Reimagining Participation: Opportunities and Challenges of the Open Source Model of Collaboration for Development Thinking and Practice

Abstract

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.