Q473 9The Newsletter of the im7foDev Community

in]bDevissue 1 l,January-March 2002

- eXchangeinfoDev Launches the eXchange Meetswith

'Incubator Initiative' Seymour PapertiSeymour Papert wvas thefirst, in the

sixties, to talk about children usingOne of the mechanisms that infoDev is about to launch the computers as instrumentsfor leami-has been used for more than 'Incubator Program', a three- ing andfor enhancing creativitj. Ittwo decades to nurture small year flagship initiative aimed was in his laboratory, at the MITbusiness firms is "incuba- at experimenting and pro- MediaLab,thatchildrenfirsthadthe

, . .. . . , , | ~~~~~~~~~~~~chance to use computers to zvunte andtion'. Incubators provide moting new development chanegtohuse c om prowrand1make graphics. The Logo programi-qualifying new start-up busi- patterns and methodologies I ming language wvas created there, as

nesses with a set of facilities specifically targeting busi- were the first children's toys with- physical space, shared ser- ness incubators in the devel- built-in computation.vices, business and legal ad- oping world. Today Papert is considered the

,. . . . I zoo~~~~~~~~~~~~rld'sforemost expert on hozv tech-vice, and financial inputs - to (Continues on page 2) ' sonology can provide new wvays to learn.

facilitate their creation and iHe has carried out educationialassist them until "gradua- u projects on evenj continent, some oftion", when they have the ca- - them in remote villages in develop-pacity to "survive" in the out- 1|1 t r. f ingcountries.

side environ e_- IProfessor Papert attended the open-slde competitive env1ron- l ',ing session of the infoDev Synmpo-

ment. I I sium in December 2001 with a lively- - and somezwhat provocative presenta-

Also in this Issue: -- tinSitting between World Bank Presi-

Barbara L Haeyothedent, Jim Wolfensohn, and formerIBarbara L. Harleyon the ,. n President of Costa Rica, Jose Maria| International Business Incubator | Figueres, Seymour Papert remarked

The World Dialogue on ! this was an unprecedented opportu-z Regulation of Network Economies: | nity to raise strong points about ICT

A and education. No doubt, he lived uIpAn Update World Batik President James Wolfensohn !to his promise.

Can ICTs Harness Change in our aw'ard DvlpetMrtlaepze Professor Papert kindly accepted toI Soceties A Prsentaion b John to the infoDev-selected Project 'Maestros be in terviewved by the eXchange afteriSocieties7. A Presentation by John al blD gfg r e3pTrie yabZrkidyajcpe o'

.GageattheinfoDevSyrnposium Read the fuill story on page 18 8 (Contnues on page 12)__ ___________ ____ - - - - . - - -________ _____________________________ . _ ____________ - - - - - -. ___________ ___________________ L _____________________

"infoDev promotes innovative projects on the use of information and communicationtechnologiesfor economic and social development, with a special emphasis on the

needs of the poor in developing economies."

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MnI/bDe v eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

~~~~~~~~ -. cu t, tAll About dhe Vc bator I-itiaUvn

The role of Small and Medi- succeed. In spite of this, incu- business incubation in develop-um Enterprises (SMEs) in bators still do not exist in most ing countries, requires a freshgrowth and development is uni- developing countries, particu- and innovative approach, andversally recognized. Over the larly where they are needed a strong developmental focus.last decades, governments have most and where they can makebeen playing a key role in de- the most dramatic difference in The infoDev Incubator Ini-fining policies, programs, and the development equation, even tiativeinstruments which support the though these countries could The Incubator Initiative pro-development of SMEs. The pri- greatly benefit from them. moted by infoDev aims at cre-vate sector has also showed an Most of the debate around in- atively exploring new optionsincreased interest in the oppor- cubators centers around the is- for supporting incubators in thetunities offered by the support sue of of sustainability. Many developing world. Given theto small business ventures. argue that incubators -although large potential benefits for de-

Incubators have played a useful to help entrepreneurship veloping countries, and the lackmeaningful role in supporting flourish- are not sustainable, as of private sector financing inprivate sector development. they tend to require consider- the current climate, donor sup-

Most developing countries able investment against a limit- port for incubation has takenhave experimented with a va- ed capacity to generate reve- on a renewed importance.riety of programs and schemes nues. With support from the govern-which support small and medi- The only exception to this rule ment of Japan, the Initiative isum enterprises, often with as- is in the ICT sector, where the designed initially as a three-yearsistance from multilateral and fast growing industry and the program, and is aimed at pro-bilateral organizations. Tradi- value provided by successful moting economic growth bytional business incubation pro- equity participations enabled fostering private sector devel-grams or initiatives have arisen some incubators to thrive, par- opment. The infoDev Incubatorin the last decade with varying ticularly in the U.S. This was the Initiative pursues four maindegrees of success. Examples case until the downturn in ICT objectives. These include:include the support to Incuba- markets, which had a negative - improving the perfor-tors' development provided by impact especially on the purely mance of existing Incubators inUNDP and the European Com- private incubation model. developing countries, achiev-mission, as well as a few bilat- As regards Incubators in de- ing higher 'survival rates' of in-eral cooperation assistance pro- veloping countries - where the cubated companies, growthgrams. Several countries, in- challenges are more evident, and sustainability;cluding China, Israel, Korea and the sustainability issue is - promoting a synergetic ap-and Brazil, have extensively pro- even more compelling than in proach focused on the needs ofmoted national programs sup- industrialized countries - there Incubators in developing coun-porting the development of in- is broad consensus on one as- tries, based on improved

2 cubators in their own countries. pect: that the incubation con- knowledge, networking andThere is evidence from various cept needs an an overall re- capacity building;developing regions that incuba- thinking. To operate successful- - seizing new opportunities of-tor initiatives help entrepre- ly in the our world today, a pro- fered by the more advanced useneurs launch their business and gram specifically focused on of ICTs within incubators, as-

iifiOL)ex eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

sessing incubators' strategies and developing countries, this is launch the request for propos-and processes; and Initiative will facilitate their net- als to set up an Incubator Sup-- fostering entrepreneurship in working in order to harness the port Center. The Support Cen-developing countries, support- potential of North-to-South, ter responds to a specific needing the analysis and testing of South-to-North, and South-to- shared by most incubators innew incubator approaches South flow of information. This the developing world - to dealwithin challenging private sec- means that, in the infoDev In- with the need to share knowl-tor environments. cubator Initiative, special con- edge, best practices, experience

The initiative will promote sideration will be given to for- and services. The Center will beseveral activities, including the mulating best practices and les- responsible for content creationassessment of private sector de- sons learnt by incorporating a (studies, collection of best prac-velopment and Incubator- regional focus, and ensuring tices, toolkits and methodolo-readiness at country level; the that national and regional issues gies), content disseminationcollection of best practices and are adequately addressed. (web delivery; seminars andcommon performance objec- other ad hoc initiatives), andtives and indicators; the devel- The Work Plan service provision (training, on-opment of a toolkit; the provi- As Vivek Chaudhry, infoDev line advisory services targetedsion of on-line advisory servic- Program Administrator, points to the needs of Incubators in de-es; the support to the improve- out, "the first thing we will do veloping economies).ment, sustainability, andgrowth of existing Incubators indeveloping countries; and tech- What are Incubators?nical assistance and support tothe planning of new Incuba- Business incubators provide general business/corporate servic-

The ifoDev Incubator Initia- es, includingfacilities and advisory services, to start-ups andtive seeks to leverage the expe- growing companies across all sectors.rience of the World Bank group Incubators are generally characterized by severalfeatures, in-in assisting developing coun- cluding:tries by sharing international - a managed work space providing sharedfacilities, advisory,experience with them on incu- training andfinancial services, - a nurturing environmentforbators and providing initial tenant companies;funding supporting the estab- - a small management team with core competencies; andlishment of local incubators. - the selection of start-up companies entering the incubator, 10-

Given the various levels of 15 on average, to be graduated generally after 3 years.technological advancementand entrepreneurial skills in dif- Incubator models may vary according to their mandate (for-ferent countries, the Initiative profit or non-for-profit), the hype of sponsorship they have (pub-aims to bridge this divide with lic -private - mixed capital), and theirfocus (mixed-use - niche).a proactive program that will The most common type of niche incubators are related to tech-be designed to provide inter- nology (technology incubators) and bio-technology (bio-incu-ventions as appropriate to the bators). A new generation of ICT incubators has emerged rap-level of business and technolo-gy development in World Bank idly in the past few years, particularly in the U.S. 3

client countries.Recognizing that there are

many incubators in developed .

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS 09/05/2002The World Bank 12:38:42 PM

To: All Bank Group StaffSubject: Update #40: Johannesburg, Results, Fall Meetings, 9/11 and more

1. The Bank and Johannesburg2. FY03 Focus on Results3. Fall Meetings Update4. Staff Connections: New Intranet Launch5. Remembering September 11

1. The Bank and Johannesburg. The Bank restated its commitment to sustainable development at theglobal summit in Johannesburg. The new World Development Report, launched in the run-up to thesummit, warned that "Without better policies and institutions, social and environmental strains may deraildevelopment progress, leading to higher poverty levels and a decline in the quality of life for everybody." Inan opinion piece that ran in the global media, Jim Wolfensohn said that as well as this massive challenge,there were also "windows of opportunity, if world leaders and policy makers meeting in Johannesburgmuster the courage to pledge--and follow through on--bold actions over the next 10 to 15 years." He willbrief staff on the outcome of Johannesburg by live webcast on Thursday, September 12, from 10:30 to11:30 a.m. (EST) - the link will be on the intranet homepage.2. FY03 Focus on Results. In an end-of-summer message, Jim Wolfensohn thanked staff for the solidperformance of the past fiscal year. He said the focus in FY03 will be on implementation andresults--especially in terms of country development outcomes. 'We have always been committed togetting results, but we are now making an effort to be even more systematic, building on the gains inrecent years on quality," he said. The Board is reviewing the status of the Bank's efforts in this area andWolfensohn indicated that he would also be discussing it with the Development Committee during theupcoming Fall Meetings.

3. Fall Meetings Update. The Fall Meetings on September 28-29 will be held on Bank/ IMF premises--theU.S. authorities having determined that, for security reasons, it is better to hold the Meetings in one centrallocation. In a a recent interview, Pete Gallant, head of Security and Pat Davies, head of the Bank/FundConference Office, said that special attention is being given to managing the security and organizationalaspects of the Meetings. "Most of the protest groups who will be in town during this time have agendasthat do not involve the Bank or IMF," they said, "recognizing of course that these groups are using thetiming of the Meetings as an opportunity to make their voices heard." Staff are urged to check regularlythe Kiosk and Annual Meetings website for updates.

4. Staff Connections: New Intranet Launch. The new face of the Bank's Intranet home page,namedStaff Connections, will be launched this weekend. Improvements have been made based on staffsuqqestions and the changes should make it easier for staff to find the information they need. See 10Things You Need To Know About Staff Connections.

5. Remembering September 11. Jim Wolfensohn has invited all staff in Washington to join him in theMC atrium at noon on Wednesday, September 11 for a brief commemoration of 9/11. He said CountryOffices may also wish to mark the event as they deem appropriate. In addition, staff have the opportunityto express and share with colleagues their thoughts and comments in a discussion forum: Reflections onSeptember 11.

InfoL)ev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

Immediately following the challenging environments. but this will depend on the typeestablishment of the Center, we Any type of organization, of activities proposed, and onwill announce the first round of i.e., government entities, munic- the development impact expect-calls for proposals for grants to ipalities, private groups, or pub- ed."support existing business incu- lic-private consortiums, will be More information about thebators. The objective is to help able to submit proposals for infoDev Incubator Initiative willexisting incubators improve technical assistance grants. We be posted in the infoDev web-their own performance, and have estimated that the average site at www.infodev.orgbridge the gap between their grant funding will be $500,000,current progress and their de-velopment potential. Incuba-tors may have different types of Useful Links on Incubatorsneeds including: the reassess-ment of the strategy or activity * ADT - Association of German Technology and Busi-focus of the incubator; the re- ness Incubation Centres, Germany (www.adt-organization or re-engineering online.de/)of its own activities; the re-def- * ANPROTEC - Brasilian Association of Science Parksinition of its governance struc- and Incubators, Brazil (www.anprotec.org.br/)ture, partnerships, or opera- * ANZABI - Australian and New Zealand Association oftional guidelines; training and/ Business-Incubators, NSW, Australiaor capacity building activities; (www.anzabi.comusau/)the strengthening of network- * Canadian University and College Related Incuba-ing or computing facilities; the tors, Canada-(www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/SSG/restructuring of funding mech- tfO01 18e.html)anisms; and so on. * CABI - Canadian Association of Business Incubators

Last but not least, infoDev (www.cabi.ca/)-will launch a set of call for pro- * ENTERWeb: website for Micro, Small and Mediumposals for the development of Enterprise Development (www.enterweb.org/)activities targeting those coun- * European Business & Innovation Centre Networktries that cannot draw on ade- (www.ebn.be/)quate private sector develop- * Association Nationale des Dirigeants de Pepinieresment environments, including / French Network of Incubator Managers, Francethe most disadvantaged coun- (www.pepinieres-elan.asso.fr/)tries or communities. The objec- * International Association of Science Parks, Westerntive of this component of the In- Australia.(www.iaspworld.org/)cubator Initiative is to: help- Israeli Technology Business Incubators, Israelcountries assess the specific (www.incubators.org.il/)gaps hampering ICT private Polish Business And Innovation Centres Associationsector development; provide (www.sooipp.org.pl/)specific technical assistance as * United Nations Industrial Development Organiza-identified and requested; set up tion, Incubator site (www.unido.org/strategies to assess the develop- stdoc.cfm?did=30Q456)mental impact and determine United Kingdom Business Incubation, United King-success criteria, and design? dom (www.ukbi.co.uk/)conduct? feasibility studies sup- NBIA - National Business Incubators Association,porting the planning of new USA (www.nbia.org/)ICT Incubators in particularly . .

iifoDev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

*'& B(;iLSa*), 1--. a leyo n t

Internatio S sib iess I ncu'- kator

Barbara L. Harley has spent niost of her professional career assist- business incubators as incubatorsing start-up businesses. Over the last 13 years she has actively sup- abroad, in Silicon Valley. Theyported business incubation worldwide. She is a founder and Executive each came to us to seek help withDirector of the International Business Incubator in Silicon Valley, a establishing the incubator, learn-unique kind of incubator exclusively for international companies. As ing how to create policies andthe first and most successful international incubator, the International procedures appropriate to Cali-Business Incubator has expanded its role to an 'incubator of incuba- fornia. Those countries includetors', hosting groups of companies within international for-profit and Korea, Scotland, India's Softwaregovernment-sponsored incubators, business centers and business ac- Technology Association, and Ja-celerators. pan. All of them opened up very

We have asked Barbara Harley to tell us about her views of the near us, in downtown San Jose,incubator industry around the world. California.

The foreign incubators are asurprise. We did not know when

When did you start working with eign companies and even other in- we were creating our incubatorIncubators, and how did it happen? cubators, trying to take advantage that there would be this oppor-

I started working with busi- of the Silicon Valley business mod- tunity. The governments came toness incubators thirteen years el. VWhat is the strategy behind this us because they knew what weago, when I discovered all they approach, and what results have were doing.could do to help young compa- you achieved so far? Our strategy for creating thenies or entrepreneurs, and I liked We are certainly not the only Intemational Business Incubatorvery much the process of work- incubator in the world 'incubat- in San Jose was that the city ofing with a number of companies ing' foreign companies. The In- San Jose was redeveloping itsat the same time. I became aware ternational Business Incubator downtown and to be more fo-of them through some magazine was the first in the United States, cused on internet, IT, softwarearticles on incubators in the Mid- but then there have been two projects, for small businesses andwest and the East Coast of the others that have been opened up very large businesses at the sameUnited States, and then discov- at universities, one at the Univer- time. This was an opportunity toered who was working in incu- sity of Pennsylvania and anoth- attract international companies,bators in California and met with er at George Mason University in smaller ones, as part of that ICTthem, and decided to work with Arlington, Virginia. They have mix, and when I suggested thisthem. So I had my first assign- somewhat different models. I idea to the city they liked it veryment managing a new for-profit think we are the only incubator much, so they became a founderincubator in 1990. in the world that has been incu- of the incubator, which is a not-

bating incubators, because there for-profit organization. The strat-You are probably in the only incu- were a number of governments egy behind our approach was tobator in the world 'incubating' for- that wanted to create their own help the city attract the small

infioL)v eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

emerging teclnology companies ing the late 1990s there was a approach can often be adapted infrom other countries, which was desire by many governments, other countries. We build up aa new concept We are basically only a few of which actually group of consultants in businessan in-bound incubator, we are implemented a plan, to create an development, finance, and legalan inward investment project. incubator to serve their ICT com- issues to provide some free timeThe results have been extraordi- panies in Silicon Valley. In a to each of our clients. ThatYs a verynary. In five years, the sales tax sense, the governments were good model. It works if you are inand employment revenues have creating a single-country com- a country or a region where thereproduced about ten dollars for petitor to the IBI which accepts are consultants who would lookevery dollar the city has invest- companies from every country. upon this as a good marketing op-ed. I don't believe this type of Thetermforthishasbecome"in- portunity for their businesses.project would work well in ev- cubators abroad." China, for They meet with the companies,ery region. To some extent, yes, instance has announced plans to maybe twice, for free, and thenbut not necessarily that large, create an incubator for Chinese after that there may be a contract.because we are in Silicon Valley, companies in Russia. So what that offers our clients, allin which there is this strong de- The IBI's help for these gov- of whom are established compa-sire by many companies to have ernments was to "incubate" nies in other countries, is that theysome entry into the US. It has their incubators in the initial can meet three or four differentbeen successful because in Silicon phases and then to provide ad- consultants in the same field, get-Valley there is already a built-in vice and assistance in creating ting quite a few hours of free dis-market, and since our clients all their physical location, policies cussion, and then they have acome from other countries, they and procedures, and in training whole group to look at, to see ifcome without a place to live, their new staff members. those individuals work well to-without transportation, without gether with them. There has to bea bank account in the U.S., so VIA/at types of special services at adaptation to that in each coun-there's a lot of financial opportu- your incubator can be used for try. Certainly, the American com-nity for the businesses and pro- incubators In other countries.?fessional groups in our city to Incubator specialists fromwork with these companies, that other countries often visit us andis one of the outcomes. The other study our approach. We try tois that a lot of these companies explain our approach to work- . .attract other visitors to the city, ing with clients and with inter-that might not have come to San national clients so that theyJose. There is a glamour to go to make adopt some of them. For ;4San Francisco. San Jose is sort of instance, we have noticed that, t

a business town, and is not nec- in many countries, the incuba-essarily a tourist destination, so tors try to hire all the experts Uwe have increased the visitor they need inside the incubator .profile as well in the city. (lawyers, sales managers, ac- -

countants). This is a very ex-So how do you 'incubate Incuba- pensive process in the U.S. andtors': you help managers to devel- may limit the range of services Barbara L. Harley is a founder and

6 op a model they then bring back that the incubators can provide. Executive Director of the Interna-to their own countries? One of the techniques we use (as tional Business Incubator-in Silicon

No, primarily, we help other do many U.S. incubators) is to Valley.governments actually create their use many consultants to provide To Know more about this incuba-own incubators in the U.S. Dur- advice to our companies. This tor, please visit: www.ibi-sv.org

infiJ½v eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

panies in various countries, such usually not the building. Most neurs are engineers or technicalas Price Waterhouse, etc., are incubators in the U.S. are in re- people who have not necessarilyused to the concept and may be used space, older office buildings, had any small business or start-able to help local incubators cre- or older manufacturing facilities, up business experience. The smallate such a program But to answer but what is important is in iden- business is very different in itsyour question further, they take tifying the purpose of the incu- dynamics from a large business.back home some of our process- bator and then providing what Some incubators around thees, procedures, and guidelines, the companies will need. Gener- world have made the mistake toknowing that there is some part ally ICT is going to need a lot of chose an incubator manager withof these that needs to be re-adapt- fast Internet access, lots of pow- experience only with very largeed. The core issue is that they erful and reliable computers and businesses, or with the govern-need experts. No incubator ever servers; an incubator in another ment, and they don't have ahas a large enough staff to know field, such as manufacturing, will good understanding of the dy-everything. Incubator managers, need manufacturing equipment namics of a start-up company.especially, don't know every- and the kind of building space Incubators also need to have athing needed by their technolo- that is good for manufacturing. program that encourages thegy companies. So they have to Except for that part, the building companies to sell appropriately,find a way to bring experts from is less important than the pro- assess their market, assess theiroutside into the incubator to be gram of helping the incubator's competition, and chose their mar-with, from time to time, their cli- clients. The program includes ket appropriately. Maybe theyent businesses. So we try to make choosing the clients to fit the pur- work only in the local market, orclear they need the expertise. poses of the incubator, making in their regional market. To go

sure that choices are always in into a large developed marketYou have an extensive knowledge the industry or within the ac- such as the E.U. or the U.S. re-of the incubator industry around complishment levels required quires a great deal of sophistica-the world. Wihat are the main chal- (some incubators help the busi- tion, and the incubator for com-lenges incubators have to face in nesses create their business plan, panies willing to go global needsdeveloping countries today? other incubators require that the to spend a lot of time teaching the

Success for incubators is al- company have a business plan different aspects of assessingmost always defined in the num- before they will accept to review markets in other countries. Manyber of companies that an incuba- the company). In our case, in the of our clients are too optimistictor helps to become successful. International Business Incubator, when they come to us, becauseThe incubator generally is not in all of our clients must be estab- they believe that because they areits own way an activity outside lished companies in other coun- successful in their region they canof the fact that it is helping start- tries. They can't be start-ups, be- also be successful in the U.S. mar-up companies and entrepreneurs cause entering the U.S. market ket, which is not always true.in the region to be able to create takes a lot of resources, takes a They have so much competitionbusinesses. These businesses have lot of attention, so they need to in the U.S., for example. So theto move through the growth pro- have completed their products, priority is to create an appropri-cess rapidly enough, and gettheir have some products they have ate advising and training pro-products into market, before they been selling before we will re- gram, and to create opportuni-run out of money and other re- view them for having them come ties to introduce the client's busi-sources. So, the success of the in- in. What an incubator needs is in nesses to the right bankers, to in-cubator is almost always defined addition to entrance require- vestors, to corporate partners,in terms of the client's business ments, is a program of training because we find in the U.S. atsuccess story. If I am identifying and advice on developing the least, often it's a large corpora-the priorities for an incubator, its business because many entrepre- tion, an IBM for example, that

infol)ev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

will invest in product develop- governments are seeking to move future will take on a mix of a non-ment and become the first ven- out of financing incubators after profit and a for-profit incubator,ture capitalist Since an incuba- a number of years, but even in because an incubator may havetor is always, in part, a real es- the U.S. I believe it takes five years several purposes, one of whichtate situation, the management for sustainability unless it is a could be to encourage an indus-has to work itself as well as mar- market in which the young com- try, but they also need to chargeket its client companies. panies will grow rapidly and pro- at a higher rate for another set of

duce lots of equity for the incu- companies with which they willHow do you see incubators in de- bator, because there's just so be accelerating their entranceveloping countries becoming sus- much work that has to be done into the market.tainable? to help the company. I men- The International Business In-

This is always difficult, even tioned size of incubator and the cubator is itself a non-for-profitin developed countries. Many number of incubated companies: organization, and after five yearsthings are involved: the size of if the building is donated and we are close to becoming sustain-the incubator, in number of cli- there's no real estate cost in- able. We are now creating a for-ent businesses and how much it curred by the incubator, you can profit ann of our incubator as acan charge the client for the ser- make the incubator smaller in way of insuring sustainability,vices. Business incubators are of- size, but if you need revenues and but I don't believe we will be to-ten trying to achieve suAtainabil- service fees, then you need to tally self-sustaining for anotherity off the clients who are them- have a larger incubator with two years. I think for the first timeselves start-ups and do not have many clients so that you can in the thirteen years I have beensufficient money to pay for the spread operational costs across a in incubation, there are now afull range of services. So after the larger number perhaps twenty or large population of experts in in-government funding has begun so, companies at a time. Then you cubation, experienced managersto disappear, there must be oth- need staff and experts large who can share their informationer sources of revenue, or client enough in number to approach with developing countries. I be-companies must pay an equity twenty companies at the same lieve that incubator managersposition to the incubator that of- time, because you are with them need to have a group of friendsfers a return on investment at all the time. or associates to share experienc-least in a five-year period, but es. Conferences are also very use-usually not very quickly. Sustain- How do you imagine the incuba- ful because they can meet withability also includes having oth- tor industry in the future, and people with similar experienceser kinds of projects to help the what kind of evolution do you ex- and also people with very differ-incubators such as becoming a pect over the next ten years? ent experiences. I learned most ofbusiness center for the region, in The only thing that I know what I know about incubation bywhich other businesses are com- that is changing is the intention going to conferences and creat-ing to the incubator and paying by incubators to connect to other ing friendships with outstandingfor services. Also, incubators may incubators worldwide, so that professionals from Eastern Eu-need to develop a program to they have the resources of infor- rope, from Berlin, from Japan,. Ihave existing corporations be- mation and experience from each avoided many mistakes by theircome financial sponsors, because incubator. Even more important- advice. I believe the future of in-they get to meet the young tech- ly, incubators want their compa- cubation is leading to better waysnology companies and they can nies to become connected to com- to connect experts and new pro-benefit from new technologies panies in other incubators and in fessionals together and to connectand the creativity of the entrepre- other science parks for joint ven- the companies in incubatorsneurs. That's a very traditional tures, for opportunities for distri- around the world. The synergiesapproach in the U.S. Almost all bution. I believe incubators in the will be invaluable.

| ......... iInfo½ev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

Can ICT, 'ess Can9e?During the infoDev Symposium last December, John Gage, Chief Researcher We can develop a kn6wledge

& Co-founder of Sun Microsystems Inc., discussed how advanced information about how things can change. Wetools can shape the ways 'politics' and 'information' are handled and accessed, can show data on child mortalityand can become powerful engines of change. by moving from one block to an-

other in the same city. Is that poli-When John Gage took the floor, count that storing images and data tics? When we have tools enabling

that afternoon of December 5 th, is increasingly easy and affordable. us to have more precise knowledge,2001, at the infoDev Symposium, Keyhole fuses high-resolution and measure results, and thesefew people could imagine what satellite and aerial imagery, eleva- tools can show if promises havethey were about to see. tion data, GPS coordinates, and been fulfilled, how can we escape

He opened his laptop and a pic- overlay information about cities accountability?"ture of the Earth - rotating as a vid- and businesses to deliver a stream- Moreover, we can ask ourselveseo taken from a satelite - appeared ing, 3D map of the entire globe. The the impact such an instrument canon the screen. Then the 'navigation' result is a whole new way of look- have in the communications indus-towards the earth started, as if ing at the world - reach out and try. As John Gage observed, "If weplaced in a rockettraveling towards "grab" the earthwith your mouse, can show a child in China, withthe Earth We found ourselves over- pan quickly tc your area of interest his bright eyes, needing supportseeing the roof of the building and then zoom smoothly down to right now, we have a powerful toolwhere the conference was taking an individual building. Another in our hands to support him. It isplace. We saw the cars parked in click can add enterprise data, as the shift towards working in a per-the street and the trees in the mid- well as demographics, crime re- son-to person way. The possibilitydle of Washington Cirde. Our vir- ports or development plans. The of reaching out at a decentralizedtual flight continued right to the tool takes users beyond maps, level"World Bank's main building and merging satelite and aerial iinag- There are many issues that canthen to the Pentagon. We moved ery with corporate and organiza- be debated when we see a technol-West to Los Angeles to see what tional data using the Earth itself as ogy going so far, progressing prob-was going on atjohn Gage's house an interface. ably much faster than any currentand then continued to travel west- This technology is mainly used political and social environmentward to Tokyo and inside the Im- for business purposes, including John Gage would be among theperial Palace. It was a big surprise. real estate management and utili- first to raise questions regarding theThe platform presented by John ties planning. The coverageismain- consequences that such technolo-Gage is called EarthViewer, and it ly centered on urban areas. How- gy could have on the societieswas brought forth by Keyhole, a ever, the use of these tools can eas- around the world.company based in California. ily be extended to low density ar- If used properly, this technolo-

EarthViewer is based on a very eas, for instance for the monitoring gy offers tremendous opportunitieseffective mix of advanced database of agriculture or mining activities. to encourage decentralized em-technology and computer graph- What John Gage demonstrated powerment and thus, democrati-ics, with a touch of special effects. during his presentation was the zation in our societies.Mllions and milions of pictures of potentialiimpactof this kind of tech- John Gage's presentation can bethe earth, made by satellites and nology when applied to 'gover- viewed at: www.infodev.org/ 9planes are stored in a huge data- nance' and 'politics'. As John Gage symposium2001/. For informationbase. Data is colected and updat- pointed out, "we can show infor- about the EarthViewer technology,ed continuously, taking into ac- mation and make it 'actionable'. visit www.keyholecorp.com

'-foL3)ev eXchange

............... 1,_V;i 1IL?ry-M arch 2002

The Worid egoLn*.: on Re Walionof Network F' an3Jmies: As u

The Regulatory Colloquium on the changing role of governments in nated by LIRNE.NET, a con-an era of telecommunications regulation was started in 1993 and was sortium composed of the Tech-hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It was nical University of Denmarksupported until 1998 by several organizations, including the World and Delft University of Tech-Bank via the infoDev program. A new flagship initiative, the World nology, The Netherlands.Dialogue on Regulation of Network Economies (WDR), has now been LIRNE.NET was chosen by in-launched to pursue new regulatonr challenges regarding the develop- foDev in a competitive selec-ment of the global networked economy. tion process. The initiative was

formally launched at the in-Traditional distinctions be- of regulation, to provide both foDev Symposium held in

tween telecommunications, a foundation of support and Washington, D.C., 5-6 De-computing, broadcasting, a catalyst for the development cember 2001, and the websitepublishing, and information of networked economies in (www.regulateonline.org) wasservices are breaking down. both developing and devel- introduced to the public onRapid growth of the Internet oped countries. The WDR aims January 30, 2002.and broadband facilities is to further become a driving The founding partners arequickly changing network and force of indispensable interna- infoDev and the LIRNE.NETmarket structures. What we tional dialogue to generate universities. Cooperating part-see today is a convergence of and disseminate new knowl- ner is, among others, the In-technologies, content, and edge on frontier issues in reg- ternational Telecommunica-markets into a global net- ulation and governance. Itwill tion Union/Telecommunica-worked economy. These de- also provide the global com- tion Development Bureauvelopments pose new chal- munity of professionals in- (ITU/BDT).lenges and require new an- volved in this expanding field Board selection is now inswers to facilitate the contin- a forum to explore ideas, share progress. The board is expect-ued, dynamic growth of these experiences, find best practic- ed to guide the initiative'sindustries and their contribu- es, and obtain guidance on broad agenda. Members of thetion to economic development dealing with complex issues. board will come from the larg-- including global poverty al- The project is being coordi- er development community,leviation, the World BankGroup's primary mission.

-10 Against this background,I infoDev is supporting the new f o regulateonline.org

World Dialogue on Regula- g ltion. The initiative is aimed at WcVoilc LCiaIoue on ieg9 abon for Ns-,or2 cDr rsfacilitating the transformation

i fiHDev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

corporations, foundations, ac- ment banks; industries, will be invited toademia and many others. It * Telecommunications, mass sponsor and underwrite theis also expected that there will and new media user associa- costs of the WDR's multi-di-be representatives from the tions; mensional agenda.regulatory community, with a * International development These companies are im-leading regulator both from a and finance institutions; portant players in the real-developed and a developing * Consumer advocates; and world regulatory debate of thecountry. Additional board .U niversities and specialized networked economy, and staffmembers will be selected by training institutions. and managers of such compa-the initial core Board members Private companies, repre- nies are expected to be invitedto ensure appropriate diversi- senting the telecommunica- to partcipate in this new flag-fied representation. tions, mass, and new media ship initiative

The WDR will take up thechallenge of next generationregulation, and it will conductits activities both on-line andthrough expert meetings andconferences. The initiative The Next Step in Telecom Reform:also expects to provide a stim- ICT Convergence Regulation or Multi-Sectorulus for countries and regions Utility Regulation?to address the important is-sues sooner rather then later.

The first WDR Dialogue Technology and market developments are blurring in-Theme is "The Next Step in dustry boundaries and the effectiveness of industry spe-Telecom Reform: ICT Conver- cific telecom regulation. It-has become evident that thegence Regulation or Multi-Sec- objectives, scope, powers and priorities of regulation fortor Utility Regulation?" Re- 21 st century network economies must be reassessed insearch and dialogue on these light of ICT and media convergence on the one hand,two models, and the regulato- and the network development possibilities of multi-sec-ry options they generate, will tor utilities on the other.help prepare the groundworkfor next generation regulation. e What are the options to be considered by national

Participants in the new governments and others in the future policy choices andWorld Dialogue on Regulation in the design of regulatory structures?of Network Economies are ex-pected to be mainly officials,managers, professionals, aca- e Would the establishment of coherent multi-sec-demics, and students associat- tor utility regulation provide both more efficient and ef-ed with: fective regulation across the different utilities, and stim-* Regulatory institutions and ulate investment in information infrastructure networkgovernment departments; development?* Telecommunications, cable,media, internet, and related If you are willing to join the discussion, or simply know 1companies; more about this topic, please visit:* Management consulting uzww7.regulateonline.org/dialoguefirms, law firms, and invest-

infoDev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

eXch-?-nige Meetc S eymour PaiwSeymour Papert is considered the world's foremost expert on how tech- But in order to do the equiva-

nology can provide new ways to learn. He attended the opening session Of lent of "writing" with digitalthe infoDev Symposium in December 2001. Sitting between World Bank technology children have toPresident, Jim Wolfensohn, andformer President of Costa Rica, Jose Maria learn the ideas underlying theFigueres, Seymour Papert remarked this was an unprecedented opportu- use of computers, for examplenity to raise strong points about ICT and education. No doubt, he lived up programming. This is a seri-to his promise. As he remarked at the beginning of his speech, "The things ous learning but one shouldwe are hearing about are wonderful, and some of the people who are work- note that this learning bringsing on them are wonderful, including some of my personal heroes who are other important benefits. Thesitting in this room today, who do really wonderful things on the scale of knowledge underlying deepwhat an individual can do. But on the scale of what the world can do, we mastery of digital technologyare not even beginning to scratch the surface of the problem." - computational thinking,

Professor Papert kindly accepted to be interviewed by the eXchange programming, systems' think-after his presentation. The following is a slightly edited transcription of ing and so on - is at the corethe interview. of what's most specific to the

science of this new century.Yet few of those who design

This morning, during the in- al medium, that is to say a ma- science curricula see this asfoDev Symposium, you talked terial to build with. From this an important part of whatabout the need to build a 'con- angle we see the technology children need to know.structional' rather than 'infor- as opening new opportunities One reason for the restrict-mational' approach to comput- for learning by doing rather ed view of digital technologyingfor learning. Would this be a than by being fed information. is restricted access to the com-way to expand the frontiers of This is essentially more condu- puter. If you have too littlecreativity in the learning pro- cive to creativity. The empha- access you cannot master itcesses? WAhat is your vision, and sis on informational uses ac- sufficiently deeply to be ablehow far can it go? tually reinforces what is to construct things with it. So,

Yes, the constructional em- weakest in traditional educa- in a situation where the stu-phasis does indeed expand the tion: passive learning by being dent has an hour or two in thefrontiers of creativity in learn- told rather than active learn- week for access to computer,ing. The name "IT" emphasiz- ing by doing. it may well be that the bestes a view of the technology as The constructional expan- way to use it is to get informa-a means of obtaining "infor- sion of the role of creativity tion in the web. But this is verymation" that has already been in learning is essentially with- limiting compared to what"created." Of course the out limit. It puts the power of computers could offer. So thesearch for information can be the technology in the hands of conclusion is that offering acreative to some degree. But children. Using the technolo- little access isn't really offer-

f I far wider doors to creativity gy as a purely informational ing access at all to what is most2 are opened by another side of medium is like living in a soci- powerful.

what digital technology is ety where people can read butgood for: in addition to being cannot write; they can take What evidence do you have froma powerful informational me- other peoples' products but the experiments you have con-

_ dium it is also a construction- they cannot make their own. ducted, regarding this 'different'

izfrl)ev eXchangeJa3nUw-v1-March 2002

use of the computer? of educational failure. These had failed to learn anything inVery solid evidence is pre-. are all kids with serious trou- a normal school pattern, they

sented in the Logo literature, ble, most of them had done could become deeply involvedfor example in Idit Harel's badly at school and had a bad with building projects. Webook: Children Designers. family background, so they have seen at least four kids

At the moment the exam- missed all the cultural advan- who shifted in a few monthsple that is strongest in my tages that other kids might from being classified as 'spe-mind is the work in which I have. We wanted to work with cial ed', which means theyhave been engaged in Maine. these kids and see how they were not able lo learn what theThree years ago I started hav- could get engaged with learn- school tries to teach them, toing conversations about edu- ing. They could indeed. A performing on a level of 'gift-cation with Gov Angus King. year later it was so obvious ed and talented' students. OneWe talked about the possibili- that these kids could become could see that they were ex-ty of giving a computer to ev- deeply engaged in learning ceptionally good learners.ery child. King agreed that that the whole institution has It's hard to put together sta-this is what is needed, but now switched to project-based tistics, because every case isthought at first that it would learning, and this played a big different, but it's very clearbe a very difficult proposition role in getting the legislation that an individual can learnpolitically. He was right, it to accept the idea of the com- under these conditions enor-took a long time to get the idea puter for everyone. Simply mously more effectively andaccepted, but as everyone who looking at the level of engage- faster than in the normalfollows the news about educa- ment was sufficient data for school situation. What makestional technology now knows, people to see that using the the difference is being able toMaine has passed a law giv- technology in a construction- find a project that's personal-ing all middle school children ist way makes a difference. A ly interesting. We do see re-personal laptop computers. deeper kind of data takes the sults, we see kids who comeWhile working towards this form of case studies of individ- out and are doing better. Theygoal, and to influence the pro- ual children who came in go back to school withoutcess, we created some models practically illiterate, practical- dropping out. But for me whatin Maine so that people could ly zero in all school knowl- counts as much as data on re-see what children could do edge. Although these children sults is the immediate impres-with real access to the technol- sion. When one looks into theogy. The most unusual exper- traditional classes in the insti-iment was located in a very j tution one sees bored studentsinteresting site, the Maine with a low energy level. In ourYouth Center in Portland, the model environment one couldstate's facility for teenagers | t j see students who were visiblyconvicted of serious offenses. energized and happy at their

In this place we developed . work. They were excited, try-for ten students a model learn- J ing to do things, and showinging environment in which ev- I - to others what they could do.ery kid has a computer as well - So, even just from the hu-as lots of other technology in- mane point of view, this is a ,cluding computer-base LEGO better way of life for children.and digital cameras. We wereworkdingwithl camgroup of ks Seymour Papert and World Bank Presi-working with a group of kids ent James Volfensohn during the in This reminds me of the experi-in the most extreme situation foDev Symposium, in December2001. ments that are being done in In-

,ln/iL)]ev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

dia regarding the direct access means than putting them If they have good attitudesfor illiterate and marginalized through many years of tradi- about knowledge and learn-children to computers. These tional "teacher training." ing, in general, they learn tostreet children learn by them- This observation might well be read very easily.selves. In your type of approach, the' most important factor for Paulo Freire is probably thewhat is the role of the teacher? making a true estimate of the person who has thought mostIs any intermediation needed in world potential for human deeply about this factor in thethe process of learning? learning. It drives me crazy context of literacy in develop-

There are two sides to the to hear people say 'you can't ing countries. In his earlydifference made to the role of do this or that in our country work with revolutionary peas-the teacher by constructionist because teachers are not pre- ants he was astonished bylearning. On one side, the pared'. If you measure quali- how fast these people couldteacher has potentially a much fication by how much time learn to read compared to thebigger role. The teacher can they spent seated in their slow progress in literacyinspire the kids by being will- chairs listening to courses on courses. The explanation wasing to learn with them and how to teach, maybe they are that reading had become ur-shows genuine excitement under-qualified. But if you gently meaningful for them.about what they do. But on measure qualification by their They learned faster because itanother side, the teacher is, in enthusiasm for learning and was part of their struggle fora certain sense, less essential. their ability to learn, they're their own identity.Students are less dependant super qualified and are much I think this is the mainon whether the teacher knows more qualified than people point. We see some childrenwhat's required or what they who have been to all these ed- who read very easily withoutare trying to learn. The kid can ucation schools courses and any instruction. For some chil-access ideas independently or think they know everything dren it's very hard to get themconstruct them by trying, by children need to learn and ev- to read. What's the difference?doing experiments. So while it erything about how to teach It's not because one has got ais true the kid is able to do it. brain better matched to read-more without the teacher, the - - --- - -- - ing - I am not talking hereteacher can also add enor- about the small number ofmously. . - children who do have some

Perhaps the most impor- j? sort of neurological condition.tant difference is in the kind In most cases, a kid who lovesof human quality and quali- - / the idea of reading will find afication required of the teach- - way to do it perhaps by ask-er. We have seen in Costa Rica ing parents or other kids toand other places that teachers -- i help, or simply strugglingwho themselves have a 'poor' j _ along. It's quite easy to learneducational background are reading when you are a goodable to learn to use technolo- To what extent do you think in- learner, and when you wantgy in advanced ways very formation technology can help to do it. So, we must not think

-- quickly if you put them in the bridge the literacy gap in devel- in terms of how to teach a par-1 right kind of learning condi- oping countries? ticular thing, but we musttions. This means that it I think the fundamental re- think in terms of your relation-would be possible to increase quirement is for kids to be- ships to learning and knowl-the teaching power of the come enthusiastic about learn- edge, your purpose in life andteaching force by quicker ing and to find meaning in it. why you're trying to learn.

'ifoDev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

Going back to my experi- that very often kids do badly ing in a case like this is his at-ence in the juvenile prison in at school and get into deep titude to himself, to his life, toMaine, something that really trouble not because their the world, and to knowledge.struck me was that many of learning ability is deficient but This was a long answer tothese kids have never seen because it is so good. They end your simple question aboutanybody pursue a goal over up failing not because they whether technology can be aany period of time with any are 'dumb' , but because they bridge to literacy. Buildinghope of success. Many of them are so bright. Think of a kid machines is not the same as lit-come from broken down fam- who is very active, mentally eracy. But in my hypotheticalilies, often with stories of al- alive and full of imagination. case (which is not far fromcohol addiction, violence and His mind wants to fly. He goes real ones I have seen) you seeso on. Their view of life is that to a school where he is forced how it provides a context in'things happen' rather than to learn in a specific way. He which literacy becomes mean-being achieved. They have not feels like a bird in a cage. He ingful. The kid may haveexperienced or seen adults set- kicks and screams and in the needed to get information inting and working towards a end rejects school. At first he order to build the machines.goal, such as becoming quali- rejects it psychologically by He may have needed to keepfied for a new job or saving refusing to learn what it tries notes on progress.the money to buy a car. They to teach. He is classified as a So, in short, the answer ishave just never seen this. Their failure, perhaps as having a "yes ... but." It can provide aconcept of life is 'day to day learning disability. He drops bridge but the effective routethings happen out of control'. out of school, runs away from to literacy (or any other spe-For such children working on home, lives on the streets for cific area of learning) may nota project that cover a period a while and ends up in the ju- always be the direct route. Theof several weeks, or several venile prison. Isn't this plau- most important learning maymonths, is a new and empow- sible to you? I am sure that this be best described as learningering experience. They have is the sequence of events be- to learn ... or even better asnever done or even seen any- hind many of the kids I en- learning to love learning.body doing anything like that countered. There is no doubt that technol-before. It gives them a whole What is most rewarding is ogy can provide a remarkablenew sense of self and relation- when a kid like this breaks out context for this.ship to the world. This is more of the vicious circle. We seeimportant than the specific many cases where the kid So what Piaget demonstrated bycontent of what they learn. starts off sullen, not wanting looking at his kids playing is stillWhen you can set goals for to do anything. Then he sees valid, but people seem to forgetyourself, you are ready to go others doing interesting things about that, especially in educa-out and learn whatever you and tentatively, perhaps tion.need to know. This in sharp grudgingly, decides to try In my discussion I recalledcontrast with the curriculum- something himself. With ac- something I learned fromdriven, test-oriented model of cess to the right technology he Piaget that is not in his theo-teaching and learning that might become a builder mak- ries or even mentioned as farmakes me think of Henry ing his own machines. He be- as I know in his many books.Ford's production line. It is an comes more and more enthu- When I was in Geneva work-inhumane way of dealing with siastic and eventually, after ing in his institute we spent apeople, it's inefficient, and it two or three months, he is lot of time at the beginning ofproduces many casualties. building extremely ingenuous each year deciding what as-

What is most infuriating is constructions. What is chang- pects of children's behavior to

In/flDev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

study that year. The one car- happens in these first couple ly childhood to creative adult-dinal principle was 'avoid of years. But as the child be- hood. Consider seeing aanything that is in the school comes more sophisticated the three-year old kid take a vid-curriculum'. support for new self-directed eotape - say about animals -

The point is made by look- learning falls short of the and play it. People say it'sing at an example. I choose the child's needs. The child now amazing that the kid can dofamous Genevan study of has to resort to learning by that with the technology, us-kids' versions of "atomic the- asking adults and often falls ing the VCR. Probably mostory." Put sugar in the water into parroting answers. This kids know how to use it betterand the sugar disappears. perspective leads to a way of than their parents, but I don'tWhere has it gone? A large thinking about the challenge think it's that which is re-fraction of children spontane- facing people who want to markable, because kids doously come up with the idea enhance learning. The goal is much more complicatedthat the sugar breaks up into to find ways to continue the things every day. What is re-tiny pieces that are present in mode of learning which is markable is a qualitative dif-the water but too small to see. spontaneously used by the ference between the extent toThey hardly ever call the piec- young baby: learning by self- which modern kids can con-es atoms even when they have directed exploration of the trol their time compared withlearned this adult word at world. I have formulated this what I could do when I wasschool or from parents. They as a stage theory very differ- at that age. A modern kid canare making their own theories ent from Piaget's. The char- choose to spend the next thir-about what happens to the acteristics of stage one learn- ty minutes immersed insugar in the water. They don't ing are experiencial, self-di- snakes or whatever the videomake any connections with rected, non-verbal. Then, is about. There was no waythe schoolish knowledge. gradually the kid begins to ask when I was three I could sit

Of course their theory is questions that go beyond and learn about such thingssimplistic compared with the what can be answered by di- that are beyond my immedi-official scientific explanation. rect exploration. Now the kid ate experience without beingBut the deep point behind begins to rely on what adults dependant on other people.Piaget's injunction is this. If say, and that is when the What we see here is a wholeyou ask the kids about atoms knowledge becomes more vul- different relationship withyou get rote answers. They nerable. When he goes to knowledge and how you get'know' what to say. But ask- school this situation goes to it.ing them about sugar and the extreme, everything is So back to Piaget's empha-water can open a more what somebody says. The sis on the young child's stylethoughtful and richer conver- child has entered a stage to of learning - learning with-sation. Obviously because the learning whose characteristics out being taught. Tradition-children thought it through are a larger degree of other-di- ally this becomes more andand developed it themselves. rectedness (the curriculum!), more limited and difficult as

Let's think how much kids more verbal (knowledge is the child grows towards andlearn , every kid, no matter knowing how to give the right then enters the school period.where. In the first few years I answers to questions) and It is so difficult that many chil-

1 do not think there is much dif- more abstract. dren drop out of learning allference from one country to The deep role of the new together. Those who might notanother, and from rural to ur- technologies in the lives of be learning how to read well

I ban. In all these situations an children is to make direct ex- and use research methods and, enormous amount of learning ploration continuous from ear- encyclopedias and then be-

- - - - - - -- -- -- ---- - -- - -- ---- - --e-- ------

infoDev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

come scientist or artist, or cre- adoxically, the result may well through every book in the lo-ative business people, they are be more reading, because we cal library including some verythe ones who managed to can be more relaxed about sophisticated ones. He under-come back to a learning stage when children learn to do it - stands them and loves to dis-very much like the original but the point I want to make cuss them, but he can't or hestage. However, they had to here is that the status of read- won't, for the moment, readgo through this narrow pas- ing is changing. Reading will them. Probably next year, orsage in order to get there. become a useful tool, just one the year after, he will decideThat's why the biggest offer of among many skills for getting that he needs to read. It's ter-technology is not having to go at information and for com- rible to see the traumatic ef-through that dangerous pas- municating, but it will not be fects that can be generated bysage. One can continue the such a big deal to learn to read certain approaches in schools,same mode of learning all right at any particular age. that may make some kids feelthrough life. There would be far fewer they are stupid because some

problems with children learn- other kid can read better thanThis morning you spoke about ing to read, since a major in- they do. That must be happen-the need to modernize national hibitor is the anxiety associ- ing to a million kids every day,educational systems, since it's ated with it. it is heartbreaking.useless to use ICTfor learning if I know a child who had de- The people in power oughtthe standards and contents are veloped by age five a highly to be putting pressure on gov-still the ones which were set in sophisticated and active artis- ernments, urging them to havethe 19"' Century, in a knowledge tic involvement with dancing, a vision on what educationsociety built on pencil and paper. painting and acting. Unfor- might be like in 10-15 years,What did you mean exactly? tunately, he was at a school leveraging the huge learning

Children are learning in an where they put huge pressure potential offered by a 'con-obsolete learning scheme. Let's on him to learn to read. He structive' use of ICTs.take 'literacy' - reading and was in a strange position. Hewriting as an example. I don't knew that he knew far morethink writing will disappear than the other kids (and per-any time soon, but I think that haps the teachers too) abouta lot of harm comes to children what (correctly) thought was ffrom the fact that the only ac- important. Yet they insisted oncess to knowledge beyond im- valuing this other thing atmediate experience is via the which he was less competent -written word. The narrowness as superior to what he knew. of the traditional passage to He resented this and endedknowledge leads us to attach up rejecting anything school - - jfar too much importance to wanted, and in particular de-the kid having to learn to read veloping a very negative atti-very early. Before we had in- tude towards reading. He be-formation technology, a child gan to believe he was 'dumb.'who could not read was cut Fortunately his mother tookoff from independent access to him out of that school. For the 1. v - E 7knowledge. But with more next year (which is just nowand more alternative accesses coming to an end) he spent T' wor e visit:to knowledge, reading stops most of his time listening tohaving that unique role. Par- books on tape. He went www.papert.org/

lnfiboDev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

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va theDc2veIo pme;--! ; rketplace 2 02

The Development Marketplace is a World Bank initiative aimed at ed the funding as recognition ofcreating a nmarketplace of ideas, talent and resources that address develop- the fact that smaller manufactur-ment challenges. It is about nurturing the visions of social entrepreneurs ers could, through the web, gainaround the world whose work has the potential to reach beyond local access to markets abroad. As Mr.communities and achieve far greater scale, as well as about building part- Pelser remarked, "Buy Southnerships among the public, private, and civil society sectors that foster Africa Online was created to en-dialogue, understanding, and truly sustainable solutions. able all producers, whether they

This year the World Bank awarded $4 niillion in start-up funds to 34 are big or small, to sell to interna-winners of the competition. The proposals submittedfrom across the globe tional markets as easily as theyaddressed a multiplicity of issues, from sustainable development to infor- sell locally for cash. So what wemation technology. have done is looked at all the

infoDev also had the opportunity tofund three proposals submitted to problems that exporters experi-the Development Marketplace. Projects awarded by infoDev intended to enced and systematically elimi-use information and communication technologies in addressing develop- nated them one by one. Wement challenges. solved the packaging issues, the

credit card payment issues. WeOn January 9-10, 2002 of the tions about each other. An initia- solved documentation issues. All

World Bank's atrium was one of tive just about ideas, trying to see of them were solved in a compre-a true market, with stalls display- how we can help people." hensive system, which cost effec-ing real samples of development Three proposals earned fund- tively gets the product to theideas and placards bristling with ing from infoDev as Development market. In this way, the consum-pictures and proposals of more Marketplace winners. The three er pays probably a third less forideas from all over the world. winners include one project in the product, but the producer

In this tiird year of competi- Africa, one in Asia, and one in gets 300% to 400% more for theirtion, the initiative returned with Latin America. product, so everyone wins."204 exhibits from all around the The project will provide a to-globe. There were social entrepre- Buy South Africa Online tal export access system that usesneurs and pioneers of ideas who The "Buy South Africa On- the latest technologies to enableinteracted with visitors from line" winning proposal address- even the smallest emerging busi-NGOs, private sector, govern- es the problem of growing mar- nesses to sell directly to custom-ment, multilaterals and develop- ket access for small and emerg- ers worldwide. Economies ofment agencies. ing businesses. The company, scale and custom-packaging al-

World Bank President James which was set up by a consor- low businesses to achieve lowl 8 Wolfensohn described the Devel- tium of businesses and NGOs, shipping charges. All the sub-

opment Marketplace as "A real was awarded $155,913 towards scribers share a common secureopportunity to come together, training and marketing itself. credit card processing facility.with no bureaucracy, with no The company's chief executive Subscribers have their own web-preconditions and no preconcep- officer, Jaco Pelser, said he regard- site and set their own prices. This

infiL)Dev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

, ... .. ... . .. . .. . .. ~ ~~ ~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~~. . .... ... ..

project takes e-commerce to a their cooperatives. As an elec- increase employment opportuni-new level by opening up new tronic bulletin board, the website ties of artisans in the barrios ofways for international trade to enables the farmers to benefit Venezuela and to raise the stan-take place and providing a full, from greater negotiating leverage dard of work by bringing themdecentralized, fulfillment logistics resulting from awareness of pre- from the informal into the formalservice. vailing market prices for their economy, byregistering them and

products. As an electronic mar- providing basic training and cer-Helping Farmers in the Phil- ketplace, the website aims to min- tification.ippines imize intermediation, or middle- The database, accessible to

The winning proposal from men's fees, thereby enabling the architecture, construction, engi-Asia is aimed at enabling farm- farmers to reap the gains of low- neering firms and individuals,ers to harness the benefits of in- er costs and broader market will display information aboutformation and communications reach. As B2Bpricenow.com s each worker (name and sur-technologies to promote econom- Managing Director, Mr. Edgar- name, contact number and ad-ic development and social well- do Herbosa, remarked," This pro- dress, educational background,being. Farmers in the Philippines gram has a very direct impact on years of working experience inhave long suffered from a lack of alleviating poverty because par- the field, two latest employersmarket price information, and ticipating cooperatives, which with contact numbers and a pho-have been unable to get the best currently number 700, previous- tograph) so that employers canreturn for their products. ly did not have a way to market easily contactsuitable candidates'B2Bpricenow.com', a free elec- their products, and they had a classified by specialization.tronic bulletin board and market- limited marketing budget. What- Project sustainability will be at-place, is designed to bring rele- ever they produce, it can now be tained through a yearly feevant market information direct- marketed and priced adequate- charged to user companies andly to farmers, primarily through ly." The project is expected to individuals. The project is inno-

enhance efficiency in the agricul- vative because there are present-tural market and reduce poverty ly no job centers in Venezuelan

&~~:mi;:- I UtilE among farmers. cities and particularly no efforts- 11.- - - 1 01 directed towards the "barrios" or

__ uhF f Maestros al Trabajo! towards construction industryThe winning project from Lat- workers.r -- n in America, "iMaestros al Traba-

jo!", aims to create an internet- infoDev's active participationbased job announcements page in judging, choosing, and fund-and a database for workers, in- ing the Development Market-cluding blacksmiths, brick-layers, place proposals allowed it to lend

'5i 4 -- carpenters, construction supervi- its own expertise as a multi-do-

4 F- sors, electricians, gardeners, glaz- nor grant organization with ex-ers, painters, and plumbers, who tensive knowledge and expertise

~UII~~ ilglreside in the poor areas (barrios) in funding proposals in the fieldwithin and around Caracas, of information and communica-Venezuela. The purpose is to fa- tion technologies for develop-

i i _ _ cilitate workers with access to ment. 19Buy South Africa Online is one of the work with households or compa- Information about the Devel-

uinning ICT for development projects nies requiring their services in opment Marketplace Initiative isselected by the Development Market- economically active areas of the available atplace 2002 city. The ultimate purpose is to www.developmentmarketplace.orgI

lnfoL)ev eXchangeJanuary-March 2002

.a global grant program man- Donors are governments, or advises the Donors' Committeeaged by the World Bank on be- other public and private organiza- and the management of the pro-half of public and private Donors tions from developing and devel- gram. The World Bank contributeswho support it. oped countries. Current donors to the program financially, and

infoDev pools intellectual, are: provides logistical support and fa-technical and financial re- Government of Belgium cilities at the World Bank's Head-sources from public and private Government of Brazil quarters in Washington, DC.partners. It aims at reducing Governmentof Canada Themostrecentinformationonpoverty through the use of ICT Cisco Sistems, USA infoDev can be found atin areas such as market devel- Colciencias, Colombia www.infodev.org, together withopment, education, health, gov- Governmentof Denmark links to infoDev projects. in-ernment, commerce and envi- Government of El Salvador foDev's site also gives access toronmental protection. infoDev Commission of the European working papers and reports,promotes efficient markets in Union and other documents infoDevcommunications and informa- Government of Finland produces or collects, andtion infrastructure. It innovates GovernmentofFrance makes available as referencethrough small-scale projects GovernmentofGermany material to the infoDev commu-with a potential for replicabili- IBM Corporation, USA nity.ty; disseminates best practices, Government oflreland infoDev participates in thelessons learned from its own Government of Italy Global Knowledge Partnership.activities and from other expe- Government ofJapanriences relevant to the develop- Government of Luxembourgment community; and supports Motorola Inc., USA .Xchangespecial initiatives such as the GovernmentoftheNetherlands it.' eXchangepromoting a regional connec- Government of Sweden is published as a quarterlytivity, or helping address the Government of Switzerland electronic and printed newslet--millennium computing bug, or Telecom Italia S.p.A., Italy ter by infoDev, the InformationY2K problem. Government of the United King- for Development Program,

infoDev provides a frame- dom hosted by the Global Informa-tion and Communication Tech -work for initiating a range of Government of the United States noiogies Department of thenew development ideas to be of America World Bank Group.field-tested. Project proposals The World Bank. Tlhe Editorial Board of infoDevcan be submitted by govern- AilDonorsaremembersof the eXchange is chaired by thement agencies, private compa- Donors' Committee, which gov- i Program Manager of infoDev,nies, academic institutions or ems the program and decides on mbrn of L infaDinus Tecmembers of infoDev's Tech ni-non-governmental organiza- its strategy and overall orienta- cal Advisory Panel.tions. Since its creation at the tions. ICO Global Communica- For information on the Programend of 1995, infoDev has received tions, who has co-financed an in- and on the contents of this

2 j0 1126 proposals for projects in all foDev project, has an observersta- newsletter please contact theparts of the developing world, tus at the infoDev Donors' Com- Executive Editor, Ms. Elena209 of which have been funded so mittee. A group of six internation- S r atifo (202i457331 or visit infoDev's websitefar (excluding grants under the al independent experts, the in- (www.infodev.org).Y2K Initiative). foDev Technical Advisory Panel, _-