Limits of technology

The Jester analyses what ails tech companies like Google in their philanthropy efforts.

As a result of its developed-world attitude to solving developing-world problems, Google has taken to offering what the Jester calls “thin technology” in the vain hope that just putting good software in the cloud will transform the developing world. Thin technology is technology that isn’t thickly integrated into a working institution. It’s mobile search without trained healthcare workers who can interpret medical information for undereducated patients. It’s Google apps for schools without any attempt to support teachers, administrators, or students. It’s crisis response tools without crisis response teams. To the extent that thin technology is for a world that uses Google and Gmail, some of it might be useful. But, that’s not the vast majority of the developing world.

The Jester's favourite line that makes an appearance in one form or the other in most of his blogposts...

Technology (only) amplifies existing intent and capacity

...reveals his underlying philosophy regarding the use of technology in development. The ICT4D Jester is a must-read blog!

Technology solutions are regularly touted as the 'next big idea' in the development world - often introduced with more fanfare than real successes and results on the ground. Many either underestimate the institutional capacity required to implement them, or over-estimate the impact of their idea/product on the lives of those cut off from the grid. So while there is no reason to be anti-technology, there is every reason to push for rigorous evaluation of the next big technology for development idea.

The Public Eye Awards

Via, The Activist Writer reports on The Public Eye Awards that choose the two worst corporations in the world - one of them this year is

AngloGold Ashanti, a South African mining company for polluting rivers and water sources in Ghana.

AngloGold Ashanti's citation reads - 

The South African mining company AngloGold Ashanti contaminates land and people with its gold mining in Ghana. To extract 30 kg (66 lb) of gold, 6,000 tons of rock are mined every day, then ground up and mixed with cyanide in tanks. The highly-toxic mining waste is kept in large storage ponds that contaminate rivers and wells, as well as all those who (must) drink from them. Where there was once cultivated land, now the ground is contaminated and can no longer be farmed. In addition, in the company’s own guard houses, several suspects were tortured, and dogs were set on people; there have been fatalities as a result. Although the ecological and social problems in the mines – some mines are up to 100 years old – have been documented by authorities, NGOs and the company itself – and even AngloGold Ashanti committed itself in 2004 to improve the situation – things have in fact worsened since then. No wonder AngloGold Ashanti received the worst possible rating for social and environmental protection from the Ghanaian Environmental Protection Agency in a recent industry comparison. 

More here

Waiting for 2010 Ghana census results

News reports indicate the results of the 2010 national census may be out soon. The results are being eagerly awaited by many, I am sure. I am also hoping that these results are reliable and that the government is confident enough to put their weight behind it.

A couple of years back, Ghana divided many of its districts further, going from 138 districts to 170. The problem however was that while district names were defined, it was often not clear what communities were included in each district. As part of a national panel survey by Yale and ISSER, I had the opportunity to travel to a good number of districts, often sympathising with my industrious survey team encountering the challenge of first figuring out if we had actually come to the right district; and then, having to identify communities that we wanted to reach in those district. Initially, I thought the fault lay with us, that we did not have the latest lists and wondered how it was possible that district boundaries could not be clearly demarcated, at least on paper. Turns out, there was general confusion about this, even among the district and regional governments. The news report about the 2010 census results also mentions that -

Some districts also had their boundaries poorly defined and therefore GSS would not be able to release the district level results and only the regional results would be released.

Needless to say, data collection for the Yale-ISSER panel survey was tricky enough under normal circumstances. Attempting to collect community-level or district-level data amidst this general confusion of boundaries was even trickier. Trying to collect any electoral or fiscal data from these districts was a complete nightmare (from both the newly formed districts, as well as the districts that had been divided to eke out the new ones), since they often did not have their books in order and in some cases, had not yet appointed officials to take over key positions. Therefore, the 2010 census is key, even if the district-level data is released after a lag. In the subsequent rounds of the panel survey and in other future studies, we will have a reliable list of districts to sample from...until they increase the number again, that is...

Feb 3rd update: The Ghana Statistical Service could not keep to its plan of announcing results on Jan 31st. There has been lots of noise about this in the last four days...there is a fresh announcement that the census results will be released today

How not to get killed as an RTI activist

One of my professors at IRMA used to say to us: 

"if you are doing something that really matters, you will know, because someone (or many) will oppose you strongly..." 

When I was more naive idealistic, I used to imagine myself working in the hinterlands somewhere, in the centre of serious conflict due to the nature of my work. Unfortunately, these days I am in Ghana, rather safe, working mostly from my air-conditioned office...


In recent years, serious rights-activists in India seem to have found a way to do stuff that really matters - look at reports of murders and attacks on RTI activists...they must be doing something right; something that hits the powerful and the corrupt where it really hurts. While we wait for new laws to protect those trying to actually use old laws, here is some practical advice for these activists, aptly titled "How to file RTI plea (without getting killed)". Excerpts below...

Disseminate the information: As soon as you receive sensitive information through the RTI Act, spread it among others. More people having the information reduces the threat risk to an individual. 

Multiple applications on one issue: It is always better if many people file RTI queries asking for the same set of information. If the applicants are geographically spread across the country, it is even better. 

Target the system, not individuals: If you are able to expose irregularities in the system, the officials involved will be held responsible by default. Before filing the application, try to search for a group of activists/applicants working on the cause which you want to take up. If possible, file the application on behalf of that group. 

Do not use the act as a blackmailing tool. The objective is of the act is to bring transparency in the government functioning and not to blackmail someone. 

Be polite while interacting with the public information officers. They are just part of the big system.  

h/t: Accountability Initiative, once again...

"Lets be democratic about this one..."

Lucknow University teachers have had enough!  

The Lucknow University Teachers' Association (LUTA) has decided to convene a meeting of its teaching staff to elect its five most corrupt members.

Many teachers of the university have been accused of corruption in recent months. "Some indulged in dishonest practices during admission. Those in the finance department allegedly embezzled funds. As a result, the entire teaching community on the campus has been branded corrupt.

"We decided to do something to prevent this kind of generalisation," R. V. Singh, general secretary of LUTA, said.

"At the meeting, each teacher will write on a piece of paper the name of the teacher he considers the most corrupt. He will also mention the reason for his choice. We will announce their names," he added.

Singh said they were trying to convince all 450 teachers to participate. "If at least 300 members join in the secret voting, we can draw up a list," he said.

h/t: Accountability Initiative 

The inscrutable Kalmadi

Suresh Kalmadi was recently fired from the Organising Committee of CWG Delhi. Yes, the CWG that was completed over three months back! The press has been consistent - Kalmadi was probably India's villain-in-chief for 2010. 


Here is Kalmadi's response after being fired - 

I am shocked to receive Order dated 24th January 2011, illegally and arbitrarily removing me from the position of Chairman of the Executive Board and the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth Games

Without prejudice to my rights and contention and in furtherance of my letter wherein it has been stated that the order is illegal and without any jurisdiction, I am handing the charge under protest

I have a long and distinguished career in public service and sports administration. I served the Indian Air force for 10 years, including during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars as an Air Force Pilot. I have been a Member of Parliament since 1982, and am currently serving as a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha representing my constituency, Pune. I also served as a Minister of State for Railways.

I have also organised various National Games and been dedicated to the development of sports in India. Having spent several decades in public life, I would not be unjustified in expecting at least the courtesy of being heard and a decision being taken in accordance with the principles of natural justice. I would like to say that if I was asked by the Sports Ministry, I would have consulted my colleagues and resigned voluntarily

I am proud that we not only conducted and hosted a successful event, but India also delivered a stellar performance and won a record number of medals in the Commonwealth Games

We worked hard to bring the CWG to India for the first time ever. The OC, under my chairmanship has worked tirelessly for over 5 years to deliver successful Games that India can be proud of. Despite the adverse publicity we ensured the participation of all 71 countries

I am anguished that instead of being commended for my efforts at putting up such a spectacular show, the OC is being unfairly singled out and that I have been served with a decision of this nature

What A Martyr! For all you Kalmadi fanboys, here is his personal website, singing eulogies to the great man, including this gem

As IOA President, got the country the 1st ever gold medal in individual event at the Beijing Olympic 2008.

Order amidst chaos

Schumpeter has fallen in love with the Tata group...

But in the emerging world—and particularly the emerging India where Tata Steel and the Taj Palace were created a century ago—the first job of a company is to create order amid chaos. In their different ways, the steelworks and the luxury hotel are fortresses against the surrounding madness.

...contrasting the order of its steel mills and hotels to the chaos that is on the streets of India. In recent blog entries, the author laments the chaos in Kolkata and admits to being taken in by the Jamshedpur township. And yet, Schumpeter is impressed with Indian managers (as opposed to boring western executives), ostensibly running these steel mills and luxury hotels, because 

They speak proper English (although "synergy" and "core competences" make the occasional appearance). They litter their conversations with references to mythology, Indian political heroes, stories from the Raj, the Cambridge wrangler system and much else beside. Far from singing from the corporate hymn-sheet, they seem to be genuinely grappling with my questions, particularly those about the proper boundaries of the firm. 

Products of the omnipresent chaos in India? I would think so...

Making Coetzee smile

Nobel prize winner JM Coetzee made an appearance at the Jaipur Literary Fest. Known to be a reclusive personality, here are excerpts from a DNA article

A festival representative went up on stage and informed the audience, “Mr Coetzee did not even turn up to receive the two Booker prizes awarded to him. We are so glad he is here.” But Coetzee did not smile or laugh. His face remained expressionless, as he kept fidgeting in his seat.

Patrick French was to be Coetzee’s panelist. And nobody can say French didn’t try. “You know, I read the newspaper today,” he said. “And it said Junot Diaz is Spanish.” The audience laughed. But Coetzee was staring at the floor of the stage.

French tried again, this time including Coetzee in the joke. “The news report also stated I’m going to be standing on the stage with Mr Coetzee and reading his work for 45 minutes. Even I didn’t know this was going to happen.” Coetzee continued looking down.

Coetzee started with 

“Like most people, I have opinions. I don’t find my opinions particularly interesting..."

After Coetzee took the stage and finished his 45-min story,  

...French tried another joke. “Mr Coetzee you have done something remarkable. You have held an Indian audience silent for 45 minutes. You have a remarkable capacity to make people smile and laugh even while keeping a straight face yourself.” Coetzee smiled...

Technology and ethics

What are our obligations to the dumb, distracted and unlucky roaming in the street? Are those obligations worth two grand? What about unintended consequences? Doesn't a system like this invite driver inattention, what behaviorists call learned helplessness, and if in my less attentive state I have another kind of accident, wasn't my purchase negligent?

wonders a WSJ blog in a discussion about the ethics of advanced pedestrian safety devices in cars while reviewing the new Volvo with pedestrian detection and auto-braking system.

The ethical question in this particular example is mostly in the private sphere. From here, it is not too much of a stretch to imagine questions that straddle the public-private spheres. Staying with transportation, cheap cars detract from the focus on cheaper and efficient public transport; and expensive, but fuel-inefficient cars are a public evil. No easy choices here...

Taxation is difficult; but it matters for development

In arguing back against the taxation-development link, terrence writes that the advocates of 'taxation as a means of improving local accountability' don't take into account the accountability systems that work in developing countries; and also that they ignore implementation problems on the ground in setting up efficient and equitable systems of taxation.

Developing systems of taxation in poor countries is not a substitute for engaging with civil society. However, I believe that more concrete the agenda for civil society organisations, the better their chances of succeeding are in the long-term. Taxation is one such compelling agenda. When governments and citizens are tied into a taxation-public service delivery cycle, and when information on taxes collected and spent are available widely, civil society automatically has a platform to represent that active subset of the population. So yes of course, more transparency is key - be it in any sphere.

However, aid transparency will not have the same effects as better systems of taxation and transparency surrounding the same - not in a country with significant income inequalities, where aid matters little to a good proportion of the population; where a prosperous middle-class does not see obvious benefits of aid projects on their own lives and therefore, does not care how much aid is received and how it is spent. Progressive taxes on the other hand, can affect both the rich and the poor and will surely matter more in rallying public opinion.

I agree that in many developing country contexts, patronage of the wrong kind marks the relationship between elected representatives and the voting public. Taxation-induced accountability is an opportunity to set this right by encouraging positive patronage relationships. Holding this view does not imply ignoring implementation problems in developing systems of taxation. See this paper by Mick Moore

All else being equal, the dependence of governments on general taxation has positive effects on the quality of governance. But that relationship is not automatic. How governments tax also matters. We cannot assume that, because they are fully dependent on taxation for revenues, governments will be capable, accountable, or responsive. They may levy taxes coercively, and thereby damage state-society relations and reinforce poor governance. Public authorities in contemporary poor countries face some incentives to tax coercively. Establishing more consensual taxation practices is an important practical route to improving governance. 

See more research on taxation and development at IDS

Hits and Misses in 2010

Alison Evans gives her (and her ODI colleagues') list of hits and misses for international development in 2010 here. Its an interesting list and one issue that repeats itself, in many facets is global governance. Multilateralism is facing a big challenge - whether it is in dealing with the financial crisis, climate change or global terrorism. This also highlights how globalised we have become, with so many of these development problems being regarded as global challenges, with calls for joint global action.

The successes were hard-earned and will continue to add up. But lots more got pushed back to another year, and will rank among 'what went wrong' in 2010; so, a few more of these on my list are -

• Migration laws got worse of many 'developed' countries
• US' failure to be progressive in the climate talks, even as India and China continue to flip-flop
• Insufficient headway made in the global wars on terror; and in curbing local terrorist violence in countries like Pakistan
• India's excruciatingly slow progress in human development (easily a global development issue, now that nearly half of the New Bottom Billion lives there) 

Power to empower

A development professional recounts his experiences and ponders on the meaning of empowerment -

She told me that empowerment was not just weekly meetings and discussions; it was not just about laws, demanding our rights, and seeking out our entitlements. She said for a woman, it was also about providing the physical, emotional and the intellectual space and freedom for allowing all these things to happen in a conducive environment. 

The author quotes a woman (above) after describing an entire day spent with her. Not a new story, this one - just a reminder of how critical basic services are in improving the lives of people.