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.

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take action

Advent Appeal 2008 Please send a message of support to kids this Advent at a special school run by a CAFOD partner

Shine a light in the darkness Please sign our petition calling on the world's largest mining company to listen to communities in the Philippines worried about the effect mining will have on their land - plus send a personal message of solidarity to the people of Macambol

Buy a World Gift Browse our new range of alternative gifts that act as two presents in one – something for you to give to friends or a relative, while the real gift changes the life of someone living in poverty