The Leapfrog Effect: Information Needs for Developing Nations

Abstract

Developing countries have special needs for information and communication. In the rush towards globalization of economies and communications, there is a danger that developing nations will get left behind. If we are to close the gap between the “information rich” and “information poor,” then we must take these specific needs into account. This chapter gives an account of some development problems and current initiatives and describes ways in which advancing technology can be manipulated by the developing world to gain social advantage. The term “leapfrog effect” is introduced to explain how advancement can be made in a revolutionary fashion, not incrementally. The chapter draws on the author’s direct experiences in Papua New Guinea, but many of the examples given and lessons learnt are applicable to many other developing nations.