By Keith Yeomans

Computers, the internet, radio, telephones, television and video can all help the poor in developing countries generate income, learn skills, share better information about health and rights, gain more control over their lives and make their voices heard more widely.

The technology can also help manage their environment more effectively and sustainably and help them avoid the worst effects of famine and natural disasters.

This can only happen, though, if poor people have access to this technology at a price they can afford, and know how to use it.

But this requires effort, careful planning and good management.

Technology's impact

If you are working in development you are probably having to decide how best to use computers, the internet, telephones or broadcasting to achieve your aims and those of the people with whom you work.

You might be sceptical about the technology's value in situations where people are starving or homeless and without the power, connections and skills to use it.

Either way, we can no longer ignore it.

If you are simply interested in development issues, you might like to find out more about technology's impact in a fast-changing world.

Most development agencies are now supporting the use of information and communication technologies in their work.

If you would like to know more visit the Department for International Development website for a list of organisations active in this field.

Keith Yeomans is an information and communications technologies adviser to the Department for International Development.