Science and technology have a controversial record in alleviating poverty, especially in the context of developing countries.
The technology push model – the idea that technological solutions can be transferred without problems across different contexts – has received much criticism within the development community. However, the latest wave of innovations, especially in the area of information and communication technologies (ICTs), seems to mark a sharp break with the past, promising increased access to information and opportunities for South-led innovations.
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This article comes from the IDS Bulletin 42.5 (2011) Reimagining Participation: Opportunities and Challenges of the Open Source Model of Collaboration for Development Thinking and Practice