Technologies for Sustainable Development: A Way to Reduce Poverty?

Appropriate technologies are technologies that are socially, culturally, environmentally and economically accepted by the stakeholders. It is necessary, therefore, to develop appropriate technologies in partnership with researchers, government agencies, and industry. It is essential that this be done in a process of co-creation with the beneficiaries. The development of appropriate technologies must also include the appropriate strategy to implement and maintain them. Innovative technologies have a central role to play in the effort to alleviate poverty in this world, which today is still overwhelming, with 20 % of the world population living on less than US$1.25 per day. The development of technologies that are adapted to unreliable energy systems, or the lack of transportation or communication infrastructure is indeed challenging. There are important constraints and requirements that need to be addressed for any technological development to succeed. However, it is encouraging to see that the development potential of appropriate technologies is much larger than the challenges, as shown in this publication’s case studies from fields as diverse as agriculture, renewable energy, disaster risk reduction, ICTs and human settlements.