Analytical services in relating communications technology to development

The project responds to the FY70 Foreign Assistance Act, Section 220, "Progress for Peaceful Communications," which calls for greater use of educational technology and mass communications for development. An educational policy organization will implement the project"s three components: R&D priorities; uses of national communication systems; and policy studies on implementation strategies. The project will produce guidelines for designing and initiating research programs on the use of communications and educational technologies in LDC environments. Problems of software, hardware, and systems management will be addressed, resulting in the formulation of research strategies and specific research projects. These guidelines will be usable not only by A.I.D., but also by other development agencies and private research institutions. The project will also examine how national mass communications systems can be used to promote social development. Research will examine educational television via communications satellites, as well as via other transmission systems (e.g., ground-based microwave systems) and alternative uses of radio and other transmission systems. At least three kinds of questions will be examined in detail: (1) the social and cost effectiveness of alternative uses of communications systems; (2) ways of optimizing the social and educational utility of satellites and other expensive mass communications systems; and (3) the key policy issues likely affect the use of satellite and other communications systems during the 1970-75 period. Finally, in tandem with the activities described above, the project will conduct policy studies to help A.I.D. develop strategies and programs for applying communications technologies to development purposes in such areas as informal education, agriculture, population, nutrition, etc.