Dorothea Kleine at the UNESCO Chair/Centre in ICT4D Royal Holloway University of London Technologies of Choice? ICTs, development and the capabilities approach Masters in Practising Sustainable Development (ICT4D specialism) at Royal Holloway, University of London

Technology is not neutral „technology is society“ (Castells 1996:5) „technology is society“ (Castells 1996:5) mindsets and political agendas can be embedded in technology Norms and values are written into code (Lessig 1999) Norms and values are written into code (Lessig 1999) People‘s access to the Internet is mediated by framing institutions with specific norms and expectations (Wajcman 2004) People‘s access to the Internet is mediated by framing institutions with specific norms and expectations (Wajcman 2004)

ICT4 …. What kind of development?

Means vs. ends Economic resources … yet currently the dominant measure of development is economic growth

The need for a different approach to development: Econocentric Holistic Linear Systemic Top-down dialogue with citizen-users Supply-led Choice-led

Development can be seen as “a process of expanding the real freedoms that people enjoy” (Amartya Sen 1999:3) Focusing on the “substantive freedom – of people to lead the lives they have reason to value and to enhance the real choices they have.” ( Sen 1999:293) Focusing on the “substantive freedom – of people to lead the lives they have reason to value and to enhance the real choices they have.” ( Sen 1999:293) Capabilities: things people have reason to value doing or being Capabilities: things people have reason to value doing or being CA is key alternative to growth-focused development approaches CA is key alternative to growth-focused development approaches The capabilities approach : development as freedom

Operationalising the Capabilities Approach

the journey so far: steps towards CA operationalisation for the field of ICT4D (Garnham 1997, Mansell 2002, Madon 2003, Gigler 2004, Alampay 2006, Smith 2006, Johnstone 2007, Kleine 2007, Zheng 2007, Zheng & Walsham 2008; Oosterlaken 2009; Fernandez-Baldor, Hueso & Boni 2009; Spence & Smith 2010; Buskens 2010; Grunfeld 2011; Toboso 2011; Vaughan 2011; Zheng & Stahl 2011; Birdsall 2011; Coeckelbergh 2011; Seth et al. 2011; Srinivasan & Gagliardone 2011; Oosterlaken, Grimshaw & Janssen 2011 …) Forthcoming: Sammia Poveda on Sen, Freire & digital inclusion in Brazil Tony Roberts on capabilities, critical agency & participatory video in Zambia the journey so far: steps towards CA operationalisation for the field of ICT4D (Garnham 1997, Mansell 2002, Madon 2003, Gigler 2004, Alampay 2006, Smith 2006, Johnstone 2007, Kleine 2007, Zheng 2007, Zheng & Walsham 2008; Oosterlaken 2009; Fernandez-Baldor, Hueso & Boni 2009; Spence & Smith 2010; Buskens 2010; Grunfeld 2011; Toboso 2011; Vaughan 2011; Zheng & Stahl 2011; Birdsall 2011; Coeckelbergh 2011; Seth et al. 2011; Srinivasan & Gagliardone 2011; Oosterlaken, Grimshaw & Janssen 2011 …) Forthcoming: Sammia Poveda on Sen, Freire & digital inclusion in Brazil Tony Roberts on capabilities, critical agency & participatory video in Zambia

STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES institutions and organisations discourses policies and programmes formal and informal laws including: - Norms on usage of space - Norms on usage of time technologies and innovations including: access to ICTs - availability of ICTs - affordability of ICTs - skills needed for ICTs AGENCY SR PsR MR ER FR In NR CR GR Key: ER = Educational Resources SR = Social Resources PsR = Psychological Resources NR = Natural Resources In = Information MR = Material Resources FR = Financial Resources GR = Geographical Resources CR = Cultural Resources He = Health Ti = Time He DEGREES OF EMPOWERMENT existence of choice sense of choice use of choice achievement of choice Age Gender Ethnicity etc. Primary: Choice Secondary, as chosen by individual, e.g.: easier communication increased knowledge better/more social relationships healthy environment increased income increased mobility more voice more autonomy etc. CAPABILITIES Ti ACHIEVED FUNCTIONINGS (Kleine 2007, 2011, based on Alsop & Heinsohn 2005, DFID 1999) The Choice Framework

Ways of applying the Choice Framework a) Systemic mapping of development processes b) Designing and planning for choice

ICT policies in Chile

Chile   continued economic growth   low levels of corruption   High literacy level   Good IT infrastructure Potential for ICT-assisted development   High level of social inequality   High level of regional inequality Risk of digital divides along existing divides

Chile’s Agenda Digital  Regulatory Framework  Network of Infocentros  E-government (e.g. E-procurement, Chilecompra)  IT/digital literacy training  Supporting use of digital technologies in enterprises  Promoting digital innovation  Adapt judicial norms  Efficient funding for digital development

Deputy Director of the Chilecompra e-procurement system, Santiago de Chile, August 2005: The important thing is that people are proactive and are interested in doing better than others. We have to create the conditions and the tools in which they can do that […] This all has to do with the economic model in which Chile is developing itself. Yes, in the end this is a neoliberal market economy in which the lances all point in one direction so that the most efficient will win. [...]

I believe that essentially one has to invest much in education in the regions as well. Especially the rural sphere – how to include it in the wagon of productivity, in the engine of development. But at the same time this is difficult because there are also, obviously, the values of those communities - values that can be from another planet, even other spiritual beliefs! Deputy Director of the Chilecompra e-procurement system, Santiago de Chile, August 2005

Red Communitaria/ Telecenters (Infocentros)  Goals: SOCIAL INCLUSION and EQUAL OPPORTUNITY  Public computer and internet access points across the country  Free access  Small fee for printing etc.  Free IT-courses run by the digital literacy campaign

access Availability, affordability, skills (Gerster & Zimmermann 2003) Availability, affordability, skills (Gerster & Zimmermann 2003) also: (gendered) norms on the use of space also: (gendered) norms on the use of space also: (gendered) norms on the use of time also: (gendered) norms on the use of time

Gendered norms on the use of time In the beginning it was difficult [with the women] because the men come home in the evening and when things [at the IT training courses] take a bit more time, the men come home and the food is not ready. So [...] we told the women: you go do all the housework first and leave it ready and then you come here. (infocentro director, ID 20, F1)

Meeting people: Marta Castillo

Marta Castillo, microentrepreneur single mother, head of household (3 children, 1 grandmother) low income basic education used to be a „nana“ (cook/maid) in Santiago, excellent cooking skills Took free IT-course at the Infocentro Uses the Internet in the Infocentro to research recipes to diversify her production (diabetics etc.) hopes to organize women so they can provide jam etc. for local schools and hospitals

Marta Castillo’s media usage (Kleine 2007)

Marta Castillo, microentrepreneur As of March 2005, Marta had never used the public e- procurement system Chilecompra As of March 2005, Marta had never used the public e- procurement system Chilecompra Meanwhile (March 2005), the local hospital in Algún started using Chilecompra and regularly sourcing 24 jars of jam from a large distributor in Santiago (together with other food supplies) who offered the lowest prices. This brought costs down. Meanwhile (March 2005), the local hospital in Algún started using Chilecompra and regularly sourcing 24 jars of jam from a large distributor in Santiago (together with other food supplies) who offered the lowest prices. This brought costs down.

STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES institutions and organisations discourses policies and programmes formal and informal laws including: - Norms on usage of space - Norms on usage of time technologies and innovations including: access to ICTs - availability of ICTs - affordability of ICTs - skills needed for ICTs AGENCY SR PsR MR ER FR In NR CR GR Key: ER = Educational Resources SR = Social Resources PsR = Psychological Resources NR = Natural Resources In = Information MR = Material Resources FR = Financial Resources GR = Geographical Resources CR = Cultural Resources He = Health Ti = Time He DEGREES OF EMPOWERMENT existence of choice sense of choice use of choice achievement of choice Age Gender Ethnicity etc. Primary: Choice Secondary, as chosen by individual, e.g.: easier communication increased knowledge better/more social relationships healthy environment increased income increased mobility more voice more autonomy etc. CAPABILITIES Ti ACHIEVED FUNCTIONINGS (Kleine 2007, 2011, based on Alsop & Heinsohn 2005, DFID 1999) The Choice Framework

STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT OUTCOMES institutions and organisations discourses policies and programmes formal and informal laws including: - Norms on usage of space - Norms on usage of time technologies and innovations including: access to ICTs - availability of ICTs - affordability of ICTs - skills needed for ICTs AGENCY SR PsR MR ER FR In NR CR GR Key: ER = Educational Resources SR = Social Resources PsR = Psychological Resources NR = Natural Resources In = Information MR = Material Resources FR = Financial Resources GR = Geographical Resources CR = Cultural Resources He = Health Ti = Time He DEGREES OF EMPOWERMENT existence of choice sense of choice use of choice achievement of choice Age Gender Ethnicity etc. Primary: Choice Secondary, as chosen by individual, e.g.: easier communication increased knowledge better/more social relationships healthy environment increased income increased mobility more voice more autonomy etc. CAPABILITIES Ti ACHIEVED FUNCTIONINGS ecological limits

Conclusion

Conclusions - think development not as growth, but as freedom of people to live the lives they have reason to value - Individuals and communities may have very different values => radical pluralism of the capabilities approach - using the Choice Framework as a living tool – see what works for you

Conclusions II: Recognising multiple resources of income-poor people, respecting their agency Recognising multiple resources of income-poor people, respecting their agency never underestimating the agency of people in development, but also recognising that structures are powerful and need to be adjusted to support people’s agency never underestimating the agency of people in development, but also recognising that structures are powerful and need to be adjusted to support people’s agency Seeking out mechanisms to allow people to express choice Seeking out mechanisms to allow people to express choice e.g. Open and malleable technology e.g. Open and malleable technology participatory design of technology participatory design of technology recognising and negotiating ecological limits and social challenges voucher schemes participatory budgets/procurement

THINKING DEVELOPMENT BEYOND THE GROWTH PARADIGM PLANNING AND DESIGNING FOR CHOICE

Thank you! Comments & feedback Masters in Practising Sustainable Development (ICT4D specialism) at Royal Holloway, University of London Reviews: “landmark volume” “intellectually exciting, ethnographically rich, compelling, compassionate” “a most welcome new approach to ICT4D studies”