Achieving Goals through Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
By Cris Evert Tolentino, December 2, 2015
What is ICT?
TechTarget defines Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, health care, or libraries. According to United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), ICTs play an increasingly important role in the way we communicate, learn, and live. It considers that ICTs can contribute to universal access to education, equity in education, the delivery of quality learning and teaching, teachers’ professional development as well as improve education management, governance and administration provided the right mix of policies, technologies and capacities are in place.
Photo retrieved from un.org
What is MDG?
Millennium Project defines the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as the world's time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions – income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion-while promoting gender equality, education, and environmental sustainability. They are also basic human rights – the rights of each person on the planet to health, education, shelter, and security. The targets are composed of 8 goals which are to be achieved and have a deadline of 2015. From the website of Millennium Project, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are as follows:
Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty
Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
This article, however, will only discuss four of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and its relation to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). How ICTs can help achieve the MDGs particularly goal numbers 2, 3, 5, and 6 – Achieve Universal Primary Education, Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, Improve Maternal Health, and Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases, respectively – will be the main points of this article.
Photo retrieved from mdgmonitor.org
Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education
ICTs play a big and important role in education today. Now that we live in a Digital age, where everything moves and works in fast pace, education also received a transformation brought by the advent of modernization and technology. Although traditional ways of teaching are still present today, we cannot depart from the reality that many schools today now offer a whole new different level of education through the assistance of technology. Schools today now offer Computer and Technology subjects and courses that will teach students and will enable them to consume or use technologies effectively for growth, development, and production. Even in Primary education, pedagogical institutions now offer the young an access to ICT education at an early stage and age. These include the basics about computer and primary software like Microsoft Word, Power Point, and, sometimes, Excel. Learning the basics about these technologies will allow the students to take their studies to a different level like for example in class presentations, reports, and projects. Teachers and Professors also benefit from these because these allow them to come up with different ideas on how they can effectively teach and equip their students, how to gain their interest, and how they can take teaching and education to a different level. ICTs opened many doors to a better education and it is fair to say that ICTs really do play a crucial role in achieving Goal 2 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Photo retrieved from mdgmonitor.org
Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
The Internet, particularly Social Media, created an avenue for people across the globe to connect and communicate right at the comfort of his place. Through the luxuries offered by Social Media, – ease, speed, accessibility, and etc. – people from different places, even countries, found new ways to share ideas, information, and advocacies. A lot of people are now engaged in the use of Social Media. Many people have accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These platforms are no longer just bridges for plain communication but now can be a place and medium for communicating the promotion of equality, eradication of hate and discrimination, and the empowerment, not just of women, but of everyone. The simplest examples could be online statuses, photos, and articles about the state of men and women. Different inspirational writings are published and exist over the Internet and these are not limited to articles only but could also include literary productions and pieces of arts. This is an easy medium to take Goal number 3 into reality because in a matter of seconds a lot of people can see, read, understand, and share information, and who knows how long and how far a post can go. The world has become communal through the Internet. It has made the people connected regardless of distance and diversities. It has somehow made a room for each person in places that could be physically impossible to reach. It allowed voices to be heard louder, deeper, and farther.
Photo retrieved from mdgmonitor.org
Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Information dissemination about health, adequate and competent facilities, sufficient knowledge about anything and everything related to women’s and children’s health, hunger, and malnutrition are just some of the possible solutions that could be achieved in relation to Goal 5 with the aid of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). With the help of technologies the world has today, it is now easier to provide information and tips about maternal health and eradicating hunger and malnutrition. It is faster to pass and to share information from one individual to another which makes it more convenient and timely to apply the learned information or tips. With the existence of the state of the art technologies that are useful when it comes to improving health, some countries now have better equipment to deal with different illnesses related to people and to women in particular. These innovations can help in providing better assistance and healthcare to people aside from the usual yet effective ways many people are still doing up to this time like feeding programs, health seminars, health assistance and programs, and many others.
Photo retrieved from mdgmonitor.org
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases
This goal is also related to health but more particular to diseases like HIV/AIDS and Malaria. The same with Goal 5 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ICTs can possibly assist in Goal 6 through Health Communication. Through the faster means of communication offered by technologies, it is easier to let the people know more about these diseases like its causes, dangers, and state. Also through the aid of ICTs, it is easier and faster to disseminate warnings and other related information about health and these diseases. These may include how to combat such diseases, how to avoid them, and how people can partake in helping other people who are affected and infected by such diseases. Likely, with the help of better facilities and technologies, there is a bigger chance that humanity can overcome these diseases with proper knowledge and lifestyle.
Photo retrieved from globalopportunitynetwork.org
The Sustainable Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are about to expire this 2015 but new sustainable development agendas are planned out to continue achieving progress and development and to make sure no one and no country get left behind. According to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as Global Goals, go much further than the MDGs, addressing the root causes of poverty and the universal need for development that works for all people. SDGs will run over the next 15 years and will finish the job of MDGs, and ensure that no one is left behind. UNDP Administrator Helen Clark noted:
"This agreement marks an important milestone in putting our world on an inclusive and sustainable course. If we all work together, we have a chance of meeting citizens’ aspirations for peace, prosperity, and wellbeing, and to preserve our planet."
Truly, the world changes and evolves in a fast pace. It is actually good to know that, although not all, many people and many countries now are in the progress of growth and development. Through proper understanding, integration, cooperation, and, of course, proper and efficient use of technologies, the world can achieve the wide array of SDGs. Growth and development do not only require intellectual minds but it also requires deep understanding and whole-hearted cooperation of one another. Together let us hope and work for a better world.
About the Author:
I’m a Communication major. Sporadically, I work as a host and singer. I enjoy talking, a lot. Deep conversations highly interest me. When I speak and write, I don’t just want to touch hearts and minds but I want to inspire and captivate souls. I also love to delight myself in the world of Sociology.
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