Subject: role of technology in development
From: Amy Cogan (amy@elcat1.osh.su)
Date: Thu Apr 15 1999 - 06:43:03 EDT
Dear fellow Ferghana Valley discussion list members:
I am glad to see so many others share my fascination with this region. I
hope this forum will be interesting and useful for everyone. To continue
with the introductions -
After graduating from college with a degree in Economics (and minor in
Russian), I worked as a business analyst in the U.S. in the areas of
project management and financial management. After 3 years, I realized
that there was an exciting world beyond my cubicle walls that I was missing
out on, so I joined the Peace Corps. . .
For the past year, I have been working with the Osh Farm Credit
Association, a non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides
loans for up to a year for agricultural-related projects in 6 rayons of
the Osh Oblast.
Much of my work has been with automating operations previously done
manually and using computers to work more efficiently and effectively.
This has raised many questions for me about the role of technology in
development. I am very interested to hear the opinions of the more
experienced members of this group and especially the local members.
Specifically:
1. What is the prognosis for 5, 10, 20 years from now when advances in
technology and growth skyrocket in "developed" countries? What are the
consequences of the widening gap between rich and poor countries?
2. On a similar note, what are the consequences of the widening gap within
these countries. Every time I go to Bishkek, I realize how much Osh is
lagging. The Ferghana Valley may be mainly an agricultural region,
but is it falling too far behind Bishkek and Tashkent? Clearly, the
villages need clean running water before their schools need the Internet,
but what are the prospects/opportunities for young people outside of the
capitals?
3. Is this an area where development strategies differ in the former
Soviet Union from other countries? Although living standards are low, the
population is generally well-educated. Is this an area of opportunity?
I look forward to the discussion on this and the other proposed topics.
Amy Cogan
Peace Corps Volunteer
Osh, Kyrgyzstan
amy@elcat.osh.su
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