This short report provides a list of new information and communications technologies (ICTs) being used to enhance development outcomes. The use of ICTs among poor people is growing rapidly. In 2009, there were an estimated 2.2 billion mobile phones in the developing world and 305 million computers. In 1998, two of every 100 inhabitants in developing countries was a mobile phone ...» more
State-society relations
Civil Society and Accountability in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
The literature suggests that the conflict and political division between the West Bank and Gaza Strip has hindered civil society efforts at strengthening accountability. Firstly, the conflict has impeded the legislative process, thus limiting any intervention or influence that civil society can have in this area. Secondly, although relations between the Palestine National ...» more
Mechanisms for Increasing Voice and Accountability
Whilst there is a vast literature on the importance of citizen voice and accountability in governance and development, there remain relatively few evaluations of the impact of donor programmes in this area. Several studies conclude there is a need for more evidence of why certain accountability mechanisms work well in certain contexts. There does not appear to be any research ...» more
Civil Society and Excluded Groups
There is a dearth of comprehensive studies that look precisely at the ‘value added’ of working through civil society to reach excluded, marginalised and vulnerable groups. This helpdesk research report thus relies on a range of more general literature on civil society and thematic and country case studies, drawing out information and findings on positive impacts from civil ...» more
Promoting the Economic Participation of Women
Facilitating the participation of women in economic life is seen to provide financial gain at both household and national level, as well as having long-term impacts upon poverty reduction through creating changes in the intergenerational transmission of poverty processes. However, enabling women to participate in economic life is subject to both formal and informal constraints: ...» more