Exploring the role of digital diaspora in ICT4D project implementation

• Main Authors: Guddireddigari, Sriram, Grunfeld, Helena, Johanson, Graeme
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Australia; Communities; Cooperation; developed; developing; diaspora; Digital; Distance education; Economics; Feasibility; ICT4D; Internet; Organizations; Overseas; Partnerships; telecentre; Villages
• ISSN: 2158-3404; 2158-3412
• DOI: 10.1109/ISTAS.2011.7160599

The paper explores challenges and opportunities in implementing a project for Information and Communications Technologies for Development (ICT4D) from a ‘Digital Diaspora’ perspective; communities of diaspora in associations or organizations organized over the Internet. The project under consideration is the Vicky Standish e-Education Centre (VSeEC) located in a remote south Indian village. The key project stakeholders are existing and potential future users, other villagers deriving indirect benefits from the project, and an Australian-based NGO, The East West Overseas Aid Foundation (TEWOAF). TEWOAF’s founder and supporters mainly comprise members of the Indian diaspora globally, nondiasporan host country nationals, and also include local development partners who provide a significant portion of the intellectual and technology capital on which this project is based. The VSeEC is managed through a combination of local employees and overseas volunteer advisers, some of whom are members of the Indian ‘Digital Diaspora’. This unique way of managing a telecentre operation presents several challenges and also offers opportunities for local staff to benefit from non-local expertise, and for diaspora and foreigners alike to learn together with the local staff. In our discussion and analysis section, we consider the feasibility of operating a project of this nature as an informal partnership between local employees and remotely located advisors and suggest ways of overcoming challenges that such cooperation entails. While it is understood that there are several projects where members of the Digital Diaspora (DD) and non-diaspora collaborate remotely on ICT4D and other initiatives in the developing world, this field has not been subject to much research. With access to ICT becoming more widespread in the developing world, this way of collaboration can make a considerable contribution to capacity building by both sides of such partnerships.