This document discusses efforts to bridge the digital divide between developed and developing nations. It notes that while internet access is ubiquitous in Australia, in many places only 4 phone lines and 1 computer are shared between 1000 people. Recent initiatives by companies like Intel and OLPC aim to provide low-cost computers to children in developing areas, but challenges implementing technologies at such a large scale mean mistakes are likely. While a positive step, questions remain about how far these initiatives can go in truly solving global poverty issues.

1. ‘ B R I D G I N G T H E G A P ’ ©2007 MJ R o a c h e: mike@michaeljroach.net
BRIDGING THE GAP – A FEATURE ARTICLE BY MICHAEL ROACH
We are technologically spoilt. Our Ipods, PDAs and cell phones, laptop PCs, wifi connections and
plasma TV’s constantly vie for our attention. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that over two
thirds of Australian households have access to a computer at home. It’s a veritable smorgasbord of
gadgetry and connectivity. Now, picture for a moment a place with 1000 people – and between them, 4
phone lines, 41 Televisions, and 1.2 Personal Computers.
In 2006, nine out of ten people in the world do not have internet access. Just as use of the internet
becomes ubiquitous in our daily lives here in Australia, there are those working towards closing the vast
digital gap in places like Ghana to aid those people missing out on the technology stampede.
And it’s not just the people on the ground. Big business has caught up with poverty, and recent
announcements by firms such as Intel and Negroponte to provide low-cost PCs to less developed
countries have caused a huge amount of interest. But will they deliver on their promises to provide ‘one
laptop for every child’?
Associate Lecturer of Educations and Informatics at the University of California, Mark Warschauer,
believes the moves by big firms are more than just big-business making token efforts to reduce poverty.
However, he says there is likely to be “big challenges in successfully implementing these initiatives”.
“Particularly the MIT initiative that is attempting to sell their laptops in 100 million lots, it [will take] a lot of
trial and error in learning to integrate technology well in education, so there will probably be some pretty
big mistakes made in implementations of that size”, yet overall both initiatives are considered to be very
positive steps.
But to what extent will these initiatives solve the problems of global poverty? There is a great deal of hype
and fervour about the digital divide. A concept first espoused in the early 90s, it described the growing
use of the internet and associated technologies in the rich countries, and the stagnant implementation of
those technologies in poorer nations.
Page 1 of 4 Printed 1/11/2013