February’s #biometricchat to Discuss Using Biometrics for Development
When: February 21, 2013 11:00 am EST, 8:00 am PST, 16:00 pm BST, 17:00 pm (CEST), 23:00 pm (SGT), 0:00 (JST)
Where: tweetchat.com (hashtag #biometricchat)
What: Tweet chat on the use of biometric identification in developing countries to help bridge the identity gap
Topics: How biometric identification helps to promote development, risks and challenges of using biometrics, emerging trends and their implications, and more.
Alan Gelb (aka @AlanHGelb) and Julia Clark (aka @juliamgclark) from the Center for Global Development recently published a working paper entitled “Identification for Development: The Biometrics Revolution” in which they examine the increased use of biometric identification in developing countries evaluating the advantages, limitations, and market conditions that can dictate deployment success or failure.
In their summary, they describe the paper as:
This paper surveys 160 cases where biometric identification has been used for economic, political, and social purposes in developing countries. About half of these cases have been supported by donors. Recognizing the need for more rigorous assessments and more open data on performance, the paper draws some conclusions about identification and development and the use of biometric technology. Some cases suggest large returns to its use, with potential gains in inclusion, efficiency, and governance. In others, costly technology has been ineffective or, combined with the formalization of identity, has increased the risk of exclusion.
One primary conclusion is that identification should be considered as a component of development policy, rather than being seen as just a cost on a program-by-program basis. Within such a strategic framework, countries and donors can work to close the identification gap, and in the process improve both inclusion and the efficiency of many programs.
Join us as we discuss Alan and Julia’s research and conclusions and ask them to look ahead and share their predictions on the future direction of biometric identification, especially as it applies to third world development.
Just in case you are interested in participating but are new to Tweet chats, please read this post which outlines the instructions and procedures. We hope that you will join us for the discussion on biometrics for development, and please help us to spread the word among your colleagues and friends.
Do you have any questions about biometrics and development that you would like to ask Alan or Julia? Just drop us an email at marketing@m2sys.com and we will try and include them in the chat.
Thanks, and hope to see you next Thursday, February the 21st at 11 a.m. EDT for the next #biometricchat tweet chat!
