Today, the 'digital divide' is narrowing as more people benefit from advanced telecommunications and other technologies. Link together the pieces of information to show how technology can begin a 'virtuous circle' of development. Print it out when you've finished.
Based on information in chapter 2, UN Human Development Report 2001
Visit the Digital Divide Network, a group of educators, activists and policymakers that are working to narrow the digital divide.
Measuring the digital divide
The UN has created a new way of measuring a country's development based on technology called the 'Technology Achievement Index', or TAI.
Are there any countries that appear to score more highly on the Technology Achievement Index than the Human Development Index?
Why do you think this is?
Improvements in technology are making a difference. Click on the map to find out more.
For other success stories, visit the Hands On website.
In groups, imagine you are working for the UK government�s Department for International Development (DFID).
As a team, you have been asked to review how the UK could make best use of its spending on aid to meet the �Millennium Development Goals� and so halve poverty by 2015.
Try to persuade your colleagues at DFID that more UK aid should be spent on technology as a way of reducing poverty. Use the examples of existing projects around the world to make your arguments convincing.
Write down your arguments on one side of A4
Try to divide up your arguments to cover as many of the eight Millennium Development Goals as possible.
Click here if you need a quick reminder of the Millennium Development Goals.
