What effects does web2.0 have on development aid?

Jul / 01 / 2007

The new web does not only offer a great potential for development in different domains, it also has its implications for traditional development aid, said Giulio Quaggiotto and Pierre Wielezynski in their recent article, “Development 2.0: A New Paradigm for the Non-Profit Sector?” The authors highlight different facets of web2.0 (e.g. free development data, the long tail and collective intelligence) and how it has already changed the nonprofit sector.

In my opinion, particular NGOs and new webbased actors redefine development and challenge traditional development agencies.

More at the web2fordev blog

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Moses March 19, 2008 at 10:45 am

Bill Easterly, formerly of World Bank prominence, always manages to ruffle the establishment. This time the establishment is Bill Gates, the philanthropist extra special. Gates in recent times told the Wall Street Journal that he hated Easterly’s latest book. Easterly was keen to respond. The general idea of Easterly’s argument is that the profit motive of capitalism is stronger – and more effective in reducing poverty – than the philanthropy motive of donors.

ckreutz March 19, 2008 at 10:52 am

Thanks Moses for your comment. I read also Easterly’s book and found it quite good particular in his differentiation between planers and searcher in the development field. I agree that the business plays a decisive poverty reduction but I doubt it is always the most effective. The privatization of public institutions shows both examples for success and failure. Can you please send me a link to the interview with Gates. Sounds interesting.

Moses March 19, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Jaakko H. March 25, 2009 at 9:06 am

“In my opinion, particular NGOs and new webbased actors redefine development and challenge traditional development agencies.”

… And nothing much has changed in over 2(!) years.

” I agree that the business plays a decisive poverty reduction but I doubt it is always the most effective. ”

Me three. But what I’m really fascinated about are the opportunities that combining market mechanisms and philanthropic may posses. Just think of the Social Business model that Yunus has coined and from with the “normal” social entrepreneur is not that far away.

Interesting times…

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