Community ICT transformation discussion papers and case studies

In Australia and elsewhere, ICT is proving to be a key tool that communities, nonprofit organisations and groups use to make their operations more efficient, better connect with their clients and members and work together to strengthen their communities. Two new discussion papers provide an overview and bring together current research in relation to the role of ICT in the community, in building social capital and in the nonprofit sector.

The role of ICT in building communities and social capital

This paper explores the adoption and uses of ICT in community and social contexts in Australia and selected countries, highlighting approaches taken by governments and community groups and presenting examples of good practice. It identifies some of the impediments to more effective use of ICT to achieve community and social benefits. It is the first government research to look at the relationships between social capital and ICT. Click here to access discussion paper.

Information and communication technologies transforming the nonprofit sector

This paper explores ICT adoption and use in the nonprofit sector as a priority for the Australian economy and society. It highlights examples of good practice that can transform community and all parts of the nonprofit sector. It further considers some of the issues and challenges facing the nonprofit sector's adoption and effective use of ICT. Click here to access discussion paper.

Community ICT Transformation: Case Studies

In this set of case studies, a cross-section of communities, nonprofit organisations and groups share their experiences-how they introduced ICT, the barriers and challenges they overcame and the lessons learned while using ICT to make their operations more efficient and to better connect with their clients, members and each other. Click here to access case studies.

Consultation

Consultation on the discussion papers took place from February to April 2005. The papers were intended to stimulate public discussion and provide a basis for consultation on the social and community impacts of ICT. Interested parties were invited to provide comments and submissions on the issues discussed in these papers. 35 submissions were received from nonprofit organisations, government departments, individuals and private enterprises in response to the discussion papers. The submissions raised a broad range of social, technical and economic barriers to increase use of ICT in the community and nonprofit sector as well as providing further evidence to support continued work in increasing the uptake and use of ICT.

A full summary of the comments and submissions received are outlined in the report Community ICT Transformation: Next Steps. This report provides a précis of the main findings of the discussion papers and a summary of the key issues and main recommendations drawn from the submissions.

The Department anticipates using the results of this consultation to inform future activities and policy directions.

• Document ID: 23629 |
• Last modified: 6 February 2008, 11:10am