I’d like to start by welcoming you to the new IHF blog. Please check back often as we discuss some of the most pressing global issues we face and, more importantly, some successes the IHF (and some other groups) have had in addressing them.
Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate a number of technologies aimed at solving the problems of the developing world. These range from our very own smokeless stove program to complex water purification, to laptops for children, to pharmaceutical safety, to micro-enterprise initiatives. All of this talk of technology got me thinking.
We’ve found that technical solutions abound (if you look hard enough). This may sound odd as most global homes don’t have electricity or even access to clean water not to mention the internet or a phone line. But the engineering solutions to these measures of ‘development’ exist. Many organizations have solutions for solar power, for village-level grids, for water purification, and information distribution. So why are we still faced with the immense burden of disease posed by indoor air pollution and dirty water?
In my opinion, the deployment of technologies is where the innovation is needed. We’ve already spent countless dollars and hours developing solutions – well, partial solutions. But what good is a life-changing stove if it isn’t installed in a village home? Collaborative development, community-based implementation, and grass-roots ownership are key not only to the design of novel solutions, but also to the use, adoption, acceptance, and maintenance of long-term changes. Its time to move technologies out of the labs. I think we need far less effort spent on innovating and far more spent on innovative deployment. What do you think?
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