ICT Projects versus ICT Leadership

I have been looking at nominations for the Petersberg Prize for exemplary contribution in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for development. I was struck by the novelty of the view of the field it provided me.

I have been working with projects for a long time. Some projects, and some people managing projects have been nominated, as well they should be.

However, some of the interesting nominations are for people who play a more diversified role in the information revolution. These folk are involved in teaching and training, building an ICT workforce. They advise on ICT4D policy and related development policies. They are prime movers in the development of ISPs, academic ICT programs, Internet governance, and other initiatives. They play a role in the expansion of the network of telecenters.

The view of these folk going about their business reduces the importance of projects, and encourages a longer range view of the ICT4D process.