Weekend’s Food for Thought

We sum up the week with a few  handy resources that have caught our eye. Read on what is missing in development practices,  how to build understanding and cooperation with an audience, what impact information society projects have in the Global South and more.

Where Is the Data?

“There is still one key element the absence of which is impeding progress: data,” writes ODI (Overseas Development Institute). We cannot progress unless governments fill in the blank spots and start to get to know people they work for. The Institute has just released a report on programs in various countries that showcases how to solve problems with missing data. Read the report  or register  for the panel discussion on missing data on 21 May.

9 Steps Towards an Audience

In the SBCC strategy (social and behaviour change communication) an audience analysis assists in better understanding and having an impact on the audience. This How-to tool gives a clear step-by-step guidance on how to implement an audience analysis while taking into account various indices. Also, the manual  includes a range of resources and templates to get inspiration from.

Internet for the Poor

Internet. org initiative launched by Facebook has been winning hearts and minds as well as gathering critiques along its way. Internet.org, touted to provide the internet access globally, encourages developers to cooperate for the common good. Benefits and losses of the customers are under question though. Is it ICT4D or the Facebook Economically Disadvantaged User Acquisition Department?

A Crash Course in Research Writing

For those who are just stepping on the path of development research and proposal writing, there is a good opportunity to get equipped with knowledge and necessary skills. AuthorAID offers a free 7-week online course for early career researchers. Application  is open until 20 May.

Global South: From Theory to Practice

A newly released publication, “Impact of Information Society Research in the Global South”, examines an impact of information society in various country contexts in Asia, Latin America and Africa. Two focal themes are Impact on Research and Research on Impact which are addressed by the global scholarly community as well as by representatives of business and civil society. Diversity of opinions and approaches about ICTs and information society makes the volume worthy a read.

Image: a screenshot via Quartz