1. Towards Inclusive Development: ICTs and Changing Geometry of Information Flows within Communities Vikas Nath Founder KnowNet.org DigitalGovernance.org Transforming and Sustaining Inclusive Development Communities 19 September 2003 Amsterdam

2. ICT, Information Access and Flows Information Access Opportunities / avenues available to individuals to seek information from different sources. For instance from other individuals, institutions, and public domains and databases. Information Flow The supply / availability of information within a society. Information flows may be 'restricted' in some societies and 'open' in others.

3. Impact of ICT on Information Access Changes in "Information Access" can be analyzed along 3 dimensions: Sources of information Intensity of interactions, and Information types The impact is Positive/ Increasing in each of the cases.

4. Impact of ICT on Information Flow Changes in "Information Flow" can be analyzed along 2 dimensions: Information Production Information Broadcast The impact is Positive/ Increasing in each of the cases.

5. Schematic Representation of Impact of ICT on Information Access and Flow Pre-ICT SocietyPost-ICT Society

6. Geometry of Information Flows: The Missing Element ICT has paved way for more number of inter-linkages, increase in intensity of interactions, and greater opportunity to broadcast content to distant and transnational public domains It is evident that ICT enhances Information Access and Flows… and almost automatically in the project designs. But if the benefits of ICT for Development projects are to provide benefits to the disadvantaged communities and difficult to reach communities, then there is something critical missing in the project designs. And the missing element is the "Geometry of Information Flows."

7. What do we mean by Geometry of Information Flows: A detailed human-centric picture of information flows in a society. Focuses on "Who are the people" getting connected and are benefiting when there is an increase in information access and flow. AIM is to understand the distribution of "information" and "information flows" in the society, instead of focusing solely on enhanced communication. Which new constituencies/ target groups have been brought under the ICT networks? Has any relevant content started to flow to communities newly brought under the ICT networks? Does information flow to the disadvantaged communities increase, when there is a total increase in information access and flow?

8. Who are our Target groups that we want to reach out to, through ICT for Development projects? What are the key information needs of the disadvantaged community? What are the existing channels by which information reaches to thedisadvantaged community? What is the weakest link in the chain of information flows: from source to the disadvantaged communities? Guidelines for Shaping Geometry of Information Flows

9. Geometrically Sensitive ICTD Models for Developing Countries Wider Dissemination Model Wider Dissemination Model Critical Flow Model Critical Flow Model Comparative Analysis Model Comparative Analysis Model E-advocacy/ Lobbying and Pressure group model E-advocacy/ Lobbying and Pressure group model Interactive-Service Model Interactive-Service Model

10. Wider Disseminating Model Wider Disseminating ModelInformation: Public Domain Wider Public Domain Public Domain Information Wider Domain Laws and Legislations Laws and Legislations Local Govt. Offices and Officials Information Local Govt. Offices and Officials Information Government Budget, Plans and Expenditures Government Budget, Plans and Expenditures Key Judicial Decisions: state vs. citizen decisions Key Judicial Decisions: state vs. citizen decisions

11. Examples Brazil: Official Government Website www.brazil.gov.br South Africa: Idasa’s Political Information and Monitoring Service (PIMS) www.pims.org.za/monitor India: Directory of Government Ministries www.goidirectory.nic.in Armenia: Online forum for Democratic Participation www.forum.am

12. Critical Flow Model Critical Flow Model Critical Information: Private Domain Wider Public Domain Private Domain Information Wider Domain Corruption Information Corruption Information Enquiry reports, scientific research, impact studies commissioned by the Government Enquiry reports, scientific research, impact studies commissioned by the Government Company’s Green Ratings Company’s Green Ratings Human Rights Violations Records Human Rights Violations Records

13. Examples Bangladesh: Human Rights Portal www.banglarights.net www.banglarights.net Mexico: Declarenet www.declaranet.gob.mx www.declaranet.gob.mx El Salvador: Probidad www.probidad.org www.probidad.org India: Central Vigilance Committee www.cvc.nic.in www.cvc.nic.in Colombia: Transparent Municipalities www.paipa.gov.co www.transparencia.buga.gov.co

14. Comparative Analysis Model Comparative Analysis ModelInformation: Private / Public Domain + Public / Private Domain Wider Public Domain Public/Private Domain Wider Domain Public Domain Information Public/Private Domain

15. Comparative Analysis Model Based on Precedence Information Based on Precedence Information (time line) With and Without Information With and Without Information Court Rulings / Historical Archive Court Rulings / Historical Archive Tracking Performance Records / Financial Assets Growth of Ministers Tracking Performance Records / Financial Assets Growth of Ministers Electoral Candidates Information Bringing out Best / Worst Practices Bringing out Best / Worst Practices Disaster Response Comparative policies- Bt Cotton & Trademark Potatoes Campaign

16. Examples Argentina: Cristal (Budget comparisons and use of public funds) www.cristal.gov.ar Sri Lanka: Kothmale Project (Comparison of Education Indicators) India: Green Ratings of Chief Ministers www.cseindia.org India: Comparative Learning from Disasters www.nic.in

17. Mobilisation and Lobbying Model Mobilisation and Lobbying Model Building Allies / Networking Networks for Concerted Action Communities Virtual Community Networks Individuals Interest Groups CommonGoal Real Community

18. Examples Planned, Directed, Strategic flow of Information to build strong issue-based Allies / solidarity to complement action in Real World. (often through combination of other models) e- Signature Campaigns e- Signature Campaigns e-Groups on Agriculture e-Groups on Agriculture Zimbabwe Kubatana.net (using emails for lobbying) Zimbabwe Kubatana.net (using emails for lobbying)

19. Service Delivery Model Service Delivery Model USER SERVICE PROVIDER E-Government E- debates E-ballots E-procurement of services E-administration: taxes, parking tickets, licenses

20. Examples Brazil: Citizen Services Centre Mongolia: Citizens Information Centre Nepal: Municipal Services Online www.bharatpurmun.org.np India: Bhoomi Project (Karnataka) www.revdept-01.kar.nic.in Namibia: Parliamentary website for bill discussions www.parliament.gov.na

21. Basic Requirements Removal of Mind Barriers! Little recognition to people’s Knowledge and their ability to make Informed decisions. Creation and focusing on Intermediary Organisations Provide people access to ICT and impart skills and training on its use – Schools, NGOs, Post Offices. Education Levels Low literacy in developing countries implies lower capacity to learn and interact. Government as a Model Needs to have information-sharing culture INNOVATIONS

22. End Note  Strength of any ICT for Development Model is based on the strengths of Human Networks within which they operate, including a robust, active and questioning / inquisitive civil society.

23. For more information: Vikas Nath founder KnowNet.org Initiative DigitalGovernance.org A network of over 1800 individuals KnowNet@Knowetweaver.org or v.nath-alumni@lse.ac.uk