A participatory service learning process for FOSS-based solidarity projects

Abstract

Software and information and communication technologies (ICT) can be key elements for social development, especially in developing countries. Projects on ICT for development (ICT4D) are an important tool to incorporate positive changes in these communities. However, as with other technologies, ICT and particularly software supporting social processes have a huge potential for change, and for replication to many of these communities, but also a huge potential for disruption. From experience in over 50 ICT4D projects, we have learned how important it is to design and implement an open and participatory process based on the service learning (SL) concept, where different forms of learning, service and free and open source software (FOSS) become natural and interdependent parts of social development. The lessons learned help us in designing sustainable processes for positive change supported by FOSS that can be appropriated by indigenous communities, contributing to their social development and social justice.