Editing Development communication (section)

===== Information and communication technologies for development =====
In the Information Age, technological growth is a crucial driving force behind economic progress, citizen engagement and job creation. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are shaping many aspects of the world's economies, governments and societies. Developing countries, too, recognize the importance of engaging various stakeholders to harness the transformative power of ICTs to provide more efficient services, catalyze economic development and strengthen social networks. When done properly and implemented effectively, ICT infrastructure investment and policy reform can empower poverty reduction and shared prosperity.

The World Bank Group's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector strategy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/07/25/transform-innovate-connect-strategy-ict|title=Transform, Innovate, and Connect: A New Strategy for Information and Communication Technology|date=2012-07-25}}</ref> which was adopted in 2012, intends to help developing countries make use of the potential of ICTs to improve the delivery of public services; drive innovations and productivity gains; and improve competitiveness. Under the strategy, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) focus on three priorities: (1) ''Transformation'', by making developments more open and accountable and improving service delivery; (2) ''Connectivity'', by scaling up affordable access to broadband including for women, disabled citizens, disadvantaged communities and people living in remote and rural areas; and (3) ''Innovation'', by developing competitive IT-based industries and fostering ICT innovation with a focus on job creation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/ict/overview#1|title=Information & Communication Technologies Overview|website=worldbank.org|access-date=2016-03-21}}</ref>

Nascent technologies, such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, are also set to reshape the development landscape. The United Nations, through its Virtual Reality Series Project, has tapped virtual reality to build platforms for advocacy, awareness, and fundraising.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bxu2GOkj6qbRbTlVVnBXZXkwR1E/view|title=Virtual Reality Series|access-date=2017-04-27}}</ref> Its VR production titled [[Clouds over Sidra]] earned accolades for shedding light on the conditions of some 84,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan's Za'atari camp. HTC, developer of the Vive VR system, also supports the UN [[Sustainable Development Goals]] through its "VR for Impact" program, which seeks to "create a pathway to global peace and prosperity together".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vrforimpact.com/|title=VR for Impact|website=vrforimpact.com|access-date=2017-04-27}}</ref> In terms of policy implication, the immersive experience brought about by VR is expected "to elevate the voices of those who often do not have a say, bringing peoples' voices directly into the decision making process".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sdgactioncampaign.org/virtualreality/|title=Virtual Reality and Vulnerable Communities|website=sdgactioncampaign.org/|access-date=2017-04-27|archive-date=17 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817031204/https://sdgactioncampaign.org/virtualreality/}}</ref>