National Case Studies
Capturing the observations of young researchers
A Developing Connection: Bridging the Policy Gap between the Information Society and Sustainable Development is a collection of national case studies conducted by seven young researchers from six countries. The authors look at the emerging relationship between sustainable development (SD) and the information society (IS) in their countries. The book is a result of the "Information Society and Sustainable Development: Next Generation Policy Directions" project, based on a 2003 scoping study. The study assessed the potential for engaging researchers under 30 to link IS and SD policy-makers, and to catalyze relevant changes in policy and practice in developing countries. The project "created the space for research," which many young researchers lack. These individuals strengthened their capacities for research, writing and policy engagement through practice. The young authors also prepared national workshops and gave presentations at international meetings, gaining experience in engaging a variety of audiences, including other researchers, policy-makers and practitioners in the fields of IS and SD.
The papers can be downloaded as a collection in a single file or individually, below
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Towards a Sustainable Development View of Local Content using ICTs in South Africa: A Key Priority in the National Information Society Strategy (PDF - 254 kb) » Steve Vosloo Steve Vosloo discusses the intersections of sustainable development and the information society in his country. He finds a strong area of convergence in local content—the locally-owned or adapted knowledge of a community—which is essential for integrated sustainable development, and a key priority in South Africa's IS strategy.
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Using ICTs for Poverty Reduction and Environmental Protection in Kenya: The "M-vironment" Approach (PDF - 353 kb) » Wainaina Mungai Wainaina Mungai recommends employing e-environment and e-agriculture initiatives as a way to address poverty reduction and presents the "M-vironment Framework" as a useful platform.
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Women as Professionals in the Costa Rican Information Technology Sector: Exploring the Relationship Between Sustainable Development and Gender Gaps in the Information Society (PDF - 281 kb) » Margarita Salas Margarita Salas' piece highlights the importance of diversity in the IT sector for economic and social sustainability and suggests specific tools for improving the current gender imbalance in Costa Rica's IT industry.
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Capturing Grassroots Voices in the Information Society and Sustainable Development: The Policy Dialogue in India
(PDF - 231 kb) » Anusha Lall and Atanu Garai Anusha Lall and Atanu Garai focus on to express environmental concerns in the rural development context and show how grassroots views can be incorporated into national policy formulation using ICTs. -
Socializing Knowledge and Reducing Regional Inequalities: Strategies for Brazil (PDF - 190 kb) » Diogo André de Assumpção Diogo André de Assumpção examines "socialization of knowledge" as the process of making specific knowledge accessible and available where it is useful and necessary.
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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Egypt: Supporting Natural Resource Management and Local Development
(PDF - 209 kb) » Amira Sobeih Amira Sobeih considers the potential of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support natural resource management and local development in her piece. Recognizing the issues of limited access, training and capacity building, the paper offers a model that can help meet a real demand for the use of Global Information Systems (GIS) to support local development in Egypt. -
Mobile Telephony as an Enabler of Environmental Action in the Philippines (PDF - 306 kb)
» Dolma T. Dongtotsang and Robert A. Sagun The authors give an overview of SMS-based environmental initiatives aimed at advancing environmental action and involving concerned citizens to report on environmental threats like smoke-emitting vehicles, mismanagement of water resources, illegal logging, and industrial water and air pollution. Note: This paper was not published in the book, A Developing Connection.
The collection of papers, "A Developing Connection: Bridging the Policy Gap between the Information Society and Sustainable Development" was launched at the World Summit on the Information Society, November 2005, Tunis, Tunisia.
Supporters
IISD gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
Key Publication
Internet Governance and Sustainable Development: Towards a Common Agenda
» Don MacLean, Maja Andjelkovic, Tony Vetter, IISD, 2007.Early in 2007, in collaboration with partners and stakeholders, IISD commissioned exploratory papers to be written from the perspective of the Internet governance and sustainable development communities, with the aim of discovering where links between these two communities of researchers and practitioners could be fostered. Can a dialogue between them contribute to mitigating degradation of natural and human environments in developed and developing countries, help avoid the economic marginalization of developing countries facing digital exclusion from global markets, and help maintain and promote cultural diversity and traditional knowledge? Internet Governance and Sustainable Development contemplates such questions and stimulates further dialogue. More...
Our Knowledge
» Themes
- Adaptation and Risk Reduction
- Climate Change and Energy
- Economics and SD
- Foreign Investment for SD
- Governance for Sustainable Development
- Internet and Technology
- International Trade
- Measurement and Assessment
- Natural Resources
- Networks & Partnerships
- Security
- Sustainable Markets
- Tomorrow's SD Leaders
» Initiatives
- Water Innovation Centre (WIC)
- The Sustainable Commodity Initiative (SCI)
- Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI)
