Abstract

BARON, Luis Fernando  and  GOMEZ, Ricardo. From Infrastructure to Social Appropriation: An Overview of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Policies in Colombia. Signo pensam. [online]. 2012, vol.31, n.61, pp.38-55. ISSN 0120-4823.

This article presents an overview of national policies related to public access to information and communication technologies (ICT) in Colombia. Public access to ICT through libraries, telecentres and cybercafés can be a powerful tool to bridge the digital divide and to contribute to social and political equity and change. While the country was one of pioneers of the region in regard to ICT policy and has exhibited an unusual degree of public consultation, citizen participation and emphasis on social issues beyond basic infrastructure and connectivity, many challenges remain to ensure equitable access and effective social appropriation of ICT to contribute to human development in the country. By bringing together the trajectory and contributions of government policies and social organizations in the country, this article presents a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the public policy environment in Colombia, and how this is enabling (or hindering) the use of ICT for human development and social change.

Keywords : ICT; Libraries; Telecentres; Cybercafés; Information and communications technologies; Public policy; Digital divide; Public space; Social change; Colombia.

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