Mobile device technology is changing the social and economic landscape across the developing world. Mobile phones are powering revolutions in banking, in education, in healthcare, in the very way we relate to each other. Tablets and laptops will unleash their own disruptions as they propagate beyond the city center, following the mobile phone into everyone’s lives.
But before we are blinded by the hype, we need to ground ourselves in reality. There is still a digital divide in technology infrastructure. Not everyone has access to mobile phones, even less to tablets, and fewer to computers and the Internet. Also, the technologies we use today work well, but they could be so much better!
- What is holding us back from using technology in more ways, in more communities, to tackle even more pressing problems?
- What are the top 10 technology constraints? How can we overcome them?
- And what social and development impact could we have with the “perfect” ICT tools?
Please join a select cohort of thought leaders and decision makers for a lively discussion at the intersection of technology and development and be sure to RSVP now – we will reach capacity fast.
Technology Challenges in Development
February San Francisco Technology Salon
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, February 20th, 2013
Inveneo Conference Room
972 Mission Street, 5th Floor
San Francisco, CA (map)
We’ll have hot coffee, donuts, and fruit for a morning rush, but seating is limited. So RSVP ASAP to be confirmed for attendance – once we reach our 30-person capacity there will be a wait list.
About the Technology Salon™
The Technology Salon™ is an intimate, informal, and in person, discussion between information and communication technology experts and international development professionals, with a focus on both:
- technology’s impact on donor-sponsored technical assistance delivery, and
- private enterprise driven economic development, facilitated by technology.
Our meetings are lively conversations, not boring presentations. Attendance is capped at 30 people – and frank participation with ideas, opinions, and predictions is actively encouraged. It’s also a great opportunity to meet others motivated to employ technology to solve vexing development problems. Join us today!
Hi Wayan
Ref “we need to ground ourselves in reality. There is still a digital divide in technology infrastructure. Not everyone has access to mobile phones, even less to tablets, and fewer to computers and the Internet.”
I wonder if you or anyone from this session would be interested in meeting online with friends and contacts of mine, including people who are continually struggling with the difficulties of being on the “bandwidth challenged” side of the digital divide. A handful of us get together on the First Thursday of the month (the exact people who turn up varies from month to month – I’m almost always there)
Here is some background information:
– This month’s meeting (see who turned up, where we are from, and what our interests are) http://etherpad.openstewardship.net/February-2013-First-Thursday
– Background to First Thursday – http://dadamac.net/blog/20130122/first-thursday-meeting-updates
– For next meeting March 7th – http://etherpad.openstewardship.net/March-2013-First-Thursday
You would be very welcome.
Hi
I am currently interning with a San Francisco based social enterprise. The social enterprise helps artisans and SMEs around the world get started with e-commerce. I am right now in the process of writing my thesis, which is on the impact of e-commerce on growth, society, and the economy of developing countries.
I had the chance to assist this conference and was wondering if you’d have by any chance any feedback / resources /help/ contacts to share ?
Many thanks
Thomas