IDIA2009 Conference
Fostering innovation, access and social entrepreneurship for community development – challenges and opportunities for South Africa
Mmamakanye Pitse-Boshomane
Meraka Institute, CSIR, South Africa
Ashraf Patel
SAFIPA South Africa
Abstract
The quest for sustainable development in the developing world requires constant reality check. In the research area known as information and communication technologies for international development (ICT4D 2.0), interdisciplinary teams look to new approaches to innovation. Science and technology partners, Meraka Institute and SAFIPA in South Africa grapple with challenges of resource mobilisation for communities and local community development every day. The paper will assess trends in open and user-driven innovation, more specifically Living Labs and how current and emerging national ICT and science and technology policy frameworks are beginning to impact on them. A team of so-called ICT Explorers will roam the streets of Alexandra township engaging with the community and explore ongoing government, private sector and donor interventions aimed at enabling universal service or local economic development or emerging open innovation networks.
