>Submission deadline: May 1, 2005 > >Information Communication Technologies and Human Development: >Opportunities and Challenges >A book edited by >Mila Gascó-Hernández (International Institute on Governance of >Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain), Fran Equiza-López (Intermón-Oxfam, >Barcelona, Spain), and Manuel Acevedo-Ruiz (Independent consultant, >Madrid, Spain) > >Introduction >Technology has always played a decisive role in humanity progress. >Throughout history, it has not only strengthened economic >development but has become a powerful tool for human development >from a Senian point of view (that is, human development as the >capacity of an individual to live the life s/he considers worthy >living). Nevertheless, the positive impacts technology may have on >human development may become tainted by the risks it entails. Left >adrift, the technological tools may become a dangerous and wicked >instrument. They may give rise to a social exclusion, economic >inequality, tension and violence growth. That is why it is so >important to design human development policies in the context of >the information and knowledge society that promote the use of new >technologies in the widening of the basic structure of rights and >opportunities that allow the individuals to exercise their freedom >to develop those capacities and to fulfill those achievements that >give sense to their lives. > >The Overall Objective of the Book >This book is aimed at understanding how ICTs can contribute to >human development in several areas. Therefore, it aspires to >describe the link between ICTs and human development (which includes >economic, social and political development), to identify the >potential applications of ICTs in several areas, and to provide >insightful analysis about those factors (also contextual and >institutional ones) that affect ICTs for development initiatives >success or failure. > >The Target Audience >The book will be useful to politicians and public sector officials >(civil servants) who need a convenient source of information on >what ICTs can do for the development of their communities. It will >also provide insights and support to development professionals who >want to further explore the potential of ICTs for development such >as headquarters and field offices staff of large development >organizations, NGOs staff and volunteers or bilateral development >agencies staff. Finally, it will interest academicians, researchers >and students interested in the ICTs for development field. > >Recommended topics include but are not limited to the following: >ICTs and education >ICTs and health >ICTs and agriculture >ICTs and commerce >ICTs and citizen participation >ICTs and the environment >ICTs and disasters management >ICTs and poverty alleviation >ICTs and gender equality >ICTs and human rights >ICTs and international cooperation >The digital divide >The conceptual link between ICTs and human development > > >SUBMISSION PROCEDURE >Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before >May 1, 2005, a 2-5 page manuscript proposal clearly explaining the >mission and concerns of the proposed chapter. Authors of accepted >proposals will be notified by May 15, 2005 about the status of >their proposals and sent chapter organizational guidelines. Full >chapters are expected to be submitted by August 15, 2005. All >submitted chapters will be reviewed on a blind review basis. The >book is scheduled to be published by Idea Group, Inc., >www.idea-group.com, publisher of the Idea Group Publishing, >Information Science Publishing, IRM Press, CyberTech Publishing, and >Idea Group Reference imprints in 2005. > >Inquiries and submissions can be forwarded electronically (Word >document) or by mail to: > >Dr. Mila Gascó-Hernández >C/ Balmes 335-337, entlo. 1ª >08006 Barcelona (Spain) >Tel.: 34-93-2370388 Fax: 34-93-2376026 >e-mail: [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] > > >Hay que evaluar esta mensaje y responder a [log in to unmask] > >Observatorio para la CiberSociedad >http://www.cibersociedad.net