Interdisciplinary Seminar:
Women and the Information Society
Convener: Pieke Hoekstra, the Netherlands

ICTs for LDCs : a critical look at Guyana and the English-speaking Caribbean
Fay A. Austin, International Member, USA

ICTs have become the buzzword for development in the 21st century. However, measured caution is appropriate for all parties as well-meaning donors and advisers in developed countries rush to promote and provide Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for the Least or Lesser Developed Countries (LDCs). This researcher contends that when faced with an overwhelming list of Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), governments in the LDCs will ultimately be better served by investing in Education to ensure a lasting return on investment. Highlighting the case of Cuba and other countries where in the 1990’s education for all was emphasized as a critical goal, the report will showcase current practices in Guyana as this country embraces the goal of utilizing the new technologies to improve the education system and harness the much needed development of human capital.

However, Guyana does not have to totally re-invent the educational system to provide benefits for all. Indeed, positive contributions can be made by non-governmental organizations and well-meaning donors utilizing and reinforcing existing infrastructure to boost the advantages of ICTs. The Public Library System in Guyana will be examined as an under-utilized and largely unrecognized “building block” that can help Guyana to reach its EFA(Education for All) goals.

In summary, governments in the LDCs must maintain ownership and veto power over all ICT development projects. Total reliance on private companies, unfamiliar with the existing infrastructure, as suppliers and providers of hardware, software and content is both risky and dangerous.

Fay Angela Austin, Head of Monographs Cataloging at Rutgers University Libraries, holds a BA from the University of Guyana and a Masters of Library Science from Kent State University, USA. She is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Special Libraries Association (New Jersey Chapter) and of the New Jersey Law Librarians Association and a member of the Education Committee of the United Nations Association (UNA-USA).