Global: What did the WSIS achieve for ICTs and Development?

Richard Heeks from the University of Manchester reflects on the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) which was held in Tunis on 16-18 November 2005. The WSIS focused on the usual suspects: financing, Internet governance, human rights and the $100 laptop. But according to Heeks, these took the spotlight away from the crucial issues such as: The IT Sector; Resources for Action; Independent Research and; BIG new ideas. These were absent from the debate and should be pushed to centre stage. However, he still says: "I hope there are similar events in future. It was a unique, invigorating experience. And - whatever the missing elements - it was a rare opportunity for thousands to focus on, and learn more about, that central transformative force in development: technology."