WG 9.4: Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries

13^th International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries

Conference Theme

Various discourses around “openness” are present in the domain of ICT and development studies. An initial discourse in this area

related to open source software and open standards, and how these can strengthen public information systems in developing

countries. In recent times, we read about “open data” which involve governments placing relevant data in the public domain, and

which may or may not require to be supported by open software. Open development is a more overarching theme being positioned

as a theory of development, focusing on understanding how information-networked activities are carried out, in what circumstances

and to what benefit. This openness discourse continues to unfold in a political-technical environment of increasingly centralized

computing (cloud), cyber-crime, cyber-terrorism and increasingly comprehensive surveillance. 

The conference theme of “Openness in ICT4D: Critical reflections on future directions” will seek to critically discuss different facets of

open and openness, whether they represent hype or reality or both, what promises they hold for creating a better world, and what are

the challenges and approaches we face in achieving the promised potential. To do this we welcome contributions from a wide range of

perspectives, discussing for example potential tensions between open source and open data, the role of actors like the open society

initiative in promoting openness as a value, and positive and negative freedoms.

Conference tracks

We invite those interested in participating to submit to one of the following tracks ( for more details, visit here).

• Themes, Insights and Agendas for ICT4D Research and Practice

• Graduate Student Track (please note optional early submission deadline)

• Open Innovation: Governance Models, Implementation Tools, Strategies and Outcomes

• Designing Open and Sustainable Technologies for Development

• Disasters and Climate Change, Role of ICTs, Challenges and Opportunities for Developing Regions

• Open Science for Development

• Development and ICT-enabled Well-Being

• Critical Reflections on Information Systems for Community Development

• Health Information System Architectures

• A Critical Understanding of ICT4D

• Open Government for Public Service Delivery: Critical Issues, Emerging Possibilities

• The Data Revolution in International Development

• ICT4D in Sri Lanka - Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions

Best papers from this conference will be invited to a special issue on Openness in ICT4D for the Information Technology

for Development Journal.

Link to  submission template .