International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD)

In each of the countries, there is intensive communication between IICD and its local partners, and increasingly among the partners themselves. This latter is mainly via regular face-to-face meetings of the local 'focus groups', but is also increasingly part of local 'information exchange and networking' (IN) activities as well as via the various 'technical update seminars' and other training events organised by local training partners.

Within the IN activities mentioned above, the local partners start with: local 'ICT for development' websites; newsletters; e-discussions; awareness raising combined with local learning, research, and writing; and online discussions in so-called Dgroups. This is focussed towards local IICD partners as well as any other actors working with ICTs in the country. The desired result is a dynamic community and debate in which local policies and projects (as well as key stakeholders like the media) are well-informed about the potentials of ICTs and development, and especially about local activities. Occasionally local partners from various countries gather at a so called Cross-Country Learning Event, wherein practitioners meet each other face-to-face to share experiences and discuss ideas on how best to move forward with the expertise they have on the use of ICTs in a specific sector.

From The Hague, IICD maintains the standard corporate tools - annual report, press releases, website, and a limited series of thematic briefs. In addition, the iConnect platform for ICT4D practitioners features ICT developments in the countries where IICD works, as well as the work of its local and international partners.

New Technologies, Health, Education, Economic Development, Good Governance, Citizen Participation, the Environment, Gender, and Youth.

The IICD strategy is mainly delivered through country programmes comprising locally-owned ICT for development networks, local stakeholder consultation processes leading to project and policy formulation, local knowledge learning and sharing efforts, capacity building and training of trainers, and monitoring and evaluation. The country programmes are complemented by thematic knowledge sharing networks and global partnerships that link partners in the countries with each other and with regional and global expertise (on topics like e-governance, e-business, e-learning, and evaluation).

The Global Teenager Project is a special initiative with secondary schools that fosters international linkages, provides some technical support, and facilitates the development and delivery of educational content via internet 'Learning Circles'. It is active in 33 countries including the IICD countries Ghana and Zambia.

Each country programme is a multi-year effort. Local partners are drawn from all elements of government, the private sector, and civil society. These partners are the key 'infomediaries' with whom IICD seeks to reach out to empower local organisations and stakeholders to make effective use of ICTs.