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Communications

A young voter in Kenema, Sierra Leone, listens for election results via radio [Annie Bungeroth]

Poverty is often about lack of access to information. Communication can play a crucial role in providing knowledge that can make real differences to people's lives

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) - the internet, email, television, radio, CD-ROMs and telecommunications networks - is a useful tool in the fight against poverty.

ICT gives developing nations an opportunity to reduce poverty through economic growth and improved education.

Digital divide

Rich countries have cheaper and quicker communications technology than ever before, but many developing countries still lack basic services that allow them to enter the "information age".

The vast majority of the world's population have no access to reliable telecommunications and many have never used a telephone. The cost of internet access also remains unacceptably high in most developing countries.

But traditional communications will also continue to play an important role in sharing important information.

Public meetings or drama and arts are often used to explain issues, while radio, which is accessible to many more people than the internet, plays a vital role in development.

Nasreen in her vegetable garden, Pakistan. [Caritas]

As you sow you shall reap

Caritas Pakistan is helping people in Pakistan to make a better life for themselves after the earthquake by helping them to grow vegetables and look after their livestock
“I believe in the proverb that as you sow, you shall you reap”, explains Nasreen, 46, as she tends to her vegetable garden in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province.

An injured supporter of President Evo Morales is detained by anti-government protesters in Sucre, May 24, 2008 [REUTERS/David Mercado, courtesy www.alertnet.org]

Partners threatened in Bolivia unrest

CAFOD urges the UK government to help restore law and order in eastern Bolivia, after ambushes on indigenous communities leave dozens dead

Urgent warning about email scams

CAFOD supporters should beware two email scams currently being circulated, claiming to be from our organisation

Professor Mona Siddiqui (right of picture) will give the 2008 Pope Paul VI Lecture

Book tickets now for Pope Paul VI Lecture

Given by leading Muslim lecturer Professor Mona Siddiqui, and tackling the theme of working towards a just society - whatever our faith.
November 14, London

More than three million people in Colombia have been forced to flee their homes during decades of fighting between guerrilla groups, paramilitaries and the army - the highest number of displaced people in the world after Sudan [CARITAS Colombia/CAFOD]

Support our partners in their struggle

CAFOD has repeatedly asked the UK government to press the Colombian authorities to publicly defend human rights. Please support this call to action and the work of our partners in Colombia by emailing your MP now.

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