Call for papers: Anti-Poverty: Information Technology for Social and Human Networks Against Poverty

Call for papers: Anti-Poverty: Information Technology for Social and Human Networks Against Poverty

A special issue of International Journal of Social and Humanistic Computing

Our civilized world very often seems to close its eyes to real problems. It is not just a question of postponing actions in the future, but also a demonstration of poor reflective mechanisms. On the other hand, a vast humanistic network against poverty, consisting of volunteers, inspired minds and organisations with social responsibility, has an excellent performance. Worldwide action focuses on aspects of poverty, analyses various underlying factors and recommends actions while focusing its full capacities on anti-poverty visions.

This special issue promotes the role of the IT as a key enabler of anti-poverty actions. The following are the four pillars of the editing strategy:

1. Discussion of the key agenda of poverty in our civilized world
2. Discussion of the key reflective actions for anti-poverty, including policies, government regulations, community programmes, efficient management of resources, involvement, etc
3. Discussion of the role of information technology as key enabler of anti-poverty initiatives worldwide.
4. Sound Propositions for things we must do.

The special issue aims at helping communication and dissemination of the vision of a better world based on education. The issue is intended to initiate a dialogue between the governments and the research community based on a well-defined context. This special issue aims to cover the international perspective, i.e. not only discussions on approaches in advanced economies but also in Africa, and other regions of world where poverty eliminates the access to education and schools.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Education against poverty and programmes of poverty reduction through human development
• Modern technologies for employment creation and poverty reduction
• Facilitating access for poor populations to literacy programmes, basic education and vocational training
• Smart community projects
• Agro-food production activities and IT
• Management of resources against poverty
• International IT-enabled networks of support against poverty
• Tele-working
• Focus surveys
• Human and social networks
• Prototypes and development of information systems focused on poverty reduction
• Non-governmental organisations' strategic plans and actions
• Requirements analysis for information technology infrastructures in rural areas, required for poverty reduction
• Policies and strategies against poverty through ICTs
• Interfaces between the information needs of the poor and ICT capabilities
• ICT infrastructures for the delivery of basic services including education and health for the poor in the networked economy
• Analysis of social impact of community programmes
• ICT training for the rural poor - information skills development strategies for poor youth to ensure that tomorrow's poor can compete effectively in an integrated market
• Women's access to ICT-enabled help, promoting their participation in democracy, governance, and fight against poverty

Important Dates

1-2 Page Abstract: 15 September 2007
Submission of manuscripts: 15 October 2007
Notification to authors: 15 November 2007
Final versions due: 15 February 2008