Those documents made prominent the role of information and communication technologies in poverty reduction, economic development and achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Although the trends are positive; five years later and halfway to 2015, we are well short of having ICTs impact the Millennium Development Goals as intended.

Aside from slow regulatory reforms; most developing countries do not have capital markets for financing investment in applications used for managing information, or for hardware and devices.  There is also the problem of financing costs associated with training qualified technicians.

Some direct benefits from using ICTs are:

• A more accountable and efficient government that empowers citizens
• Equitable access to local and global markets for goods and services
• Access to business and market information
• Convenient and secure banking transactions
• Convenient and secure business transactions
• Cost effective, efficient and secure dissemination of documents electronically
• Sustainable production and consumption patterns
• Training, certification and degrees for people outside traditional learning networks
• Health-care delivery for communities with shortages of doctors, nurses and paramedics

In addition to mobilizing human, financial, and other resources needed for financing economic development within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals, and WSIS Declaration of Principals and Plan of Action; VillageDirect.Org forums and blogs allow members to connect and increase their understanding of the benefits of using information and communications technologies, governance, leadership, industry, culture, business and many other topics.

Informal learning is provided for by members initiating and engaging each other with slides, audio, video, and other tools as part of their content and presentations. Case studies, self study, and do-it-yourself kits are available through hot links and downloads.

VillageDirect.Org has strategic partnerships with experts, trainers and institutions to provide coaching, training, certification and degree programs.

VillageDirect.Org provides web-based applications utilizing cloud computing technologies for all your business and internet needs; eliminating costs for technicians with expertise in managing the technologies involved. These applications don't care what kind of hardware or operating systems you have. This eliminates the high costs of investing in rapidly changing technologies.

All you need to access these applications are a web browser and internet connection. There is no need to invest in new hardware as technology changes.  No software to download; no installation or configuration hassles to deal with; and no complex upgrades.
 

Web-Hosting 

Yoursite@VillageDirect.Org enables organizations, small-to-medium-sized businesses and independent professionals to immediately put their best foot forward with a robust and effective online presence that increases business opportunities, accelerates brand recognition and converts visitors into repeat customers.

With a set of elegant designs, comprehensive branding options and interactive features. Yoursite@VillageDirect.Org provides a one-stop solution for creating stylish and engaging Web sites without any technical or artistic expertise necessary.  Learn more... 

eCommerce Solutions 

Yoursite@VillageDirect.Org is eCommerce enabled. Easily integrate shopping cart and buy now buttons to sell downloads and tangible goods from your website. Create and manage an affiliate program for all of your products and services. Learn more... 

Internet TV & Online Video 

As a Brightcove Solutions Partner,  VillageDirect.Org offers Brightcove on-demand online video platform for publishing and distributing online video. With Brightcove, you'll be able to deliver user experiences that deeply integrate video with the rest of your content, adapt to a viewer's connection speed, and provide high-quality and long-form content that increases the amount of time viewers spend on your site. Learn more...

eBusiness Solutions 

As an Alliance Partner of Zoho, VillageDirect.Org offers a comprehensive suite of award-winning on-line business applications that includes electronic document management; customer relationship management (CRM) that aligns your sales and marketing by integrating sales with campaigns, online lead generation, sales pipeline, and forecasts; project management; invoicing; HR; online meetings; web conferencing; and remote assistance.

Customers use Zoho to run their business processes, manage their information and be more productive while at the office or on the go, without having to worry about expensive or outdated hardware or software. Learn more... 

VillageDirect.Org has been designed for members to leverage international agreements, development programs, market opportunities and community objectives for creating economic value. Access to additional networks and contacts are provided through VillageDirect.Org groups on LinkedIn and Xing.   

Members of VillageDirect.Org and its groups are committed to the Millennium Development Goals and WSIS Declaration of Principal and Plan of Action.  They are accustomed to the opportunities available from community economic development projects.

In addition to congenial social networking skills and posting quality content in the forums; the basis of VillageDirect.Org codes of ethics provides a solid foundation for you to build the long term relationships needed to find clients, partners, supporters and investors. Coaching is available for using VillageDirect.Org in conjunction with other social networks to accomplish your goals.