Technology and Development
People caring about developing countries tend to think of aid as food, medicines or books. That is, cooperation for development is usually associated with hunger alleviation, health care and education but seldom with technology. However, technology is at the basis of human development.
Some people could be puzzled. Technology? That’s about the latest smart phone, isn’t it? Why should a poor farmer in West Africa need those things? But technology is much more than those impressive electronic gadgets. For instance, we are so used to some technologies such as water supply and sanitation that we never think about them. But those technologies are key for developing countries.
Going further, it’s not just a matter of which technology but also a matter of how it is applied. One needs a broad concept of technology if a real change is wanted. Technology is not just buying, deploying and commissioning the pumps, the pipes or whatever. Technology is letting people understand, build, operate and own the technical systems that are going to improve their lives. If water is a Human Right, then pumps are not just machines.
All these ideas are presented and discussed in the subject “Technology and Development” in EOI’s International Master on Sustainable Development. The enormous potential of technology to foster development is widely recognized by international agencies like UNDP. It is also the mission of some NGOs like ONGawa – Ingeniería para el Desarrollo Humano (formerly known as ‘Ingeniería Sin Fronteras – Asociación para el Desarrollo’). This 20-years-old association has about 1,350 members and works in the fields of water, land management, agriculture, ICT and energy in Nicaragua, Perú, Tanzania and Mozambique. In Spain ONGawa promotes education for development in the High Technical Schools, the participation of public and private companies in development aid and aims to raise awareness on how technology can alleviate poverty.
ONGawa’s experience is reviewed in IMSD as a way of showing an example of social entrepreneurship.
Miguel Pantoja, IMSD’s teacher
184 comentarios /
19 Sep 2011
por
Redes
economía social /
development, IMSD, social economy, technology
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