8th IDIA Conference 2014
Challenging the Rhetoric: ICT for Development Practice and Research
The 8th IDIA Conference challenged prevailing assumptions and rhetoric in the ICT4D field. With two decades of large-scale ICT4D investment to draw upon, the conference asked hard questions about what the evidence actually shows — and what changes in practice and research are needed as a result.
Key Themes
- Evidence-based critique of ICT4D rhetoric and assumptions
- Integration of digital learning in primary schools
- Mobile finance and migrant remittances
- Community connectivity and affordable internet access
- Gender and ICT4D
- ICT for agricultural development
Selected Papers
- Nkula & Kirsten — Integration of Digital Learning in Public Primary Schools in Meru County, Kenya
- Chib, Sundararajan, Sirajudin & Jinnah — Migrants, Mobile Finance, and Marginalization
- Rey-Moreno, Sabiescu & Siya — Community Connectivity Solutions in South Africa
Legacy & Current Relevance
IDIA 2014's challenge to ICT4D rhetoric was ahead of its time. With two decades of large-scale investment to evaluate, the conference asked hard questions about what the evidence actually showed — a critical turn that has since reshaped how development funders and broadband policy makers measure programme success. The shift from outputs (kilometres of fibre laid, devices distributed) to outcomes (changes in economic participation, health access, educational attainment) that IDIA 2014 advocated is now standard practice in NTIA and FCC digital equity reporting requirements.
The mobile finance and migrant remittance research presented here also found its moment: remittance technology corridors between the US, Canada, and Latin America represent one of the most active areas of fintech for underserved communities, directly connecting the global South ICT4D research tradition to North American financial inclusion priorities.
Conference Series
Preceded by IDIA 2013 in Cape Town and followed by IDIA 2015 in Zanzibar. See the full archive for all years.