CSCW DC Presentation

HC x ICT = A Formula for Alternative Development? Sharon J. McLennan, PhD candidate Institute of Development Studies, Massey University, New Zealand www.sharonmclennan.info s.mclennan@massey.ac.nz

Embedded YouTube videos made by development organisations and non-profits in Honduras. HAM= Honduras Aid Map. A google map with links to organisations by geographic location The website is available in Network Spanish and Description of network tools English, available and links to Yahoo although the groups, Facebook and Twitter forums and profiles. groups remain largely English Volunteers/ Missions based. Links to websites of organisations working in Honduras (specifically to volunteer and missions pages).

HC: Human Capital Definition as used by projecthonduras.com: “Human capital (HC) is essentially anything that is not "financial capital". It includes a wide range of resources, including time, energy, talents, experience, expertise, imag ination, and contacts -- things that are difficult to quantify, but that have very real value.” (Marco)

projecthonduras.com is… •A place for conscious networking •Politically neutral and positive •Constructive and focused on the “do-able” •Health •Education •Community Development

Research Question: Projecthonduras.com claims to be an alternative model of development based on using ICT to locate, coordinate and mobilize „human capital‟ (HC) . Does this represent an alternative model for development, and how is it impacting development and development organizations in Honduras?

Online activity is low: •Website largely static •Forum posts decreasing •New Twitter & Facebook groups not well- subscribed or integrated •Many research participants stated they rarely use the online tools

Projecthonduras.com Projecthonduras.com Yahoo healthcare forum Yahoo education forum Number of posts 2000-2009 Number of posts 2000-2009 1200 600 1000 500 800 400 600 300 400 200 200 100 0 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Why the low activity? Some themes from early data analysis: •Lack of access to good Internet services •Lack of knowledge, interest and/or time •Attempted move to Facebook in 2008 •Yahoo groups temporarily suspended •Organisations and individuals up skill •Interaction online limited by philosophy and structure of network

Projecthonduras.com provides space for: •Introductions of organisations and individuals to others working in the same area •Encouragement support and guidance, awareness of others •Coordination of shipping, individual aid, project assistance •Sharing of advice & experiences; physical, human and financial resources •Teaching and learning about Honduras & development, up skilling of small volunteer organisations

projecthonduras.com website Online Static Visible Public projecthonduras.com network On & Offline Dynamic Visible Public Forums, conference Introductions, Encouragement, So Interactions often me Teaching & Learning mediated projecthonduras.com community On & Offline Dynamic Invisible Private Coordination, Sharing, Teac hing & Learning Unmediated

Themes for ongoing analysis •What human capital? The role of a network of expatriates and volunteers in development in Honduras, issues of power, priorities and relationships. •Political or apolitical? Tension between the inherent political nature of development and the apolitical philosophy of the network. •Space for an unconventional movement? Potential beyond simple networking.

CSCW DC Presentation

by kiwicatracha on Feb 21, 2010

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