The PAN Prospectus 2006-2011 provides a five-year programming strategy developed within the context of the rapidly changing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Development landscape in Asia. Characterized by increased access to computers and other electronic devices, and rapid growth in mobile telephony, ICTs show the potential to be truly transformative in addressing development challenges in this highly diverse region. Although some Asian countries have substantial technological bases, strong and proven institutions, and well-developed human resources, others are at the early stages of adopting ICTs and are eager to participate in the burgeoning knowledge society. Rural populations in the region especially comprise over 3 billion people who do not have access to any form of connectivity. Considerable improvements in connectivity, while creating new opportunities for economic growth and social development, are tempered by their limited penetration in rural areas and developing Asia.

The majority of rural Asians today do not have access to basic telephony (let alone the Internet). Moreover, South Asia, home to 50% of the world’s poor, has more people who do not have access to the Internet or telephony than the rest of the world combined. Inadequate and restrictive policy environments, a need to focus on technological R&D innovations, and limited understanding of the positive and negative effects of ICTs on given communities, have all been identified by PAN as contributing factors to achieving our mission — empowering communities to address their key development challenges through effective access to information and communication technologies.

Findings were drawn from PAN’s external evaluation and the Prospectus consultation meeting with regional stakeholders in 2005 at the time that objectives for this Prospectus were being formulated. The external review, while confirming PAN’s strengths in applied connectivity pilot studies, regional consultation, and participatory research suggested that the objectives be more limited, clear and focused, and that future programming include a more systematic approach for gender mainstreaming. At the consultation meeting, participants affirmed PAN’s niche as a leader in its focus on communities and supported the key directions of the program outlined in this Prospectus. PAN’s vision is supported by targeted research support in three key areas: policies, technologies and effects. These three themes and their corresponding objectives work iteratively to address our research problematic in a holistic manner. Read the complete document ...