United Nations Tech4Good Initiatives

Various United Nations offices have launched initiatives to promote the use of computers, feature phones, smart phones and various networked devices in development and humanitarian activities, to promote digital literacy and equitable access to the "information society," and to bridge the digital divide.

This web page is my effort to track UN Tech4Good / ICT4D programs, from the oldest through 2018. My goal is to primarily to help researchers, as well as to remind current UN initiatives that much work regarding ICT4D has been done by various UN employees, consultants and volunteers for almost 20 years.

I compiled this information primarily through archived versions of web sites at archive.org. I've included the original URLs of these initiatives, many of which no longer work or have been taken over by other companies, so researchers can view the sites at archive.org over several years - not just the one year I might link to:

Digital Opportunities Task Force (DOT Force) was established in July 2000 at the Kyushu-Okinawa, Japan G8 Summit. DOT Force was composed of members from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors and including participants from developed and developing countries, and met for the first time in Tokyo on November 27-28, 2000. The DOT Force looked for ways for governments, businesses and civil society to work together to advance human development and reduce poverty through the use of information and communications technologies. In less than a year, the DOT Force developed a series of initiatives aimed at forming the key building blocks of the information society for developing countries -- strengthening countries' readiness for e-development, increasing access and connectivity, supporting skills development, as well as fostering local content and applications. The DOT Force report follows up on the 2001 Genoa Plan of Action, which called for a concerted plan to narrow the technological gap between developed and developing nations. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the World Bank provided the Secretariat for the Task Force. The URL for the UCT Task Force was www.dotforce.org and the site is archived at archive.org.

Global Digital Divide Initiative (GDDI) of the World Economic Forum (WEF), also established in July 2000 at the Kyushu-Okinawa G8 Summit, "to advance the issue of creating digital opportunities on the global and regional public policy agendas," and to increase e-readiness worldwide. The summit focused considerable attention on the impact of information technologies and the growing risks of a global "digital divide". The GDDI founding document is called "Global Digital Divide to the Global Digital Opportunity."

United Nations Technology Service (UNITeS), a global volunteer initiative, was created by Kofi Annan in 2000. UNITeS both supported volunteers applying information and communications technologies for development (ICT4D) and promoted volunteerism as a fundamental element of successful ICT4D initiatives. It was administered by the UN Volunteers program, part of UNDP, and during the tenure of UNITeS, the UNV program helped place and/or support more than 300 volunteers applying ICT4D in more than 50 developing countries, including 28 Least Developed Countries (LDC), making it one of the largest volunteering in ICT4D initiatives. The activities of UN Volunteers, as well as those by tech volunteers working through NetCorps, CompuMentor, the Association for Progressive Communications, Australian Volunteers International, NetCorps, Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA), were tracked and promoted by UNITeS as part of its overall mission. Part of the UNITeS mandate was to try to track all of the various tech volunteering initiatives and encourage them to share their best practices and challenges with each other. UNITeS was discontinued as an active program in 2005.

UN ICT Task Force, In March 2001, the United Nations Economic and Social Council requested the Secretary-General to establish an Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force. In order to participate in the second phase of the WSIS, the Task Force's original three-year mandate was extended by another year and expired on 31 December 2005. The URL for the UCT Task Force was www.unicttaskforce.org and the site is archived at archive.org. The Wikipedia entry for the UN ICT Task Force offers an excellent overview of the initiative.

UNESCO focus on ICT4D. UNESCO has undertaken a number of initiatives since 2001 regarding ICT4D, developing resources regarding Community Multimedia Centres e-governance, ethical issues of the information society, internet governance, libraries roles in ICT access and PC refurbishment. UNESCO gave high priority to web resources and on-site initiatives for introducing and managing community multimedia centers (CMCs). “A CMC combines community radio by local people in local languages with community telecentre facilities (computers with Internet and e-mail, phone, fax and photocopying services).“ UNESCO developed and published How To Get Started And Keep Going : A Guide to CMCs, a free online guide, and the first UNESCO Training Workshop for CMC Managers was held in Burkina Faso in September 2001. The URL for UNESCO's CMC resources was www.unesco.org/webworld/cmc; some of these resources are found more easily here. With other organizations, UNESCO produced ItrainOnline, a web site of computer and Internet training resources for development and social change in developing countries. I created the UNESCO 2005 guide to involving volunteers in telecenters/telecentres. Another UNESCO resource, removed from their web site but with some material reproduced on my site, is the 2019 Effort to Combat Sexism in AI: 'I'd blush if I could.'

ITU focus on ICT4D. The International Telecommunication Union has undertaken a number of initiatives since 2001 regarding ICT4D, focused primarily on infrastructure initiatives. ITU also acknowledged that addressing women's access to the "knowledge-based economy," both because such access is "a key component of economic development." and because such "programmes targeted at women can help alleviate poverty of women and their families," but also "by leveraging the skills of women, developing countries can significantly add to the pool of talent that will be needed in the new information society." To see these digital divide-related documents and policies, go to the April 2002 version of www.itu.int/gender/index.html on archive.org

UNDP focus on ICT4D. UNDP has undertaken a number of ICT4D initiatives, as well as collaborating with others, since at least 2000. UNDP was affiliated with the UNITeS initiative (see above). In March 2000, the UNDP web site featured a prominent link to the NetAid initiative (part of whichbecame UNV's Online Volunteering service). 2002, UNDP was promoting its Sustainable Development Networking Programme, which operated at the country level and launch and supported local public access Internet sites, often called community technology centers, and supported the building national ICT capacities and knowledge resources. In 2010, it published "ICT4D and the Human Development and Capability Approach: The Potentials of Information and Communication Technology," a study that reviewed the potential of ICT4D within the human development and capabilities approach. For initiatives prior to 2010, search for www.undp.org on archive.org.

On 17-18 June 2002, the United Nations General Assembly held a meeting devoted to information and communication technologies for development. According to the relevant resolution of the General Assembly (56/258), the meeting addressed the digital divide in the context of globalization and the development process and promote coherence and synergies between various regional and international information and communication technologies initiatives. The meeting also contributed to the preparation of the World Summit on the Information Society. Besides the formal plenary meetings, there were two informal panels to provide an input of ideas, experiences and policy advice from prominent experts and civil society representatives, including from the private sector.

Global E-Schools and Communities Initiative (GeSCI) was established in 2003, borne out of the work of the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force which identified education as an area in critical need of development, and one where ICT has the potential to make positive impacts.

Global ePolicy Resource Network (ePol-NET), a G8 DOT Force initiative, was launched at WSIS 2003 under the auspices of the UN ICT Task Force. It provided ICT policy makers in developing countries with ICT strategies and resources to support social and economic development. The URL for the ePol-NET was www.epol-net.org and the site is archived at archive.org, but only until August 2006 - then the site was taken over by a click bait site selling insurance.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) happened in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2003 and WSIS II in Tunis, Tunisia, in November 2005. United Nations Technology Service (UNITeS) (see above) had a booth at the 2003 conference that served as a model community technology center and information point for UN Volunteers' Online Volunteering Service, and you can view the photos here.

The Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID), was launched with an inaugural meeting on 19-20 June 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and was originally administered by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. It was then administered by the UN Office of Information and Communications Technology. It's purpose was to provide a multi-stakeholder cross-sectoral platform and forum to bring together all stakeholders representing relevant constituencies (for example, in governments - development cooperation, foreign policy, finance, social, sectoral (health, education) and regulatory agencies; in the private sector - industry and workers associations, producers and consumers of ICT, the media; in civil society – NGOs, CSOs, foundations, scientific, academic and ICT communities and individuals providing advocacy and oversight on Information Society issues and implementing programs addressing MDGs). The URL for the UCT Task Force was www.un-gaid.org and the site is archived at archive.org

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s ICT4D initiatives assist governments of developing and transition economies towards their increased participation in the information economy, and have done so since at least 2012. "Making ICT work for development requires more than expanding the infrastructure. In order to foster productive and inclusive use of ICTs Governments need to create legal, institutional and policy frameworks and generate the necessary skills in government, business and civil society."

Social Good #inno4dev / #2030now summit, The Social Good Summit is a two-day conference examining the impact of technology and new media on social good initiatives around the world. Held annually during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) week, the Social Good Summit "unites a dynamic community of global leaders and grassroots activists to discuss solutions for the greatest challenges of our time." United Nations offices, mostly UNDP, participate around the globe. Here is an example of 2014 participation by UNDP Ukraine.

UN Public Administration and Development Management Department of Economic and Social Affairs, supports e-government development for responsive, efficient, effective and equitable delivery of public service to all people, building public trust and ensuring transparency, participation and collaboration in the development process. It now manages the WSIS information.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) ICT4D Resources. Convened the Consultation Meeting on Women and ICT Frontier Initiative (WIFI) National Implementation on 5 - 7 October 2016, among other ICT4D-related events, and its web site includes a document for implementing or enhancing the use of social media for Disaster Risk Management purposes, Digital Media and Society: Implications in a Hyperconnected Era and World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends, among other resources.

United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG) promotes participatory, transparent, and effective democratic governance in order to facilitate the efforts of Member States to improve conditions for their citizens and achieve internationally agreed-upon development objectives. That includes e-government related initiatives, such as coordinating an Expert Group Meeting on Enhancing Capacity to Promote E-Government for Women, conducting the 2016 United Nations E-Government Survey, and publishing an E-Report on E-Government for Women's Empowerment

UNITE "Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for a stronger, more effective United Nations." The UN Office of Information and Communications Technology is responsible for defining strategic direction for ICT to the Secretariat. "We believe that when United Nations personnel are supported by modern tools and processes and collaborating across boundaries -- the whole world benefits." This is an internally-focused unit, for the most part, but because this initiative is, in part, to help UN staff work more effectively across agencies, because staff in this office do collaborate with private businesses, and because of its name, this initiative is listed here.

The High-Level Panel on Digital Cooperation, announced by Secretary-General António Guterres on 12 July, 2018, hopes to explore the potential of digital technology to deliver the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as explore risks related to human rights, privacy and inequity. Melinda Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Jack Ma, Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, have been appointed by the Secretary-General as Co-Chairs of the Panel. The Panel has a total of 20 members, representing a cross-section of expertise from Government, private industry, civil society, academia and the technical community. The Panel will hold its first in-person meeting in late September 2018 and is expected to submit its final report to the Secretary-General within nine months. The Panel will undertake a wide range of public consultations, including at least two public events and an open process inviting global inputs including through online engagement activities starting in September. It is supported by a small Secretariat funded by donor resources, and based in New York and Geneva, headed by Amandeep Singh Gill of India and Jovan Kurbalija of Serbia. Follow on Twitter @UNSGdigicoop for updates.

If you know of more such UN initiatives that did ICT4D work prior to 2016, please contact me, Jayne Cravens

And if you represent any of the initiatives on this page, make sure your listing on Wikipedia is correct (or exists).

I also have a list of Initiatives to Related to Bridging the Digital Divide or Building Digital Literacy in the Developing World or Globally in 2002.

And see UNDP Chief Warns G-8 Leaders of a Widening “Digital Divide” from July 2000.

Also see:

The Last Virtual Volunteering Guidebook

available for purchase as a paperback & an ebook

Completely revised and updated, & includes lots more advice about microvolunteering!
Published January 2014.

Tech Volunteer Groups / ICT4D Volunteers
A listing of organizations and groups that promoted and placed tech volunteers - both defunct initiatives and current ones.
Short-term Assignments for Tech Volunteers
There are a variety of ways for mission-based organizations to involve volunteers to help with short-term projects relating to computers and the Internet, and short-term assignments are what are sought after most by potential "tech" volunteers. But there is a disconnect: most organizations have trouble identifying such short-term projects. This is a list of short-term projects for "tech" volunteers -- assignments that might takes days, weeks or just a couple of months to complete.
One(-ish) Day "Tech" Activities for Volunteers
Volunteers are getting together for intense, one-day events, or events of just a few days, to build web pages, to write code, to edit Wikipedia pages, and more. These are gatherings of onsite volunteers, where everyone is in one location, together, to do an online-related project in one day, or a few days. It's a form of episodic volunteering, because volunteers don't have to make an ongoing commitment - they can come to the event, contribute their services, and then leave and never volunteer again. Because computers are involved, these events are sometimes called hackathons, even if coding isn't involved. This page provides advice on how to put together a one-day event, or just-a-few-days-of activity, for a group of tech volunteers onsite, working together, for a nonprofit, non-governmental organization (NGO), community-focused government program, school or other mission-based organization - or association of such.
Early History of Nonprofits & the Internet
The Internet has been about people and organizations networking with each other, sharing ideas and comments, and collaborating online. It has always been interactive and dynamic. And there were many nonprofit organizations who "got" it early -- earlier than many for-profit companies. So I've attempted to set the record straight: I've prepared a web page that talks about the early history of nonprofits and the Internet. It focuses on 1995 and previous years. It talks a little about what nonprofits were using the cyberspace for as well at that time and lists the names of key people and organizations who helped get nonprofit organizations using the Internet in substantial numbers in 1995 and before. Edits and additions are welcomed.
A history of the Smart Valley initiative
In 1994, perhaps earlier, an initiative called Smart Valley was launched in California. Smart Valley was a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization focused on creating an "information infrastructure" in Silicon Valley, California - Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, San José, Santa Clara and the surrounding area, creating projects to enhance the quality of life in Silicon Valley. Smart Valley's projected included SmartSchools NetDay and PC Day, Smart Voter, to help people learn about upcoming elections, Connect 96: The Global Summit on Building Electronic Communities, the Public Access Network (PAN), a Telecommuting Initiative, and the Smart Valley Webmasters Group. Smart Valley was also affiliated with the nonprofit organization Plugged In, one of the first digital divide efforts, working to bring "the tremendous technological resources available in the Silicon Valley to youth in low-income communities" in East Palo Alto and SV-PAL, the Silicon Valley Public Access Link.
Volunteering Abroad (especially for Westerners)
An in-depth look at the different kinds of volunteering abroad, with extensive information on what a person would need to do and study to become a viable candidate for long-term volunteering gigs where the volunteer does NOT have to pay his or her own travel and accommodations, such as the PeaceCorps or UNV.
Incorporating virtual volunteering into a corporate employee volunteer program (a resource for businesses / for-profit companies)
Virtual volunteering - volunteers providing service via a computer, smart phone, tablet or other networked advice - presents a great opportunity for companies to expand their employee philanthropic offerings. Through virtual volunteering, some employees will choose to help organizations online that they are already helping onsite. Other employees who are unable to volunteer onsite at a nonprofit or school will choose to volunteer online because of the convenience.
Women's Access to Public Internet Access, a resource I developed through research & experience to support the development of women-only Internet centers/technology centers/etc., or women-only hours at such public Internet access points, in developing and transitional countries.
Lessons from onlinevolunteering.org
Some key learnings from directing the UN's Online Volunteering service from February 2001 to February 2005, including support materials for those using the service to host online volunteers.

United Nations Tech4Good / ICT4D Initiatives