Exploring a Complexity Framework for Digital Inclusion Interventions

Abstract

The current global scenario of technology change and social change make necessary to rethinking the vision and methods employed by governments, development agencies and private sector to impulse socioeconomic development through the adoption and application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). We pose that the availability of computing and telecommunications infrastructure, highly converging devices for Internet access and content suited to the population needs and idiosyncrasies are not enough to accomplish long-term socioeconomic development. This paper suggests that non technology-centric programs are necessary to effectively achieve sustainable digital inclusion projects, particularly in remote and underserved populations. This new perspective, encompassing strategies for social action with grass roots participation including technology adoption programs and a strong component of moral leadership may contribute to turn ICT into successful development engines. Furthermore, we argue that the confluence of Digital Convergence with social and environmental phenomena is creating new divides whose multifactorial nature can be analyzed using the principles of complex adaptive systems.