“Breathing the thin air of cyberspace”: Global knowledge and the Nepal context

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Gregson, Jon | Upadhaya, Gaurab Raj

Affiliations: Electronic Networking Project, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal E‐mail: jgregson@lineone.net | United Mission to Nepal (UMN), GPO Box 126, Kathmandu, Nepal E‐mail: gaurab@geocities.com

Abstract: This article examines global and indigenous knowledge sharing with a focus on electronic information exchange in Nepal's development sector. Drawing on lessons from experience based on two local examples, a framework is presented of a strategy for realising the potential of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in countries where knowledge sharing and access is constrained in a variety of ways. The “iCAPACITY framework” outlined for the South Asian context integrates the inter‐dependent themes of Content, Access, and Partnership, highlighting the critical components that require consideration when building the capacity for ICT usage and knowledge sharing in a developing country context. Practical initial steps are put forward, that recognise the primary concern for holistically addressing economic, social and environmental issues, with the overall priority of alleviating poverty using broad‐based participation. The paper concludes that developing countries such as Nepal, currently occupy what may be metaphorically referred to as “the thin air of cyberspace”, where the essential knowledge needing to be shared locally or globally is not yet widely available or accessible. In this context, particular care has to be taken in formulating localised strategies and models that can improve the quality of this “air”, and lead to a situation where development efforts can truly be enhanced by the IT revolution.

Journal: Information Technology for Development, vol. 9, no. 3-4, pp. 141-152, 2000