Adoption of the internet in rural NGOs in indonesia - a study on internet appropriation for rural sector reform

Today rural sector reform is a paramount issue in Indonesian development. Yet, different social actors have different perspectives and stances towards it. Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in Indonesia have established themselves in pivotal positions in the social, economic and political landscape across the country, and a large number of their works has often been connected with development in rural sector. This paper discusses an empirical study to see how some Indonesian NGOs, in their endeavor to respond and broaden the discourse, utilise internet technology.

The author highlights that two related issues are at stakes. First, amidst everything else, for most NGOs working in rural sector reform, technology is not seen as a compelling issue. Second, the study finds that there is a real need for a further thinking and reflection focusing on what can actually be done with the strategic implementation of the Internet within organisations working in rural issues generally. The author concludes that there are some strategic areas in NGOs activism where the Internet can be, and have been, used strategically and politically to advance NGOs’ involvement in rural sector reform but further thinking is required.