In recent years, the study of market
behavior and global demographic evolution has become insufficient for providing
solutions for public problems. Keeping track of the latest technology trends
has become a central variable to be kept into account by social entrepreneurs,
since human based solutions have to correspond with a technified way of living.
Accordingly, Isobel Coleman[1],
Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations,
points out in her blog a list of “Three Trends to Watch in International
Development for 2012”.[2]
The first
of these trends relates to the use of mobile technologies for health and
government services. The second trend we should keep in mind is the surge of
technologies for improving agricultural productivity. Finally, the third trend
Isobel Coleman talks about highlights the importance of establishing identity
through digital means to help citizens exercise their rights.
From these
trends I find mHealth initiatives to be particularly helpful for satisfying one
of the most imperative human needs necessary for individual and global
development. For example, the Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in
Tanzania (CCBRT) and the UNFPA had partnered to eliminate transportation costs
for new mothers in need for a fistula surgery.
Once a new mother is located via SMS by the CCBRH, the UNFPA sends a
money transfer through an SMS to CCBRH doctors so they could pay for the patient’s
bus ticket.[3]
Moreover, the
Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action (MAMA)[4]
is currently sending SMS and voice messages to pregnant women Bangladesh,
India, and South Africa. When mothers register for this service, they get
health advice focused on the stage of their pregnancy or even the age of their
children. For instance, a mother would get information about the vitamins she
should be taking or about the benefits of vaccinating their children.[5]
Nevertheless,
there are still many developing countries with low rates of mobile
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Most of these countries, like Afghanistan or
Pakistan could benefit from mobile technologies for development, but they are
excluded de facto. In Afghanistan
only 54.26 inhabitants out of 100, have a mobile and in Pakistan there are
61.61 mobile users for every 100 inhabitants.[6]
Most likely, these mobile users are not among the most disadvantaged
individuals in these countries.
This
situation represents a window of opportunity both for policy makers and for
social entrepreneurs who have to search for better solutions for either
improving market conditions for making mobile phones accessible to a broader
population or looking for new and more innovative ideas for solving social
problems other people have solved through the use of mobile phones.
[6] International Telecommunication
Union. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/explorer/index.html
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