ICT and Rural Development in the Global South

Dr Willem van Eekelen is an economist who worked for a range of companies, donors, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations – always in the broad field of international development. Until 2010, Willem mostly held policy and programme positions. Since then, he has worked as an independent evaluator in the humanitarian and development sectors. In parallel, Willem supports organisations with their strategy development, holds occasional trusteeships and teaches at the University of Birmingham. Willem co-owns Green Visions, a rural adventure tourism company. His previous publications include academic works (including Routledge’s Rural Development in Practice) as well as a few tourist guides and Bloomsbury’s 100 ideas for Dads who love their kids but find them exhausting.

PROLOGUE PART 1: ICT’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT Introduction Chapter 1: Agricultural production processes Chapter 2: Trade Chapter 3: Diversified livelihoods Chapter 4: Microfinance Chapter 5: Remittances and social assistance Chapter 6: E-government Chapter 7: Climate change and natural resource management Chapter 8: The spread of ICT products and services PART 2: THE RISKS, DANGERS AND EXTERNALITIES OF ICT Introduction Chapter 9: Farming and rural employment Chapter 10: Financial safety and security Chapter 11: Gambling Chapter 12: The digital divide and its effects Chapter 13: Misinformation Chapter 14: Inclusivity and civic space CONCLUSIONS ANNEX 1: METHODOLOGY ANNEX 2: RESEARCH INTEGRITY AND ETHICS