Practical Insights on Digital Principles

ICT4D Digital Principles in International Development

International development projects in ICT4D are adopting digital principles that aim to ensure that digital technologies are used in a way that is effective, sustainable, and inclusive. Digital Principles are developed to promote the responsible use of digital technologies to advance development goals.

Many of the digital principles below incorporate these key ideas:

  1. Prioritize user needs. Digital development projects should be designed with a deep understanding of the needs, preferences, and capabilities of the people who will use them.
  2. Promote innovation and continuous learning. Digital development projects should encourage innovation and experimentation, and should be designed in a way that allows for ongoing learning and improvement.
  3. Ensure digital security and privacy. Digital development projects should prioritize the security and privacy of users, and should be designed in a way that protects against potential threats or breaches.
Want DFID Grant Funding? Then Use Digital Principles in Your Proposals

Want DFID Grant Funding? Then Use Digital Principles in Your Proposals

Published on: Aug 19 2019 by Wayan Vota - 5 Comments
The Department for International Development (DFID) is a United Kingdom government department responsible for administering £10.9 billion GBP in overseas aid....
New USAID Guide: How to Use Data Responsibly in International Development

New USAID Guide: How to Use Data Responsibly in International Development

Published on: May 13 2019 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on New USAID Guide: How to Use Data Responsibly in International Development
As development practitioners, we have a responsibility to the people impacted by our programming, to local governments and partners, and to our own organizations...
Our 5 Guiding Principles for SurveyCTO. What Are Yours? – Your Weekend Long Reads

Our 5 Guiding Principles for SurveyCTO. What Are Yours? – Your Weekend Long Reads

Published on: Apr 13 2019 by Guest Writer - 6 Comments
As a social enterprise funded through user fees from hundreds of different organizations, we at Dobility have an unusual degree of freedom: for the most part, we...
How to Use the Digital Principles to Evaluate ICT4D Solutions

How to Use the Digital Principles to Evaluate ICT4D Solutions

Published on: Apr 10 2019 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
Back in 2014, I was excited to help lead the adoption efforts for the Principles for Digital Development, nine living guidelines that are designed to help integrate...
We Need a 10th Principle for Digital Development: Educate the User

We Need a 10th Principle for Digital Development: Educate the User

Published on: Mar 07 2019 by Kristen Roggemann - 3 Comments
We in the international development community talk a lot about privacy and security in digital development. We try to think through privacy and security in terms...
Introducing the Principles of Donor Alignment for Digital Health

Introducing the Principles of Donor Alignment for Digital Health

Published on: Oct 24 2018 by Wayan Vota - 1 Comment
Let us all celebrate the amazing transition that’s happening in health systems across low- and middle-income countries. Increasingly, data previously locked in...
10 User-Centered Design Principles for mHealth Program Success

10 User-Centered Design Principles for mHealth Program Success

Published on: Oct 01 2018 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on 10 User-Centered Design Principles for mHealth Program Success
Mobile health services delivered over voice (IVR, helplines), text channels (SMS and USSD) and, increasingly, rich media (online content and apps), provide much-needed...
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective ICT4D Initiatives in Africa

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective ICT4D Initiatives in Africa

Published on: Aug 30 2018 by Wayan Vota - 2 Comments
Way back in 2001, the SATELLIFE PDA Project demonstrated the viability of cutting-edge handheld computers at the time – Personal Digital Assistants or PDAs...
Why Next Generation Digital Learning Environments Are Useful for ICT4D

Why Next Generation Digital Learning Environments Are Useful for ICT4D

Published on: Jul 11 2018 by Steve Vosloo - 5 Comments
I recently participated in the Next Generation Student Success Symposium in Barcelona. The event, hosted by DXtera Institute and the Open University of Catalonia,...
A Magnificent Milestone: DFID is 100th Endorser of Principles for Digital Development!

A Magnificent Milestone: DFID is 100th Endorser of Principles for Digital Development!

Published on: May 08 2018 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on A Magnificent Milestone: DFID is 100th Endorser of Principles for Digital Development!
Today, DFID became the 100th endorsing organization for the Principles of Digital Development. Congratulations to the Digital Impact Alliance, DFID, and the international...