SIRCA Research Conference Global Dialogue on ICT for Development Phuket , Thailand April 16, 2011

1. An impact assessment framework to evaluate ICT-led development projects in Bangladesh Conducted by: Dr. Md. Mahfuz Ashraf SIRCA Project Investigator SIRCA Research ConferenceGlobal Dialogue on ICT for DevelopmentPhuket, ThailandApril 16, 2011 Supervised by: Dr. Roger W. Harris SIRCA Mentor

2. Research Context Existing Research Our Proposed Study Attention to the human and social systems Not paying sufficient attention to the human and social systems Research Gaps Our Focus Difficult to determine the contextual factors Dealing with strategic & organization level Dealing with micro level Identify contextual themes SIRCA Research Conference, Thailand 2011

3. Conceptual Framework Impact Assessment Sen’s Five Freedom PoliticalFreedoms EconomicFacilities ICT Intervention SocialOpportunities Protective Security End User Perspective Using Conceptual Framework TransparencyGuarantees SIRCA Research Conference, Thailand 2011

4. Methodology • Gonokendra (Multi-purpose community access center) in the village of Bhobanipur • Grameenphone Community Information Center (GPCIC) in the village of Chapulia • This research follows an interpretive approach, using qualitative methodologies. Research Approach Study Sites SIRCA Research Conference, Thailand 2011

5. Methodology (Contd.) • Participants • officials and • general local populace (aware of the presence and activities of the ICT4D project). Samples • Primary: Interview, Focus Group Discussion & Observation • Secondary: Report & other materials Data Collection • The definition of development based on categories identified by the respondents • The themes arising from our field data, which are supported by the interviewees’ comments and experiences. Data Analysis SIRCA Research Conference, Thailand 2011

6. Findings Discussion • Legal awareness • Expressing opinion Political Freedom • Employment opportunities • Utilizing resources Economic Facilities • Knowledge-Awareness-Communication Skills • Decision Making Capability Social Opportunities Transparency Guarantees • Access to Public Information • Transparent Governance Protective Security • Disseminating Security Information • Protecting Community ( Disaster Management) Themes from the field results Sen’s Five Freedoms SIRCA Research Conference, Thailand 2011

7. Some highlights from the fields Knowledge about basic cleanliness ‘My child is now used to washing his hands before eating, and after using the toilet’ ‘I don’t see any families now without sanitary latrines and soap or ash in front of their house in this village’ SIRCA Research Conference, Thailand 2011

8. Some highlights from the fields (Contd.) Information Dissemination ‘I was a witness to the days when my father could not provide three meals a day for our large family; so I consulted early with my husband regarding the safe and secure family-planning methods that I had learned about through Gonokendra’. SIRCA Research Conference, Thailand 2011

9. Future Directions Research Avenues • Further quantifying the relationship of ICT usages and the freedoms • Impact assessment across or between micro-meso-macro levels ICT4D Capacity Building for CDPR, meeting with the Honorable Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka Evidence based development Policy • Turning a research institute e.g. CDPR into a ICT4D policy-focused think tank. • Establishing ICT4D‘networks’ in Bangladesh to work effectively with public-private stakeholders. ICT4D Dialogues with Public ( Prime Minister Office, Government of Bangladesh) NGOs and Civil society SIRCA Research Conference, Thailand 2011

10. Thanks to All… This work was carried out with the aid of a SIRCA grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada, and administrative support from the Singapore Internet Research Centre (SiRC), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. SIRCA Research Conference, Thailand 2011