Connecting the First Mile : Investigating Best Practices for ICTs And Information Sharing for Development

This paper summarizes the findings from a research project conducted by ITDG and Cranfield School of Management (Bedford, UK) into using ICTs (like the Internet or mobile telephony) to share information with people at grassroots level - "connecting the first mile".

Lucky Lowe is a professional manager with 20 years experience working in the UK construction and international human settlements sectors. More recently she worked on knowledge sharing issues as ITDG's Knowledge and Information Services Unit Manager.

Surmaya Talyarkhan is the Knowledge Sharing Adviser at ITDG, specializing in the field of information communication technologies for development and knowledge sharing.

David J. Grimshaw is the International Team Leader of the ‘Responding to New Technologies Programme’ at Practical Action, and Visiting Fellow at Cranfield School of Management in Bedford. His areas of expertise are: in information systems strategy, usability, knowledge management, ICTs for development, and geographical information systems.