UK Launch of 2010 UN Information Economy Report: ICTs, Enterprises and Poverty Alleviation

The UK launch of the global Information Economy Report 2010, will be hosted by Manchester's Brooks World Poverty Institute and Centre for Development Informatics (CDI) on the afternoon of Thursday 14 October 2010.

This year's report, produced by the UN Conference on Trade and Development with significant contributions from CDI staff, focuses on poverty alleviation, enterprise and ICTs. It shows how diffusion of ICTs is changing the role of the poor from disconnected to connected, and from consumers to producers and innovators. Millions of new jobs have been created through mobile phones, supporting networks of micro-enterprises that reach 'bottom of the pyramid' markets in ways large firms cannot. Outsourcing is starting to bring new income to Africa, and new development models such as 'social outsourcing' are pushing benefits into poor communities. Further growth requires greater ICT diffusion, but policy must move from a supply- to a demand-driven approach that recognises and scales up the innovations already occurring within these communities.

A free copy of the report, which includes statistical annexes, will be provided to those attending the launch workshop. The workshop will be chaired by Prof. Armando Barrientos, Research Director, Brooks World Poverty Institute. Speakers drawn from the development sector, private sector and academia will highlight key lessons for the future. They include:

• Torbjörn Fredriksson, Chief, ICT Analysis Section, UNCTAD
• Gabriel Solomon, Senior Vice President for Public Policy, GSM Association
• Andrew Scott, Policy and Programmes Director, Practical Action
• Dr George Manu, Director, Creative Squares
• Prof. Richard Heeks, Director, Centre for Development Informatics

The event is free and open to all, but for planning purposes please confirm your attendance by emailing: richard.heeks@manchester.ac.uk