Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) have become an essential tool for sustainable
development The use of ICTs in various sectors of the
economy has brought about significant improvements in
the quality of life, economic growth, and environmental
sustainability. This paper proposes that using ICTs to
drive sustainable development offers more benefits than
negative consequences although acknowledging that like
all successful projects, proper and efficient utilization of
methods are important to success. Therefore, when
advancing sustainable development, ICTs must be
regarded as a tool used appropriately to achieve desirable
outcomes. This paper presents a socio-economic
perspective, subjective to developing economies realities,
to this discourse. The paper discusses various views and
conceptual frameworks put forward in the discussion of
roles of ICTs in sustainable development. An optimistic
and a pessimistic view of ICT with regard to
sustainability, the three-pillar approach to sustainable
development, the three-level approach to ICT impacts,
the claim of human, social and ecological compatibility of
ICT and the plain use of ICT for development. The paper
shows that each of these approaches has its problems and
limitations and conclude with formulating the challenges
of finding an analytical approach which will effectively
support decision-makers in using ICT in the service of
sustainable development. In doing this, this paper
examines the role of ICTs in sustainable development, the
benefits and challenges of using ICTs, and the policy
implications for developing countries.
Keywords :
ICTs; Sustainable Development; Emerging Economies;