About ICT4D
" Learning from Information and Communication
Technology for Development (ICT4D) Research to
Enhance Policymaking
( Philippines ) "
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"Learning from Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) Research to Enhance Policymaking ( Philippines )" is a joint project of the Department of Science and technology (DOST) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada . The project aims to identify the transformational impact of ICT on Philippine society and from the learnings distilled from the different ICT4D projects undertaken, transform these learnings into policies and actions. ICT4D includes digital and interactive technologies as well as technologies which provide for interfaces between traditional and new technologies. The use of those technologies should be development-oriented.
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OBJECTIVES
General
The general objective of this program is to examine past and current ICT projects for their transformational impacts on Philippine society; and to distill critical learning for ICT decision/policymaking, planning and programming.
Impact or effect is viewed as transformations on the quality of life of Filipinos, in terms of human development, empowerment, gender sensitivity, democratic participation, decentralization and self-determination, enterprise development, among other things. The Project is particularly interested to look at effects on rural poor, women and indigenous people, and development s in the island of Mindanao .
The program also emphasizes documenting these learning in a series of research publications aimed at policymakers, program managers and researchers.
Specific
- To consult and connect with stakeholders and supporters of ICT4D for buy-in, convergence, mainstreaming of important issues, resource sharing, and better impact of ICT4D research and research results;
- To constitute a multi-disciplinary National Steering Committee which will commission, and support studies to review, inventories and classify important ICT4D projects carried out in the country to examine issues with policy implications;
- To organize a project team which will put in place, and manage, a grants programme to carry out cross-cutting research studies that will influence decision/policymaking through research and evidence-based recommendations;
- To synthesize learning from ICT4D studies according to themes and issues;
- To identify ICT4D research gaps in relation to rapidly evolving technologies and country environment;
- To publish, and create discussion platforms with decision and policymakers, of the project's research results and learning, which include gender-segregated information;
- To contribute to decision/policymaking which impacts pro-poor (rural) programs.
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- An inventory, and a digital database, of important ICT4D projects carried out in the country; published in print and on the web.
- A synthesis of the learning from the inventory, organized in themes and issues; published in print and on the web as policy and/or learning briefs.
- A dynamic and convergent ICT4D research agenda; considering the interests of various stakeholders, the research gaps, the fast pace of technology and resources available; published in print and on the web as a guide for researchers.
- A grants mechanism in place to review proposals, support and monitor studies.
- A publication and dissemination forum series, resulting from every research supported; published in print and on the web.
- An interactive discussion platform with policymakers to influence policies and programming on ICT4D research and investment.
- Cited inputs from the Project in the formulation of ICT4D policies.
USERS AND BENEFICIARIES
The main users of the study results under this Project are the policymakers, in particular those of Information Technology and e-Commerce Council (ITECC), which sets the strategic road map and the vision of "An e-enabled society where empowered citizens have access to technologies that will provide quality of education, efficient government service, greater source of livelihood, and a better way of life.
In addition to ITECC, policymakers include those in the different line departments of government; local government units; relevant organizations in the private sector and civil society which are involved in and/or using ICT in their line of work.
As well, ICT researchers are targeted to ensure that their work respond to real needs and concerns of the Philippine society.
ACTIVITIES
The Project has a National Steering Committee which will commission, support studies to review, inventories and classify important ICT4D projects carried out in the country. This ICT4D Inventory is undertaken to determine what ICT4D projects have been done or are ongoing in the country. The results of the inventory will be processed to identify issues, gaps, learnings and research themes. These information will guide the Project in its work, as well as provide inputs in the development of a Philippine ICT4D agenda, in general, and ICT4D research agenda, in particular.
The Committee will also manage a Grants Program to carry out cross-cutting research studies that will influence policymaking based from research and evidence-based recommendations. Philippine ICT policymakers and researchers will be learning from each other in drawing and analyzing lessons and results of important project undertakings. Study will be based on the following broad themes: Infrastructure / Access, Social Services / Education, Political / Governance / Empowerment, and Economic / Livelihood.
The Project also emphasizes documenting these learning in a Series of Research Publications aimed at policymakers, program managers and researchers. The Project has a build-in budget for the publication of research results of important ICT4D themes. Each supported study will have a built-in budget for publication to come up with a publishable synthesis or evaluation report. This publication budget includes editorial and printing costs.
To create awareness about the Project, creative strategies are being employed to reach a wide variety of stakeholders. The ICT4D Conferences in Luzon , Visayas and Mindanao is expected to bring together stakeholders, practitioners and advocates of ICT4D initiatives in the country. Government, private sector, academe and the civil society will convene to look into and make proposals for action, as appropriate on each case. It will serve as a venue for disseminating and sharing information on existing ICT4D projects and gather stakeholders' inputs and feedbacks to enrich the ICT4D inventory and research themes towards the formulation of a Philippine ICT4D research agenda.
The main users of study results are the policymakers in the different departments of government, local government units, relevant organizations in the private sector and civil society which are involved in using ICT in their line of work as well as researches to ensure that their work cater to real needs of ICT in the Philippines.
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