Practical Insights on Digital Principles

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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.
The Ongoing Challenge of Protecting Privacy in Digital Development

The Ongoing Challenge of Protecting Privacy in Digital Development

Published on: Apr 18 2016 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on The Ongoing Challenge of Protecting Privacy in Digital Development
As digital is increasingly integrated into development, privacy protection will become more critical (and more complex), especially for individuals with greater...
Getting Principled on Digital Financial Services for Development

Getting Principled on Digital Financial Services for Development

Published on: Apr 15 2016 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Digital financial services (DFS) have emerged as complex and yet powerful tool for supporting economic development. Technology-enabled financial services comprise...
ICT Innovation Corps: Teaching Digital Principles to Non-Techie Staff

ICT Innovation Corps: Teaching Digital Principles to Non-Techie Staff

Published on: Mar 30 2016 by Kristen Roggemann - 3 Comments
One challenge with the Principles of Digital Development is explaining them to non-techie staff, who often make many decision that affect how ICT tools are deployed...
How to Balance the Tension Between Open Data and Privacy and Security?

How to Balance the Tension Between Open Data and Privacy and Security?

Published on: Mar 21 2016 by Linda Raftree - Comments Off on How to Balance the Tension Between Open Data and Privacy and Security?
At the Digital Development: From Principles to Practice Forum, ICT4D practitioners came together to discuss the inherent tensions between open and interoperable...
Leaping into the Principles for Digital Development

Leaping into the Principles for Digital Development

Published on: Mar 07 2016 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Leaping into the Principles for Digital Development
On Leap Day, Feb 29, over 260 people, representing more than 150 organizations participated in a Digital Development event held at FHI 360. It was an effort to...
We Must Build a Better Future for Digital Development

We Must Build a Better Future for Digital Development

Published on: Feb 29 2016 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on We Must Build a Better Future for Digital Development
My name is Adele Waugaman and over the past year I’ve served as rapporteur for a series of community discussions on the Principles for Digital Development. The...
How Can Open Source Software be Sustainable in International Development?

How Can Open Source Software be Sustainable in International Development?

Published on: Feb 11 2016 by Wayan Vota - 47 Comments
Recently Chris Fabian made the very interesting declaration. Since the UN’s charter is to produce public goods, he says “we do everything Open Source and Public...
You Are Invited to Digital Development: From Principle to Practice

You Are Invited to Digital Development: From Principle to Practice

Published on: Feb 08 2016 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on You Are Invited to Digital Development: From Principle to Practice
On February 29th, we will celebrate the Principles for Digital Development as a foundation for how technology should be utilized in international development programs...
Please RSVP Now for Digital Development: From Principle to Practice

Please RSVP Now for Digital Development: From Principle to Practice

Published on: Jan 12 2016 by Wayan Vota - Comments Off on Please RSVP Now for Digital Development: From Principle to Practice
“The Principles for Digital Development represent a commitment not only to innovation, but sustainable results,” said USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah in...
What’s Your ICT4D Cyber Threat Model?

What’s Your ICT4D Cyber Threat Model?

Published on: Nov 18 2015 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Threat models can make ICT4D more secure and safe to use. In computer science, “threat modeling” is the approach of playing through attacks and hacks ahead...