The role of information technology in humanitarian development is considered in this interview with Ed Happ. Ed describes his experience as Chief Information Officer for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, founding Chair of NetHope and now as an Executive Fellow at the University of Michigan.
Ed discusses the increasing role of information technology in the work of humanitarian development focused Non Governmental Organisations, how it impacts disaster relief and the ongoing work of their longer term development activities. The effects of the digital divide, the role of mobile devices and the privacy concerns that exist are explained and Ed offers advice to those wishing to contribute to humanitarian development work.
Edward G. Happ is an Executive Fellow at the University of Michigan School of Information, where he is teaching and conducting research. He is also the Co-founder, Leadership Fellow and former Chairman of NetHope, a U.S. based consortium of 50+ leading international relief, development and conservation nonprofits focused on information and communications technology (ICT) and collaboration.
He recently retired as the Global CIO of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Impact of Information Systems on Society 