ICT in poverty reduction

23.05.2007 BRUSSELS, May 23 (IPS) - Mobile phone banking is expanding across the region from South Africa to Kenya and is putting the poor directly in control of their own finances like never before.

23.05.2007 'Can South Asia End Poverty in a Generation?' This is the theme for a two hour videoconference discussion connecting NGOs and CSOs from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, to be held at the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, India on May 30, 2007.

18.05.2007 The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) celebrated the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on May 17, 2007 by honouring three laureates and through an announcement of a plan to curb cyber crime, connect Africa and connect the young. The ITU helps communities develop radio communication and ICTs worldwide.

18.05.2007 E-Choupal is a unique internet service that has been made available at the doorstep of farmers in India. Introduced by the retail sector, e-Choupal provides farmers with agricultural information through ICTs. Through the e-Choupal initiative, ITC has increased its competitiveness and empowered farmers through access to technology and the Internet.

07.05.2007 GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) phones were launched by Nokia in Delhi India. This move was inspired by efforts of the Indian government and mobile service operators to bring low-cost mobile telephony to the grassroots and unreached, where users may not be able to afford a personal phone. In many villages, local entrepreneurs have already emerged to offer this service.