ICT4D: Stakeholders DSV, University of Stockholm

Session objective To understand the range of different stakeholders working in international development and ICT4D: ● Identifying the main groups ● Recognising the differences and similarities ● Exploring partnership between stakeholders ● Understanding why this matters

Rationale If we understand who is involved in ICT4D we can take more intelligent action… We can understand the motivation, agenda, objectives, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of different stakeholders in ICT4D

Definition A stakeholder is anyone (individual, family, organisation) who influences and / or is influenced by the issue / project or programme in question.

Introducing the stakeholders

Academics Established International NGOs (INGOs) Inter-government Organisations (IGOs) Foundations Tech-specific social enterprises Northern tech- specific NGOs Network organisations Southern tech- specific NGOs Individuals Multi-national Corporations (MNCs) Government donors

Academics

Southern tech-specific NGOs

Northern tech-specific NGOs

Established international NGOs (INGOs)

Government donors

Inter-government organisations (IGOs)

Tech-specific social enterprises

Network organisations

Multi-national corporations

Foundations

Individuals All of us!

What do these different stakeholders offer to ICT4D?

Assessing the role of stakeholders What understanding of ‘development’ do they promote? Is ICT4D at the core or periphery of their activity? Is ICT4D a direct or indirect consequence of their activity? What are their biggest strengths / weaknesses in ICT4D? Where is the decision making / financial power concentrated? What contribution do you think this stakeholder brings to ICT4D?

Partnership between stakeholders in ICT4D – a clash of values?

MDG 8, Target 18: ‘In cooperation with the private sector, make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communication technologies’.

Partnership: Lots of optimism about the benefits of Multi-stakeholder Partnerships (MSPs) in ICT4D Limited evidence of their effectiveness Potential clash of expectations / ethos / values Potential to harness unique benefits / strengths of each stakeholder

Partnership: Study conducted by the ICT4D Collective at RHUL – a DFID systematic review of ICT4D and partnerships (2011): Effective ICT4D partnership requires five difficult components: trust, honesty, openness, mutual understanding, respect Partnership requires genuine risk sharing Partnership should be judged on outcomes

Next steps ● Considered the main stakeholders in ICT4D ● The importance of understanding the differences and similarities – the strengths and constraints of each ● How partnership works – and how ICT4D provides unusual opportunities and challenges ● Explore the resources on the iLearn portal