ICTlogy

Abstract:

This paper analyses the interplay between the activities of international development nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and recent transformations to the way knowledge is accessed, shared and diffused online, known as the ‘Web 2.0 revolution’. Using as a framework of reference Castells’ globally-networked information society, it argues that NGOs are not exploiting the full potential of new online technologies to develop more collaborative knowledge-management practices, seeing them instead mainly as marketing, campaigning and communication tools aimed at Northern audiences. Failure to understand how Web 2.0 can be used to engage in two-way dialogue processes with Southern stakeholders exposes NGOs to criticism if they claim to be speaking and acting in aid of the South.