Poverty and lack of access - two situations caught in a vicious cycle that partly represent the phenomenon we have come to recognize as the "digital divide"- a divide that is a reflection of deeper social and economic inequalities, both between and within countries. A divide that will continue to grow unless marginalized and under-served communities are considered in the race to utilize ICT's as an enabler of development.

 

Bringing technology to the people goes beyond the provision of infrastructure and hardware. The challenge lies in complementing the provision with equity in information flows and access. APDIP faces this challenge by employing a dynamic mix of strategies - capacity building, technical assistance and advice, supporting community access, sharing best practices, advocating industry standards and low-cost technologies, and supporting local innovations and appropriate tools and technologies.