working in sub-saharan rural Africa, for the poultry-farming industry association, for an urban restaurant ); and (iii) by translating/comparing targets and allocating them to stakeholders and their successive "improvement "projects (poly-centric portfolios).. By doing this, for all stakeholders (besides the nurse, poultry-farming association and restaurant mentioned in previous paragraph), the "international development" PROCESS might produce more outcomes. Because, doing this (1) each stakeholder remains focussed on the primary (value adding) activity in which he or she has chosen a livelihood; (2) the effort that the stakeholder must dedicate to "monitoring and evaluation tasks" is dramatically reduced (compared to today's situation, where each and every stakeholder must "singly and severally" figure out how his or her effort can contribute to achieving MDG's, and how this should/can be measured). (Disclaimer: this is a solution hypothesis, briefly formulated). In the absence of an open and shared, transparent "global-goal-to-local-outcome " strategy implementation structure, lack of empowerment and outcome-accumulation will persist (not to use the term of wasteful competition).

The process today has caused many deceit among young adults who now believe that imorality is the base for a fashionable life

As notably known, International development is influenced by governments of rich nations that sets up guidelines / criteria in collaboration with financial institutions like world bank, IMF, etc.. that are bureacreatic in passing requested funding to developing nations. This sometimes breeds corruption and alliances of pro and against that hinders international development. Secondly the cost of borrowing with too many strings attached is also a factor in this process of International development. Thirdly poor governance in developing countries that don't respect human rights and abuse of power is a contributing factor too. And so forth....

The humane aspects of delivering assistance with all sincerity should prevail. Otherwise we will be talking this same stale topic for years to come. Syed TSH, 1 May 2008.

Señores Procesos Previo un afectuoso saludo, antes que nada debo indicarle he leído detenidamente el comunicado a cerca de la convocatoria sobre el concurso cuyo objetivo, es promover la incorporación de la temática de la gestión del riesgo / prevención y atención de desastres en la agenda periodística y reconocer el trabajo realizado, por los hombres y mujeres, en torno a este tema en los países de la Subregión Andina. De manera tengo la curiosidad e inquietud de participar en dicho concurso tomando en cuenta la fisiografía de mi región que tiene una variación topográfica desde quebradas y valles profundos hasta planicies y montañas que se encuentran por encima de los 5,000 msnm con una configuración agreste, en donde el riesgo es inminente, la vida de los pobladores se encuentran en alto riesgo, viviendas con alta vulnerabilidad siendo necesario realizar estudios especializados a fin de prevenir o mitigar los efectos de un probable desastre. Por estas consideraciones agradeceré tomarme en cuenta mi participación en este concurso Sin otro particular hallo propicio para enviarle las muestras de mi especial consideración y aprecio personal Saludos Adolfo

EDITOR'S NOTE: The contributions below refer to the previous web form ISSUE: Are the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] an effective instrument for ensuring improved life conditions for the poorest billion people?"

Not very effective

They are once governments and other stakeholders commit both political and financial. Communities should be capacitated to effectively partake in the development processes.

First and foremost I think the main problem in a poor country like Tanzania is civic awareness, we have corrupt leaders, clinging to power, empoverishng the majority. So my priority is to change the behaviours of voters, so that they can see the opposition as a legitimate force and as well as legitimate stakeholders in the political game. Once we eliminate this problem it will be ewasier to solve the rest because our country is full of resources but they are misused by greedy leaders.

YES BECAUSE ITS LIKE A DEVELOPMENT GUIDE.

YES. If properly handled can spur poorer countries to use their resources meaningfully to help their people.

IT WILL DEPEND ON STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE CONDITIONS OF THE POOR. THE POOR CAN EXPLAIN VIVIDLY HOW HIS/HER CONDITIONS COULD BE IMPROVED. CURRENTLY, THE RICH DECIDES FOR THE POOR HOW HIS/HER CONDITIONS CAN BE IMPROVED, THEREBY DEFEATING THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE MDGS IN MY OPINION

no body can say anything to this question except YES, BUT...... and the problem lies within this 'but', for one thing it reflects that current situation of the poorest billion people is too bad to be solved by 2015.. We're almost there, and still there's alot to be done. BUT if we use the MDG's for what they really are (as the first step on the road to improvements) and deal with them as such, then we're on the right tracks, and all the "but's" will turn into "and next...".

no they leave out young people from the scenario big time

yes, because it brings changes

In theory its great. The ever ambitious targets for the reduction of global poverty by 2015. Precisely how these goals are to be achieved remains a controversial question, given the unresolved debate about the respective roles of markets, donors and the state. This is also no different that the old Basics need approach advocated by the ILO n the late 1970s. MDGs also calls on rich countries to honor past, but as yet unfulfilled, pledges to contribute 0.7 percent of their GDP to aid in order to meet the basic needs of the poor and thereby break the cycle of poverty. However, critics question the capacity of aid to bring about the MDGs, pointing to the past failures of aid and the need for more fundamental changes in the institutions of government, politics and society before aid can be put to good effect.

It is a good approach if cooperation can be achieved on the local and governmental level

Yes. The authorities would then plan and implement stretegies and allocate funds accordingly. Everyone would work towards these goals.

yes. But the peculiarity of each community determines what goals are to be achieved first.

It is indeed an effective instrument for ensuring improved life conditions for the poor

I BELIEVE THEY ARE CRITICAL PARAMETERS FOR ENSURING IMPROVED LIFE CONDITIONS.ACTUALISING THE GOALS HOWEVER IS THE BIG CHALLENGE ESPECIALLY IN RESOURCE POOR SETTINGS WHERE SYSTEMIC INSTITUTIONAL DECAY CONTINUES TO BE A COG IN THE WHEEL OF PROGRESS

yes

Yes. Honestly, what do we have as a choice? Few instruments are in place with such a global scan on things.

IT IS AN EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENT IF WELL EXECUTED

Yes i belive that they really go along way to combat poverty in the LDCs. However, the powers that get hold of the funds ment for the dying humans actually use it to expand their wealth!!!  

Nice site!

Yes. But I think that the main difficult is how to develop regional plans to improve policies that can bring visibility to the world. In example, if Latin America adopt goals and realize them, the effect on public opinion around the world is massive. I think global decisions may win force by regional decisions.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The contributions below refer to the previous web form Issue: "What do you think about the One Lap Top per Child Initiative?".

Positive and have six G1G1 to deliver in July, 2008, to Educational Centre with 20 year partnership in Kenya (Eastern Province).

A nobleinitiative if the children will be working on their laptops in full stomachs and sitting not under trees but on reasonable desks in classrooms that are not of dusty earth floor and holey mud walls. Also when they are assured of constant energy supply

Ok

the one lap top initiative can not work all over the world because the developing countries have other basuc needs that are not in place

It's a very necessery and effective idea. But it will be tough to provide it for the child of developing countries.

Hooray!

Very good idea provided that children do not use the machine for watching prono items that are so aboundantly availale in internet web sites

it might be somebody's good business, so better do it, but be aware...

iF THE GOVERNEMNET CAN AFFORD &SUSTAIN IT- IT'S GOOD

Good idea on paper, but I think it would be more helpful to give children lessons on how to create a corruption free country.Corruption, not a lack of internet access is one of the main barriers to Africa's sustainable development.

Child labour Stop On Laptap peer Child

GREAT IDEA!ONLY NOW WE DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE INFRUSTRUCTURE ON THE GROUND TO SUPPORT IT.

Very strange because there are populations that do not have even basic needs ,hearing a lap top per child initiative is selfish term.Satsify the need of others while you enjoy the luxuries moderately.

Good idea, but what about issues of technical support, and sustainability?

its very good but i am just curious whether every child's going to have one laptop each in real life.

A nice idea by a nice guy. However, more important than the hardware would be to give children access, training and opportunities to exert their digital citizenship. Donors love investing in hardware, because it is more visible and theoritically, more reliable. Like buying land to transform in parks, rather than working with communities to ensure long term protection. I praise the initiative, but the focus is in the wrong place, unfortunatelly.

Two times food with basic education is much need of the hour rather than laptop for that child. Those 100 dollars can be made utilised for child medical insurance. --Kasinavrao

The One Lap Top per child will promote technology and speed up the process of globalization. This, if implemented in Africa, will take us a long way and improve our position in the commity of nations relatiove to development and the economy. By: Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei, Monrovia, Liberia pericle925@yahoo.com

Unrealistic. Laptops in South Africa are stolen all day long.

Good, of course, if it can be implemented and combined with courses on how to use it. Computer use goes hand in hand with literacy and the ability to cope in the modern world.

I took part in the Give One/Get One program which provide me with an XO computer and one for a young person in one of several countries. It's an amazing machine in terms of design, power consumption, protection against dust, water, and heat. How the educational software will work out may depend on the teachers, the educational system in the village or country where they end up. There is a lot of work to do in providing manuals and software useful for teachers. The project certainly upsets rival organizations like Leacocks' that send old power-hungry machines running Windows to places like Uganda which has terrible power shortages. However, there's room for all kinds of ICT projects whether they are from Intel, NGOs, OLPC, or DFID. I think OLPC has enough resources that it will continue (unlike the Simputer), but we will need a variety of ongoing evaluations to determine just how useful and effective the project is, compared to spending the money in some other ways.

Do the child's parent will have to sale their yearly food to buy the toy?

A great idea

I think it's ridiculous - why should the rest of the world start buying in to the sort of unbridled consumption that is a form of madness in the West?

i love that idea it was wonderful

The laptop being marketed as the green computer uses programming that is too limiting and too information specific. It needs to mirror certain conventions of adult computers so that children can make the transition and use them as they grow out of early childhood.

Its a positive contribution to raise awareness and provide low cost computers. Obviously there will be many people benefitting from the low cost computer but whether these are the real poor can be doubted. More important will be developing content which is in de demand by local communities. If the low cost computer will contribute to propel developing and disseminating content which will be beneficial and used by and for the poor it will be a success but I don't think that will happen yet.

I believe that this initiative will be very helpful to children. It will spark interest to learn more about specific topics. Digitized content or digitized learning materials that are interactive can be accessed by children.

Sounds exotic but if adults can have them why not children

We've worked with computers in Africa since 2002 and are, for all the positive publicity, skeptical of the initiative. Laptops are notoriously hard to fix. We were constantly getting requests to help repair them. There is little support for the Open Source platform or software these laptops will have. All our beneficiaries eventually wiped Open Source off for this reason. The units are portable and would easily be stolen if taken back to the village. It is hard enough to safeguard a locked computer lab from thieves. USA high schools where each student has a laptop can barely keep up with the problems, even with all our know-how. And finally, much of Africa is an oral society. Do we really want kids staring at a computer all through class instead of interacting with a teacher? --Ruth Leacock, Computers for Africa

My needs for the year 2008 is support to eomplement my efforts.It is true you memtion funding which is the based and main pillar for an effective communication and media development in any programme especially the the one we are doing.I will need support ranging from funding,information and training to any thing you think we help take us further.Our constant contact too is another form of support,since that will help to remind me that an not alone in this noble course.

An ability to search the archive and return with the search results based on various factors, including but not limited to the region/part of the world, area of development, monetary value invested in the effort, etc.

A much deeper understanding of local culture and symbolism. Too much communications work comes in with assumptions that don't fit.

planning and strategizing tools

Why not money - we all need it and this filed of media and communication for development has been starved of funds. But other than that what we most need is an opportunity with the major policy makers to convince them to expand their portfolio of strategies to include media and communication for developemnt perspectives