Information for Development

This article describes the components that are necessary for successful development strategies. The author, Karl Harmsen, first defines information as well as development before getting into the details of what he means by "information for development." First he mentions two key aspects of information: the
content of the information and who the audience is for the information. When looking at the definition of development, Harmsen lists a large number of ideas
associated with the word including "the development strategy, the policy and socio-economic environment, the institutional environment and governance, and
the delivery mechanism, including target systems, target audience, and the actors and institutions involved in the developmental process."

Harmsen describes essential elements needed in building a development strategy which include, as a start, a definition of what is being developed as well as objectives (what achievements are hoped for.) According to Harmsen, part of the process often requires changes in respect to how people act as well as how the process proceeds. Important as well is ensuring that key individuals and institutions are identified at the beginning of a process. Harmson notes that one of the main failures of development strategies is lack of community participation. He also suggest that it is important to look at milestones along the way and ensure that corrective measures are taken as needed.

The author mentions the need to access "relevant and adequate information" as another integral component of a development project, if it is to be successful. He describes information that should be "needs driven, accessible to all social strata, in all relevant languages, and in an economically sustainable
fashion."

According to the article, technology is referred to as "only a tool" because it does not have the capacity to solve a problem. When seeking to implement a
successful information and technology strategy, the article describes a need for clarity and transparency when it comes to implementation. Harmsen points
out that there are issues which require special consideration and they include "poverty alleviation and equitable income distribution, increasing government
revenues and decreasing defense spending, and the establishment of good governance and appropriate institutions." Strong government involvement and
commitment is needed for poverty allevation including the collaboration and coordination between development agencies. Harmsen identifies limiting factors which can hurt the process as lack of commitment from government agencies, poor governance, lack of appropriate institutions or human factors.

The article closes with this quote from James D. Wolfensohn, of the World Bank: “Eradicating poverty is the greatest challenge of our age, and the greatest
weapon we have to fight poverty is knowledge.”