Development, Globalisation and ICT: Defining the ’D’ in ICT4D

The International Network for Post Graduate Students in the Area of ICT4D (IPID) and Karlstad University invited IPID members to a graduate course in development theories. The course, an introduction in development theories and a wish to define ‘D' in ICT4D was offered due to the high demand from the IPID members.

The course provided a solid background for advanced studies in ICT4D as well as insights into some of the most influential development theories. The selection is made on the basis of classical bodies of ideas with a strong impact on recent notions of development. The course moreover illuminates development theory from various angles, especially the perspectives of different social sciences. It also investigated development theory in relation to the process of globalization.

The first sets of seminars were held in September 2008, where guest lecturers provided an overview of the course literature, which was discussed with the students. Among the guest lecturers were Dr. Peter Smekal (Uppsala University), Dr. Anders Danielson (Ministry for Foreign Affairs) and Dr. Paula Uimonen (Stockholm University).

After the first set of seminars the students will write a paper on her/his research on ICT4D in relation to ‘development', based on the course literature. This paper will serve as part of the examination. The participants will return to Karlstad in January 2009. During this second set of seminars the papers will be discussed and peer reviewed. The students will be divided into 3 groups with each lecturer as their supervisor. Each student will present and discuss their paper for 30 minutes, and the examination seminar is finalized with a discussion of 60 minutes.