Between the 1970s and 1980s appropriate technology (AT) become a worldwide grassroots innovation movement that sought to redefine technology as a tool for development. In South America, AT emerged in a context of political upheaval between the challenge of political repression and the influence of new forms of activism and […]
appropriate technology • grassroots • innovation • Latin America • policy • social changeShiny Objects and Salvation: Navigating New Technologies for Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation
Mark Oppenneer, Ethnos Project Director, presented this keynote address at El Primer Congresso Internacional Patrimonio Cultural y las Nuevas Tecnologias. The conference was held at El Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) in Mexico City, December 2014. See the video side-by-side with the presentation slides Learn more about the […]
2014 • appropriate technology • cultural heritage • culture | preservation • INAH • indigenous / traditional knowledge • intangible • language | preservationAppropriate Technologies in the Globalized World: FAQs
Technological innovation over the past century has revolutionized our society’s ability to solve problems. A byproduct of this movement is the advent of appropriate technology, an approach to address challenges in the developing world through creative and people focused product development. Appropriate technology (AT) recognizes that social, environmental, cultural, political, […]
2014 • appropriate technology • design • development • engineering • human-centeredCalling all failures – curating a collection of cautionary tales
A few years ago, I stumbled across a discussion on Facebook that briefly mentioned the Ethnos Project. I wasn’t able to find it again for reference, but I recall that one of the participants had come away from this site with the feeling that the project (or rather, I as its creator) […]
appropriate technology • cultural heritage • failure • ICT4D • ICTs • unintended consequencesDesigning a More Equitable Internet
My research is concerned with the design of appropriate and accessible information systems serving the needs of poor, indigenous, remote and otherwise marginalized communities in the developing and developed world. I am also broadly interested in the impact that new kinds of data and communications tools can have for improving […]
2011 • appropriate technology • ICT4D@Penn • impact of | ICTs • internet • researchAppropriate Computing Technologies for Development (ACT4D)
The ACT4D research group at IIT Delhi designs and builds information and communication technologies focused towards emerging, developing, bottom of the pyramid regions of the world. Why are we doing this? Many reasons. First, these regions are poor and typically remain untouched with technology unless companies discover ways to monetise […]
appropriate technology • development • ICT4D • ICTs • researchAptivate
What do we do? We are an NGO and not-for-profit organisation that provides IT services for international development. We work on both grant funded projects and direct partnerships with NGOs. We collaborate with NGOs to strengthen the use of IT in their programmes. We offer impartial advice on strategy, policy, […]
appropriate technology • development • ICT4D • mobile • policyCatapult Design
The majority of our world’s population lacks access to life’s basic needs. We develop and implement human-centered products to help them thrive. Technology can empower and liberate. A single, effective product has more potential for worldwide impact – by providing clean water, food, shelter, or income – than any other […]
appropriate technology • consultancy • design • development • social changeKopernik: Technology Marketplace
Kopernik is a registered public charity with tax exempt 501(c)(3) status in the United States which has set up an online marketplace to bridge the gap between innovators, developing communities and financial supporters in order to distribute life-changing technology effectively to the developing world. Kopernik (Copernicus’ Polish name) is known […]
appropriate technology • development • ICT4D • innovationMobile Technologies for Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge in Rural Communities
In this paper we explore the opportunities of mobile technologies in three of our own development endeavors with rural communities, promoting the preservation of indigenous knowledge. We reflect upon and recognize the fact that the representation of indigenous knowledge will be transformed within the digitalization process under the limitations and […]
2013 • appropriate technology • culture | preservation • indigenous / traditional knowledge • mobile • representation • ruralBest Practice in ICT4D: A Conversation
Access to information can transform lives, livelihoods, and spiritual wellbeing. This is particularly true in places where access to information has been hindered by economic, geographic, or social barriers. Today, the rapidly growing reach of cell phone and other modern communications technologies holds tremendous potential to overcome some of these […]
appropriate technology • best practice • development • empower • ICT4D • interviewCrisscrossed (Christian Kreutz’s blog)
This blog aims to analyze potentials in the interface of technology and social innovation, and also the challenges of the digital age. It focuses on tools such as internet — it’s impact, potential and challenges it faces within different cultures around the world. It also approaches network learning and highlights […]
appropriate technology • challenges • development • impact of | ICTs • innovation • knowledge managementICT4D Collective and Multidisciplinary Centre for ICT4D at Royal Holloway, University of London
The site of the ICT4D Collective and Multidisciplinary Centre for ICT4D at Royal Holloway, University of London. The Collective was initiated in 2004, in 2007 it was awarded the status of a UNESCO Chair in ICT4D, and in 2009 it became an official Research Centre at the College. The Collective […]
appropriate technology • development • ICT4D • ICT4D Collective at Royal Holloway • sustainabilityD-Lab at MIT
D-Lab is a program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that fosters the development of appropriate technologies and sustainable solutions within the framework of international development. D-Lab’s mission is to improve the quality of life of low-income households through the creation and implementation of low cost technologies. D-Lab’s portfolio […]
appropriate technology • development • poverty reduction • sustainabilityYankana: Technology for Social Action
Yankana is a project developed and maintained by Fundapi, an Ecuadorian NGO nonprofit that promotes the use of technologies for social action by individuals and organizations. The purpose of this site is to highlight use cases and experiences in this area in order to educate those interested in the subject […]
appropriate technology • Ecuador • social changeIndigenous Commission for Communications Technologies in the Americas (ICCTA)
ICCTA’S Mission To promote the appropriate use and development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to strengthen the recovery of the roots of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas and their legal, political, social, educational, cultural, spiritual and economic well-being. Slideshow about the ICCTA ICCTA Strategic Plan The objective of […]
appropriate technology • digital divide • ICT4D • ICTs • indigenous communitiesTHINK! (The Innovation Knowledge Foundation) Scribd Shelf
THINK! (The Innovation Knowledge Foundation) is an international no-profit research institute – a think tank – whose aim is to collect, process, share and circulate information concerning the ways in which ICT and digital technologies can enable innovation processes, economic growth and human development in mature, emerging and less developed […]
appropriate technology • development • ICTs • innovation • researchIndigenous Language Education and Technology
Finding inspiration and resources for indigenous language education A scoop.it curated by Allyson Eamer, Assistant Professor at University of Ontario Institute of Technology Allyson’s Research Interests Research interests include synchronous online language learning, language acquisition and identity negotiation, immersion education, ethnolinguistic vitality and mother tongue education. Allyson is also interested […]
appropriate technology • education • indigenous languageGlobal Native Networks: Investigating Indigenous Use of Digital Technology Around the World
The blog of Rachael Petersen – her “space of intercultural understanding, truth-mongering, and of policy analysis grounded in place. This blog is dedicated to my experience as a 2012-2013 Thomas J. Watson Fellow, researching how indigenous peoples harness new forms of technology to further their rights, cultural expression, and sovereignty. […]
appropriate technology • digital tools • indigenous communities • representationAppropedia
Our vision is that all of humanity is able to work together developing and realizing rich, sustainable lives. We build the infrastructure, and help make the connections and populate free content to effect that vision. We provide the living resource library of individuals and organizations working towards a sustainable, healthier […]
appropriate technology • database • poverty reduction • sustainabilityEthnos Project Report
Daily “newspaper” comprised of Ethnos Project Twitter hashtags and keywords of interest. Categories include education, environment, business, society, technology, and mobile.
appropriate technology • cultural heritage • development • education • ICT4DThe Role of Information Technologies in Indigenous Knowledge Management
Increasingly, communities and organisations around the world are realising the value and significance of Indigenous Knowledge and the importance of preserving it for future generations. Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) are being established globally, but particularly in Australia, Africa, Latin America and Asia. The capture and preservation of Indigenous Knowledge is […]
2006 • appropriate technology • culture | preservation • indigenous / traditional knowledge • knowledge systems • revitalizationAppropriating Technology for social justice and human development (Tony Roberts’ blog)
Appropriating Technology is the blog of Tony Roberts (aka @phat_controller) Tony’s bio from his site: “After 25 years as a practitioner I have recently returned to school to study how ICT4D should be done, ‘in theory’. I am a second-year PhD candidate at Royal Holloway, University of London at the […]
appropriate technology • ICT4D • ICT4D Collective at Royal Holloway • impact of | ICTsThe Asháninka and the Internet
The other day, I found an IDRC report about the Asháninka and their use of the Internet dating back to 2000. Coincidentally, the Atlantic just ran a post about the Asháninka based on some photos and text released by Survival International. I have cobbled various bits together below with the […]
2000 • 2011 • appropriate technology • Asháninka • Brazil • development • IDRC • impact of | ICTs • Internet use • Peru • South AmericaHome Internet for Remote Indigenous Communities
Executive Summary Research to date shows that many remote Indigenous communities have little access to the internet and make little use of it. The Indigenous population living in remote and very remote parts of Australia comprises 108,143 people, or 0.54% of the total Australian population (ABS 2006a). In central Australia, […]
2011 • appropriate technology • Australia • Imangara • indigenous communities • Internet use • Kwale Kwale • Mungalawurru