Exploring the Role of ICT in Development: An International Perspective, A Panel Discussion

This panel will bring together a range of experts from around the world to explore the potential role of information and communications technologies (ICT) in socio-economic development. The panel will be highly interactive with each panellist speaking for a short period, which will then be followed by comments from fellow panellists and the audience. The session will be formulated as a series of topical debates on ICT and development with each panellist taking on a particular perspective, drawing from a range of national and regional contexts. Dr G. Grant (Carleton University, Canada) will address the seemingly paradoxical relationship between ICT and development. He will argue that value-producing investment in ICT is beneficially accomplished within the context of supportive institutional arrangements that facilitate their adoption, assimilation, and application. Dr J. Liebenau (London School of Economics, UK) will argue that private enterprises, such as cybercafes, have been more successful in disseminating ICT widely and more successfully than development projects initiated by multilateral bodies or governments. Dr S. Kamel (American University of Cairo, Egypt) will explore the challenges faced by developing countries in implementing electronic government initiatives, and question the simplistic assumptions driving many such projects. Dr G. Harindranath (Royal Holloway, University of London, UK) will chair the panel. He will explore a range of ICT for development frameworks and question the ‘transformational’ nature of ICT for development projects.