Maximizing information and communications technologies for development in faith-based initiatives

2014
Maximizing Information and
Communications Technologies for
Development in Faith-Based Initiatives
(ICT4DF)

2014
ict4df.org

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT IN FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES ICT4DF.ORG
Table of Contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 7
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 8
SUMMIT OVERVIEW 9
PROBLEM STATEMENT 11
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 11
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES 12
PARADIGM SHIFT 13
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE 13
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES 14
SUCCESS STORIES 17
ICT4DF IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS 19
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS 22
5

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT IN FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES ICT4DF.ORG 7INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT IN FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES
As the host and lead for the initial Information and Communications Technologies for
Faith-Based Initiatives, the Education and Training Institute recognizes and appreciates the
following for their outstanding contributions to the 2014 International Faith-Based ICT4DF
Leaders Summit and the subsequent white paper.
Dr. John E. Steffens
WHITE PAPER CO-AUTHOR
The Rev. N. Neelley Hicks
Dr. Larry Hollon
The Rev. David L. Neely
Robert St. Thomas
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP
The Rev. Liberato “Levi” Bautista
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP
Dr. Amjad Umar
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP
Dr. Abraham Joseph
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP
Dr. Richard H. Niemeyer
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP
Terri Hasdorff
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP
The Rev. Donald D. Smidt
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP
Dr. J. Dwight Davidson
SUMMIT LEADERSHIP
Adrienne C. Alexander
WHITE PAPER AND SUMMIT COORDINATOR
Phyllis L. Alexander
SUMMIT COORDINATOR
Summit Steering Committee
SUMMIT VISION AND PLANNING
80+ Summit Attendees
SUMMIT PARTICIPATION
Acknowledgements
COMMUNICATIONS
United Methodist Communications
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Produced by

ICT4DF.ORG INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT IN FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES8
Executive Summary
The following white paper is an outcome of the ICT4DF Leaders’ Summit held on April 9, 2014,
in New York City. It summarizes several issues facing faith-based organizations in effectively accom-
plishing their mission and proposes a transformational approach that leverages emerging technologies
to serve developing communities better.
This paper acknowledges a shared commitment to serving people and improving access and
sustainability for life’s basic needs, which guides the discussion around how church organizations
can maximize positive outcomes in achieving this goal.
The digital revolution has created a new paradigm, which, if used effectively, results in exponential
positive impact of sustainable development efforts through the developing world. It requires new
individual and organizational behaviors that support open-source, shared action and multiple contributors
to any situation. Its supporters are organizations that operate more horizontally than vertically, who
value reciprocal versus territorial relationships, and who arrange multiple collaboration alliances and
cooperatives appropriate to the project at hand.
The traditional model of faith-based missions gives way to the use of information and communications
technologies in every sector of their work and in field capacity building, which empowers the local
community and leads to long-term empowerment and sustainability. Emerging technologies that are
available, affordable and appropriate to local applications are also essential to success. Achieving common
goals of interfaith collaboration and universal access among all people and groups is essential and offers
the greatest potential to reach the Millennium Development Goals, Post-2015 Agenda, Sustainable
Development Goals and Faith-Based Mission Goals.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT IN FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES ICT4DF.ORG 9
Summit Overview
The first Infopoverty World Conference started in 2001. About the same time, the United Nations
Development Programme, in partnership with multiple global and national organizations, established
the Millennium Development Goals to build and share solutions that empower nations to withstand
crisis, and drive and sustain growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. Infopoverty focuses
on fighting poverty through innovations and information and communications technologies in particular.
Over the years, the conference has provided a forum for addressing the issues around leveraging information
and communications technologies for fighting poverty and discussing best practices and development
strategies for United Nations’ countries.
Through the collaboration and information sharing at the Infopoverty World Conference, faith leaders
participating in previous Infopoverty programs and/or the conference expressed a desire to meet and
generate an agenda for using information and communications technologies for development in faith-
based initiatives. Responding to this need, a steering committee began exploring ideas for what became
the first annual International Faith-Based
ICT4DF Leaders Summit. Information and
communications technologies organizers OCCAM
(Observatory for Cultural Communications and
Audiovisual Media) and the University of Okla-
homa Infopoverty Institute endorsed the summit.
It was hosted by the Education and Training Institute and co-hosted by The United Methodist Church–
General Board of Church and Society and United Methodist Communications, ICT4DF organizations
and the Summit Steering Committee.
Faith-based leaders and community-development organizations and representatives were identified
and invited to participate in effective missions outreach to developing nations. More than 80 faith-
based leaders convened on April 9, 2014, at The Church Center for the United Nations, 777 First
Avenue at 44th Street, New York City. Government agencies, international organizations, developing
nations, information and communications technologies experts, development experts, churches, mission
organizations, public and private faith organizations and other entities came together to focus on
ICT4DF and its use. The goal was to maximize individual, collaborative and collective impact by
empowering missions and ministries in developing countries to change lives and life conditions
through sustainable development and empowerment.
The summit presented case studies of successful development and missions outreach initiatives that
leverage information and communications technologies. It also facilitated discussion among leaders
and experts on strategies and considerations for advancing the use of information and communications
technologies in faith-based initiatives. Participants were also invited to share abstracts, organizational
profiles, case studies and relevant presentation materials electronically for greater information sharing
Infopoverty focuses on fighting poverty
through innovations and information and
communications technologies in particular.

ICT4DF.ORG10
and collaboration opportunities. Facilitated discussion sessions conducted during the summit were
documented and compiled into this white paper to serve as guidelines for implementing ICT4DF
and its strategic goals.
Additional outcomes from the summit include:
• Increased awareness of summit organizations, missions, resources and best practices
• Affirmed common ICT4DF goals
• Facilitated functional networking and collaboration among participants
• Established common foundation to increase empowerment in developing countries
• Presented outcomes to the Infopoverty World Conference
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT IN FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES

Problem Statement
ICT4DF resulted from a shared interest in addressing world poverty and improving quality of life
in underdeveloped regions by leveraging information and communications technologies. The vision
includes the participation of organizations from a variety of faith traditions; however, its guiding principles
and values are rooted in Christian theology. Christian theology lives at the intersection of faith and
culture, addressing both spiritual and physical needs of all people and nurturing, preserving and
sustaining God’s creation. Despite any differences in spiritual doctrine or practice, what is common
to all religions (faiths or belief systems) is the need to deal with human suffering and death. 1
On the
most basic questions of human existence and survival, both faith-based and secular organizations can
find common ground and setting aside differences, work together to address the most basic issues.
Organizational Structure
The traditional model of faith-based missions involves a group of people who travel into another
country for a limited time–perhaps one or two weeks–to provide targeted support services, leave and,
in some cases, return the next year to repeat the process. People living in the affected areas benefit from
these missions, but only for that short period, and then wait for the return of those who provide benefits
again in the future. Sometimes, resident expatriate missionaries supervise and administer programs.
However, upon their absence, the mission often folds. Many older models operate in a hierarchical and
narrowly focused system of decision-making and resource allocation in which information flows down-
ward and outward within a given organization with little interaction or input for similar or supporting
entities. As a result, a corporation or an organization might offer its solution to a limited population
with limited or no long-term results.
This type of silo thinking permeates some Christian faith-based parachurch organizations that work
outside of and across denominations to engage in social welfare and evangelism, usually independent
of church oversight. In mission infrastructure, such ministries and organizations often operate in close
proximity to one another, with little or no interaction or collaboration. This is true within the United
States and abroad. This methodology can result in expensive and less effective project-by-project imple-
mentations of necessary resources, including Internet access and power coverage in low-resource regions
throughout the world. These singularly focused solutions must be re-evaluated to identify the interrelat-
edness of problems and define more collaborative solutions that leverage the strengths of both faith-based
and secular organizations for greater impact.
1
M. Douglas Meeks Cal Turner Chancellor Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies
Vanderbilt University Divinity School Nashville, TN 37240

ICT4DF.ORG12
Information and Communications Technologies
In light of technology advancements and an increasingly global economy, the challenge for many
faith-based organizations today is how to expand operations to leverage tools, including information
and communications technologies, to combat poverty and improve living conditions around the world.
Information and communications technologies provide access to information and education that improve
quality of life; build stronger relationships among families, communities and nations; improve access to
health care; and improve emergency aid support as needed. These benefits positively affect individuals
and support community development, economic growth and improved community health.
For faith-based organizations to leverage information and communications technologies as they
collaborate in a more global community, it is important to focus on the shared goal of improving living
conditions for people around the world, rather than any individual motives or priorities. For some, this
represents a fundamental shift in missions outreach, development strategies and management practices.
Organizations must transform management structures to incorporate more collaboration to achieve
positive and sustainable impact on the individuals or communities they serve. Churches and parachurch
organizations, in partnership with individuals, governments and civil societies, can increase their impact
in the community and improve development and opportunities for people around the world.

Paradigm Shift
Organizational Structure
Collaboration is critical to the success of ICT4DF. Since faith-based organizations have differing
theological views, the central focus of ICT4DF is a shared commitment to information access as a means
to overcome information poverty. Differentiation must give way to common social good, and groups
must re-examine the ways they care for communities together. As resources and experience of community
and global partners are leveraged, effectiveness and successful, sustainable outcomes increase. As ICT4D
expands to information-deprived regions, the need for collaborative, comprehensive change becomes
more critical. It is both a matter of scope and scale, as well as the recognition that a single agency with
singularly focused inputs stands a much smaller chance, if any, of creating the lasting change necessary
to improve quality of life. To accomplish the necessary change requires organizations to operate in new
ways, blending contributions of skills, education and strategies across multiple entities to address the
complex conditions surrounding poverty.
The introduction of ICT4D requires thoughtful collaboration and proper training of community groups
and individuals to use technology and design sustainable solutions effectively. No single foundation,
government, organization or solution can stand alone in achieving better quality of life around the world.
For example, the global effort to reduce malaria deaths cut the death toll significantly over the past decade
through a collaborative effort that involves governments, foundations, faith-based organizations and local
communities.
The goal involves multiple efforts including:
• Provision of mosquito nets and training in their use
• Indoor residual spraying
• Better diagnosis and access to treatment
• Medications
• Environmental cleanup
• Education about transmission
• Behavior change communication
• Training hospital health boards and staffs
• Training community health workers

ICT4DF.ORG14
Paradigm Shift: Continued
Information and communications technologies are an important part of this effort from tracking the
disease in various regions, to diagnosis using cellphone applications in the hands of community health
workers, to text messaging that builds awareness on the use of bed nets, to notices about available clinics
and medications and what symptoms to watch for. Given the range of skills and resources needed, collabo-
rative efforts are required. To accomplish these efforts, the skills of various professionals and organizations
focused on a common goal–the reduction of malaria deaths–can achieve a meaningful scale.
Similarly, health, sanitation, water and environment make up a complex combination of factors that,
if tackled in a comprehensive way, can improve quality of life. However, these factors are also complicated
by poverty, which is connected to the need for literacy, education, economic opportunity, agricultural
skills and inputs. Again, a comprehensive collaboration, using data gathered from multiple sources can
bring change, but no single input can accomplish what a truly multifaceted collaboration can accomplish.
The challenges are great, but the transformational potential is even greater when the goal is to bring
empowerment to people whom others have forgotten, marginalized and left to their own devices. The
capacity of ICT4D to educate, inform and motivate is perfectly suited for these circumstances, if intro-
duced with care using the best practices of community organization and viewed in a holistic perspective.
Information and Communications Technologies
Information and communication technology for development
(ICT4D) is a game-changing intervention. Information-deficit regions
exist around the world; however, the digital footprint is rapidly ex-
panding. With it comes greater awareness that narrowly focused solu-
tions to complex problems are inadequate to the challenges communi-
ties face. Living well in this age requires that we leverage technological
advances for application in various social contexts not only to expand
access to information and resources, but also to operate realistically
within the physical infrastructure constraints. As churches engage their
global communities, it is critical that they use available tools to serve
both individuals and communities. Information and communications
technology is but one of a number of tools available for long-term,
sustainable development. However, information and communications
technology, if used properly, can multiply the church’s impact on the
ground exponentially.
The Gutenberg Press transformed information accessibility beyond the privileged few, particularly
in the religious community. Similarly, the onset of digital media has expanded access to books and
information traditionally available only in public libraries with extensive collections. As the church in

particular has been charged with caring for the poor, now those who have been most marginalized from
communications and information are finding themselves empowered to overcome many challenges they
face. To improve its effectiveness, the church must harness the power of these tools to overcome the
oppression of information poverty.
Advances in digital technologies have a profound effect on how and with whom information is shared,
creating new dynamics for government and educational institutions as well as nonprofit organizations.
In journalism, for example, the electronic media has upended traditional models of reporting and dis-
tributing information by making it possible for users to bypass gatekeepers and get information directly
from the source. It has also made the “people formerly known as the audience,” as described by Professor
Jay Rosen, who have cellphones and social media accounts both producers and consumers of global
information and challenges organizations to operate more transparently.
The digital revolution has created a new paradigm that not only reshapes the information technology
landscape and creates new social dynamics, but also introduces new ways to create and experience
culture, conduct business and communicate. The new paradigm uses mobile technology, cloud-based
storage and retrieval, and social and statistical analytics to diagnose, evaluate and achieve shared goals.
It results in a mix of proprietary information, solutions and programming that includes open source
and low- or no-cost hardware, software and services.
As an example, the use of broadband connectivity is already proving to be a game changer in under-
developed and underserved communities. Internet access can completely transform methods of evange-
lism, as well as theological and general education in these areas. Furthermore, newer computing devices
such as iPads or android tablets, which people use more and more to connect to the Internet in remote

ICT4DF.ORG16
areas, are becoming less expensive and more durable. These new devices are powerful tools that can
include biblical texts and resources, films in multiple languages, or similar tools that can be downloaded
for evangelism or training. Likewise, people can access counseling tools, theological education, pastoral
care tools and libraries through tablets, along with other development and empowerment program tools
including eBusiness, eMedicine and eGovernance.
The most transformative communication tool perhaps of modern-day civilization is the mobile
phone. Traditional phones that use landlines require an infrastructure privilege that many countries
have not extended as a universal right to all populations. The mobile phone, while still not accessible
to everyone, is now accessed by more than 90 percent of the world. To parts of the world that suffer
from information poverty, the phone can be a lifeline. The more revolutionary side of the phone is the
way it provides computing access to those who have never (and may never still) own a computer with
access to the internet. Short Message Service (otherwise known as texting) can become a vital means of
communicating essential news and information, including public health alerts and safety measures. For
example, if a region experiences an outbreak of cholera, text messages can alert community members to
boil their water, saving countless lives and costs of medical treatment.
Not all phones are alike; however, even those who own a basic feature phone can access books through
programs like biNu who promotes their service as “your smartphone in the cloud.” WorldReader uses
biNu to provide books–most of which are free–to parts of the world that do not have as high a
concentration of smartphones or tablet computers. Today, the Bible is held by almost everyone
who has a mobile phone and is more likely to be found in one’s own language.

Success Stories
Information and communications technologies are also creating new forms of community, new ways
to learn and new ways to do business and build community. For example, when a women’s agricultural
cooperative in Kisumu, Kenya, can get market prices for their produce directly from Nairobi through
Internet feeds and satellite downloads on a teacup-sized receiver, bypassing the old word-of-mouth
information delivered through middle distributors, they are no longer subject to economic exploitation
and abuse. They can negotiate their own prices with this awareness of the market and gain greater
ownership of their livelihood.
When students at a seminary in Gbanga, Liberia, have access to the books of the world through
e-readers, they step into a global library that was unavailable to them before electronic devices gave
them such access. No longer limited to the library of physical books, many of which may be dated,
they can step into the contemporary conversation about faith around the globe, raising their insight
and vision.
Faith-based organizations also can gain insight from NetHope and Inveneo, which provide good
practices in field capacity building. NetHope’s ongoing program (called NetHope Academy) involves
application and interview of those interested in expanding their knowledge base. Those who complete
the training become certified and part of a crowd-sourced network, which expands their opportunities
to gain employment. Inveneo’s certified partner program is similar and has helped information and
communications technology professionals gain knowledge in sustainable computing for low-resource
areas. This approach has put appropriate technology, low-cost Wi-Fi and renewable-energy solutions
into the hands of people who can then influence their communities year-round.
When faith-based groups provide information and communications technologies to community
groups, educational centers and health facilities, they are better able to live out their faith while sup-
porting the common good. Personal empowerment, social and economic development and the health
advancements made possible through information and communications technology are part of the
good news of the Christian faith, and the way the faithful live out their commitment to serve their
communities effectively.

ICT4DF.ORG INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT18

ICT4DF Implemention Considerations
Perhaps since the inception of the personal computer, well-meaning individuals and groups have taken
technologies that work for them into a vastly different landscape of the developing world – thinking
they could be used for social good. However, just as missionaries have learned that they should and
must respect cultural norms, those who seek to provide technology abroad must respect the physical
environment where technologies will be used.
The following questions can help provide a starting point in considering basic
infrastructure issues that many in the Western Hemisphere take for granted:
• Will electricity be available and affordable?
• What kind of physical structure will house the equipment? Will it be enclosed or in an open-air environment?
• Is the physical structure secure?
• Does the equipment require Internet access? If so, how will it be provided in a cost-effective manner?
• What content will best achieve the goals of the local community?
Electricity is not available and affordable in many parts of the world, and the next-best alternative–
fuel generators–is not adequate for sustainable computing solutions. Renewable energy must be part of
the solution; otherwise, the technology will become the focus of problem solving rather than the other
way around. Simple solar devices can fuel communication tools and generate income to individuals and
communities. In rural parts of the developing world, open-air buildings are the norm and can make
quick waste of traditional computing technologies. As an alternative, contextually appropriate computers
can withstand harsh environments–high heat, high humidity, dust, insects and rodents. Internet access,
although made more available through the mobile phone, is still not available to all or affordable for
all classroom environments abroad. Offline content can be an inexpensive way of overcoming these
challenges, and groups like World Possible are aggregating online content for download so that education
does not suffer simply because Internet is not available to a classroom population.
As faith-based organizations move more fully into the ICT4D space, regional infrastructure should
be considered that all could use, rather than on a project-by-project basis. Non-faith-based organi-
zations involved in development are integrating information and communications technologies into
every sector of their work and understand the importance of in-field capacity building to keep the work

ICT4DF.ORG20
ICT4DF Implemention Considerations: Continued
flowing throughout the year. Their goal is to promote local sustainability and income-generation rather
than dependency. This model aligns better with Christian theology and empowers communities for
long-term prosperity.
One issue that needs to be addressed within field capacity building is women’s lack of access to infor-
mation and communications technology and this line of employment. Kristin Peterson, co-founder of
Inveneo, said, “Women, in general, have 25 percent less access to the Internet, and in sub-Saharan Africa,
that number soars to 45 percent. Even in rapidly developing economies, the gap is immense. It is an
injustice that, in an age of information, those who are the bearers of life are shut off from information
that can actually save it.” Women’s TechConnect, a component of NetHope Academy, seeks to cultivate
relationships between women already successful in information and communications technology efforts,
and women who want to enter the field. It is one way of overcoming the injustice that exists in much
of the world.
Universal access to information will quite possibly offend groups that regularly marginalize women in
the use of information and communications technology, and interfaith collaboration must address this
issue thoughtfully. According to a New York Times article, “Nonprofits Review Technology Failures”
by Stephanie Strom, “a specialist at the World Bank related the story of how female weavers in a remote
Amazonian region of Guyana had against all odds built themselves a thriving global online business
selling intricately woven hammocks for $1,000 apiece. The state phone company had donated a
communications center that helped the women find buyers around the world, selling to places like the
British Museum. Within short order, though, their husbands pulled the plug, worried that their wives’
sudden increase in income was a threat to the traditional male domination in their society.”
(http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/technology/17fail.html?_r=0)
While Internet access opens the world to knowledge–both good and bad–faith-based organizations
seeking to improve communal life in all aspects should magnify Internet’s use for social good. The use
of information accessed through the Internet Education can positively influence health, job skills
development, and food safety and growth.
Information and communication technologies can act as tools of empowerment, but communities
of faith must push for equal access. The good of the whole improves when all leaders of households
and communities are equally included in solutions. Faith communities should model full inclusion
when implementing programs, ensuring representation of women in any training, programmatic
work and thought leadership.

Below are guidelines for establishing effective ICT4DF initiatives:
• Before beginning an information and communications technology solution as part of a mission, assess field
capacity by collaborating with groups like NetHope, Inveneo and other online crowdsourcing.
• Build missions that include job-skills development rather than performing jobs that only you can do.
• Study the local context for income-generating technologies that will help communities own the programs that
you may have helped them begin.
• Be intentional about including women and girls in information and communications technology field capacity
building. Pushing boundaries is never easy, and those who may benefit most will have the greatest difficulties,
so be sure to offer ongoing mentoring and support.
With a common agreement on information access at the center of interfaith
collaboration, much more could be achieved, including:
• Bringing Internet access to disenfranchised regions of the world, providing opportunities for global
relationships and modern education;
• Activating energy sources to benefit communities rather than individual projects;
• Training in ICTs to create a common thread of knowledge, building local sustainability and sparking
innovation; and
• Reducing disparity among communal groups, as access to information becomes universal.

ICT4DF.ORG22
Conclusion and Next Steps
The 2014 ICT4DF Leaders Summit and its subsequent white paper begin to lay the foundation for
a larger vision that will further advance the use of information and communications technologies in
faith-based organizations to address the growing support needs of impoverished populations. Despite
any differences in spiritual theology or organizational mission, the shared responsibility to serve the
poor can build a bridge that unifies tactics and resources across a broad spectrum of faith-based orga-
nizations for greater impact. By serving as partners in a paradigm shift that brings organizations into a
collaborative network leveraging many technological advances, more people will gain access to essential
information and resources, creating transformative and sustainable change.
The 2014 summit participants formed an initial network to share information on existing initiatives,
organizations, profiles, technology applications, case studies and other related resources. Other faith-
based organizations, technology partners or interested parties are invited and encouraged to join the
network and participate in this movement.
In order to continue the great work that began at the summit, ICT4DF invites your further involve-
ment in the network — a virtual organization supporting shared governance and a common goal to
address poverty issues through technology.
ICT4DF will engage its network partners to support:
• Strategic planning for the ICT4DF vision
• Development and maintenance of ICT4DF operations (e.g., organizational management and administration,
marketing and communications, research and development, project management, information technology)
• Initiative planning and project implementation
• Fundraising and business development
By working as partners, organizations can bring their best skills and talents to achieving the vision of
ICT4DF and share in the investment for a better international community.
For more information on how to connect with ICT4DF,
email ICT4DF@gmail.com.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT IN FAITH-BASED INITIATIVES ICT4DF.ORG

2014
(ICT4DF)
ict4df.org ict4df@gmail.com

Maximizing information and communications technologies for development in faith-based initiatives

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