P2P Foundation

 

P2P Foundation: ICT in Development

P2P Foundation stands for Peer to Peer Foundation.  P2P Foundation is an international organization which encompasses education and development focusing on knowledge commons, and collaborative organization.  P2P Foundation website has outlines and connection with ICT and development.  Proven that it is has a tech savvy layout it has a clear, visual presentation to promote their project.   I found myself to get a more concrete understanding of how ICT is incorporated with peer to peer development and related reports of open cooperative projects.  Related to the course is the critical reflection that Benkler has outline that it is important ro recognize that information, knowledge, and culture are core inputs into human welfare (302); thus access to knowledge has become central to human development.  Recognized throughout P2P Foundation is to collaborate with traditional orders with more cooperative social orders.  Benkler highlights an individual and freedom having access to exchange information to a willing recipient (Benkler, 155).  P2P Foundation goal is to create an information commons, which is to be extended and bring information together (P2P Foundation, 2012).  Benkler also notes that the network information economy has now become much more able to articulate, exchange, and adopt data (Benkler, 300).  The framework of P2P Foundation provides a space for possibilities of network communications. One does find that P2P Foundation creates a well-organized matrix to inspire the creation and linking of ideas together around topics of common interests.

Compiled from readings and videos posted on the course website, one would agree that the role of ICT in facilitating citizen actions and democracy has engaged and expand knowledge across different dimensions of studies.  There are various citizen actions that get very little recognition in today’s media.  However, with the help from social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and other medium of socialization; collaborated efforts of case studies are shared and citizens have their voices heard.  Large disadvantaged regions of the world would utilize grassroots ICT as it is a cost effective way to respond to needs (Keniston, 2002).  One would agree to Keniston’s argument that we have very little knowledge on the factors that make for the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of grassroots ICT projects in developing nations (Keniston, 2002).  Benkler’s paper has outline, that with devices like computers and mobile phones which can allow for collaboration and interconnected of companies and worldwide networks; can publicly create accessible knowledge transfers (Benkler, 2006).  One would agree that relationship with ICT projects that allow for global networking would expand knowledge and organize efficient development structures for opportunities.  In one’s view, the community collaboration of P2P Foundation produces knowledge in various forms of openness to inspire new perspectives on development issues.  Referred to Leslie Chan’s reading in Week 8; growth and understanding coming from local knowledge; is much better than knowledge being imported or imposed on from the foreigners (2008).  P2P Foundation allows users to access, participate, and collaborate with various topics; and overcome the barriers in non-market social production.  To conclude, one would find that P2P Foundation is a great tool to collaborate and expand knowledge on the level of openness.  Data is to be freely edited, to ensure that information can produce a social model and framework to share with others.

 

Reference:

Benkler, Y.  (2006). The Wealth of Networks: How Social Production Transform Markets and Freedom.  Yale University Press: New Haven and London.

Keniston, K.  (2002). Grassroots ICT Projects in India: Some Preliminary Hypotheses.  ASCI Journal of Management. 31(1), 1-9.  Retrieved from http://stuff.mit.edu:8001/people/kken/PDF/ASCI_Journal_Intro__ASCI_version_.pdf

Aigrain, P., Chan, L., Guedon, J.C., Willinsky, J., Benkler, Y. (2008).  The Wealth of Networks. Public Futures in Education. 6(2), Retrieved from http://www.wwwords.co.uk/pdf/validate.asp?j=pfie&vol=6&issue=2&year=2008&article=1_Symposium_PFIE_6_2_web

P2P Foundation. (2012). Peer to Peer Foundation.  Retrieved from http://p2pfoundation.net/Main_Page

 

ICT in Agriculture, Project: SIBWA

 

 

A project which is recognizing for the use of ICT in agriculture is SIBWA – Seeing is Believing in South Africa (Traore, 2010).  This project started in June 2009, with six communities of farmers, to implement the use of images made by sensors on satellites to build accurate and high resolution satellite imagery database of land and fertility (Traore, 2010). The accurate mapping program helps analyze and provide records to small-scale farmers to take advantage and monitor their farm land (Traore, 2010).

Traore, P.S. (2010). The view from above. ICT Update.  Retrieved from http://ictupdate.cta.int/Feature-Articles/The-view-from-above

 

 

ICT for Agriculture

ICT in agriculture:

The application of ICT in agriculture is very important; for it can enhance and improve the education and knowledge in rural farming and sustainable development.  Advancement in ICT can be utilized for providing accurate timely, relevant information and services to farmers (Fountas, Pedersen & Blackmore, 2005), to which can aid in overcoming communication barriers.  The importance of ICT in agriculture can aid in maximizing growth and collaboration of locals. For example, farmers can use the Internet to map and study migratory paths.  The ability to share innovative knowledge in other areas can advance in the ability to quickly communicate distress and emergency situation (Stienen, Bruinsma, & Neman, 2007).  .

ICT play an important role in addressing issues that protect the ecosystem; by empowering, educating, and improving the lifestyle of locals and farming practices.    Raising awareness through informative technological usage can impact companies; by acknowledging their mismanagement of natural resources (Stienen, Bruinsma, & Neman, 2007).  It is understood that farming is the primary economic activity for majority of people in the poorest parts of the world (Stienen, Bruinsma, & Neman, 2007).  With traditional knowledge, developing countries, particularly rural communities, can localize the information sharing and collaboration by trust and engagement (Stienen, Bruinsma, & Neman, 2007).    The role of ICT in agriculture is to enhance food security and support rural livelihoods (Stienen, Bruinsma, & Neman, 2007).  ICT in agriculture would also impact by connecting smallholders to knowledge, networks, and institutions (Ollo-López & Aramendía-Muneta, 2012).

 

http://www.ictinagriculture.org/ictinag/content/featured-application

This website identifies and discusses the recent innovations in ICT that have potential use to agriculture and rural development (The World Bank Group, 2012).  It is recognized that natural disasters can happen expectantly.  However, with the help of mobile phones in rural regions; services and information can receive extreme weather updates (The World Bank Group, 2012).  ICT in agriculture would not only be focused on rural communities, but also strengthen and create stakeholders to provide information to predict and alert communities during climatic disasters (The World Bank, 2012).  Early warning systems such as incorporating mobile phone; would overcome barriers in communication accurately and timely weather information to rural farmers (The World Bank, 2012).

 

References

1. Fountas, S., Pedersen, S. M., & Blackmore, S. (2005). ICT in Precision Agriculture–diffusion of technology. ICT in agriculture: perspective of technological innovation, E. Gelb and A. Offer (eds), Retrieved from http://departments.agri.huji.ac.il/economics/gelb-main.html
2.  Ollo-López , A. and Aramendía-Muneta, M.E. (2012).   ICT Impact on Competitiveness, Innovation and Environment. Telematics and Informatics. 29 (2), 204-210.
3. The World Bank Group. (2012). ICT for Rural Disaster Preparedness. Retrieved from http://www.ictinagriculture.org/ictinag/content/featured-application
4. Stienen, J., Bruinsma, W. & Neman, F. (2007).  International Institution for Communication and Development.  How ICT can make a difference in agricultural livelihoods.  http://www.globalgender.org/upload/%7B89B4F9C3-B4A4-49A6-A1E2-E1E074DF3368%7D_ICT%20and%20agricultural%20livelihoods.pdf

ICT For Development

http://p2pfoundation.net/index.php/Category:Podcasts

A great site which connects to other ICT developmental sites, and skims through actions of ICT in local issues.

Youth Challenge Fund

http://youthchallengefund.org/#home

The Youth Challenge Fund (YCF) is a collaborative pilot project with the Government of Ontario, United Way Toronto and the community that was created to explore, develop and incubate new approaches to funding and facilitating youth development. The project has created a 27-minute documentary capturing the work being done by the YCF in several of Toronto’s “priority neighbourhoods”. The documentary also highlights personal stories from youth leaders, community allies and institutional partners, all of whom have played vital roles in achieving systemic transformation. – 1 Love T.O

ICT for Development

http://www.cbcglobal.org/programmes/details/ICT-for-development

Through this site, gives forward information on how ICT is used in development.  It is noted that for a

‘thriving society and an efficient economy, developing countries must invest in technology’ – CommonWealth Business Council, 2012.

ICT for development can help a developing country with bridging effectively with economic growth, and governance activities.   Through the use of technology, key players of the communities and markets would have a chance in developing technologies to research, and advocate for better business partnership.

 

 

My question is, how would a developing country get to invest in any technology if they aren’t given the chance to work out of poverty? When will they even manage to sustain on their own; if they are currently working under the Developed county’s power and globalization ideologies?

Imperialism has culturally embedded itself in so many Global South cultures; will technology in development give access to those in civil societies, or just private sectors?  There is so much political matter that needs to be considered through the process of development.

— Something to look into…

“He who is too busy doing good, finds no time to be good”. – Rabindranath Tagore

 

That’s not cool …

For all you pea-brain; http://www.thatsnotcool.com/

This is a good eye opener to a lot of issues surrounding social media and messaging.  I know there are a lot of people who should take a lesson or two from this site.  This is something to share and recognize in today’s vast social media generation; be safe surfing the net.

Kenya’s Unga Revolution

Kenya’s Unga Revolution (IRIN Films)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIJdW5XUL40

“Throughout 2011, Kenyans have battled with rising prices of food and fuel, especially unga, or maize flour, the staple food for millions. IRIN’s new film, Kenya’s Unga Revolution, follows activist Emily Kwamboka as she takes to the streets to demand the government do something to help address the plight of ordinary Kenyans.” – Youtube (ONEWorldTV)

It’s a shame to see that not everyone is treated equal; with equal power.  It is a struggle for the people focused in the video to have to live day-to-day with rising prices; which affects their daily livelihood.   Practising their rights and freedom of speech to their government.  The locals had their voices shun away, and governments showed no remorse and continue to have their own self-interests impacting their people.

Work in progress…

My ideas usually come not at my desk writing but in the midst of living. – Anais Nin

 

Blogs; someone out there reads this all, and finds it interesting.

Hello IDSB10

Hello there IDSB10 … or Professor Chan and T.A Becky.

Welcome to the workspace of Danielle 🙂

…Just to remind myself what I’m doing; this is just a link of the assignment:  http://idsb10.pbworks.com/w/page/59707508/Instructions%20for%20Writing%20a%20Blog