§ John RobertsonTo ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what action he is taking to ensure that new technology provided to communities in developing countries is appropriate for need, sensibly deployed and that local people are consulted about their requirements. [128142]
§ Hilary BennDFID funds several projects helping to provide new technology to developing country communities. Each of these has emerged from extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including representatives of the communities themselves, to ensure that the provision is fit for purpose and appropriate to their needs.
In addition, DFID is widely engaged in research and advocacy through, for example, the UN Information Communication Technologies Task Force and the World Summit on the Information Society aimed at focusing new technology policy on the needs and interests of poor people in developing countries.