5/6/03 

These articles originally appeared on we!, our weekly newsletter.

A major event made on the WSIS official level was recently announced, and this is the ICT for Development Platform.

Switzerland, the host country of the WSIS phase one in December 2003, is the sponsor of the event. The Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC) is working together with the Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP) in order to organise the ICT for Development platform (ICT4D). The ICT4D platform, which will consist of a wide range of events including a market place, presentations, workshops and panel debates, is perceived as one of the major official events at the Summit. These events will be focusing on certain ICT4D-related issues, such as local content, e-learning, e-governance or financing. The event will also provide a platform for deals and new partnerships.

According to the organisers, approximately 500 organisations or companies from various sectors will have an opportunity to present diverse projects to an influential audience with economic, political and media orientated interests. Companies and organisations will have the possibility to present projects which have been realised or are in the process of being realised. It is also seen as an ideal opportunity to broaden global networks, to find new markets and partners. For those who are submitting project applications, the deadline for submission is 31 May 2003. Accepted projects will be decided on and confirmed by the end of June. All electronically documented projects will be subsequently placed in the exhibitor's catalogue and be made internationally known via the Internet. The 10 most interesting projects will receive special coverage from worldwide press.

Civil society organisations, especially the women’s organisations, however, have always critiqued the WSIS official process as somewhat gearing towards a more market-based approach rather than focusing on people-centred development. As stated in the “Seven Must-Haves” for women trying to engender the WSIS process, “Only development that embraces the principles of social justice and gender equality can be said to centrally address women's needs and redress fundamental economic and socio-cultural divides. Market-based development solutions often fail to address more deep-rooted and persistent subordination that the poorest and most marginalised women face.”

The proposed ICT4D platform will definitely be upholding this market-based approach to development, as clearly stated in their objectives and line-up of events. Expected to participate in the event are representatives from big ICT-oriented corporations that will somehow pitch their new products and offer their services in the guise of the all-encompassing term “development.” But women should ask: whose development would be benefited from such endeavours? What kind of development projects are they seeking to uphold, especially with markets they would further want to tap in the Asia-Pacific region and the Global South? Issues like content dumping and the eradication of cultural diversity should perhaps be discussed in relation to this event, as these issues might be upheld in the name not of development but of profit, and economic dominance.

However important it is to have all sectors voice their opinions about WSIS things in the spirit of free expression, it is still important to be wary of such endeavours, and not to forget to critique these kinds of approaches if indeed they foster objectives that are “for the good of all” or if they are just for the good of some.

For more information about the ICT4D project, please contact:

Project team ICT for Development Otto Frei, Project Director
ICT4D Platform
Marktgasse 3
CH-3011 Bern, Switzerland
Tel: (41-31) 311 3566
Fax: (41-31) 311 3567
E-mail: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Website: http://www.ict-4d.org

And for those who would like to read on the other feminist must-haves in the WSIS, please visit .