Peoples’ report on MDG: Bangladesh: information and communication technology

This paper provides a critique of the current agenda for achieving the MDG as regards ICT in Bangladesh. The MDG target, which focuses on connectivity (by measuring phones, computers and internet per 100 people) is completely on the wrong footing, it argues, and unlikely to achieve the goal of poverty reduction.

Specifically, the paper makes the following criticisms:

• the current agenda prioritizes the use of ICTs in those areas which are often least achievable
  and will not automatically play a contributing role to poverty alleviation
• brigning connectivity and technology to the poor without making them relevant to the livelihood of the
  poor people is unrealistic
• the current target is confined to the private sector. However, while private sector investment is important for achieving progress, it is foolish to expect that private sector will invest into the poor

The paper emphasises that making ICTs accessible to the poor and relevant to their livelihoods is a complex process. For example, it argues that only local language livelihood content can make a difference and the delivery mechanism is also crucial.

The authors also highlight the potential role of ICT in achieving other MDG goals in Bangladesh, for instance to universalise quality health care services, accelerate poverty alleviation, enhance the efficiency of the government and improve resource allocation and fiscal measures.

In order to contribute to poverty alleviation, the paper recommendations the following alterations should be made to the MDG target on ICT:

• an additional target should be included under the MDG on ICT, which the paper suggests should be: "promoting public, private and third sector for developing and disseminating local livelihood content, which either increase income or reduce cost of livelihood for the community people."
• special efforts at the grass root level to make ICTs benefit the poor
• new achievement indicators are needed to measure the benefits of ICTs by the poor and the vulnerable groups.