The Development Gateway Foundation is an enabler of development. It helps to improve people’s lives in developing countries by building partnerships and information systems that provide access to knowledge for development. The Development Gateway is an independent, not-for-profit organisation based in Washington, DC. Six finalists have been chosen from a field of 135 nominations for the Development Gateway Award 2005. The $100,000 award, to be announced in September, will recognise one of the finalists for outstanding achievement in using information technology to improve people’s lives in developing countries.
Working in all regions of the world, the nominees demonstrate the impact that technologies such as the Internet, satellite communications, smart cards, and others can have on development in various fields. The Award, with major sponsorship from Deutsche Telekom, will be presented at the Development Gateway Forum 2005 on September 16-17 in Beijing. The Forum, co-hosted with the Government of China and the World Bank, will bring together leaders of China’s information technology and development sectors with their peers from around the world to address the theme of ‘Information Technology and Collaborative Development’.
Finalists for the Development Gateway Award
ITC e-Choupal: ITC e-Choupal, a programme of ITC Limited, in India, is regarded by many as an example of best practice in e-Commerce that is improving farmers’ productivity and livelihoods. Through the establishment of a network of 5,100 local computer kiosks (choupals) in Indian villages, an estimated 3.5 million farmers have access to real-time information that enhances their ability to make decisions, connect with buyers, and succeed in the marketplace. ITC aims to serve 100,000 Indian villages by 2010
