Interaction: American Council for Voluntary International Action
Date Initiated: March 2002

In March 2002, the Markle Foundation initiatiated a two year collaboration with InterAction to expand nongovernmental organizations' (NGOs) use of information and communications technologies (ICT) to facilitate their humanitarian relief and development work InterAction also worked in partnershipwith Markle in its related endeavors. This effort built on InterAction's existing ICT Network, helping members to share best practices, create new models, and develop partnerships to help address the needs of developing nations. The alliance focused on three areas:

1. InterAction, an alliance of 160 NGOs involved in international humanitarian relief and development work, expanded its plans to serve as a solutions exchange and incubator of new ICT solutions. InterAction identified and supported innovative applications of ICT as a tool to further international development objectives.

2. InterAction took part in the Global Digital Opportunity Initiative, a program which Markle and the United Nations Development Programme launched in November 2002 to assist developing nations in their use of ICT for improved health, better education, and other development objectives. InterAction also participated in Markle's Universal Participation program, which aimed to assist stakeholders from developing nations in participating in global ICT decision-making bodies.

3. InterAction worked with its member non-profits to enunciate the valuable role they play in addressing the digital divide and in innovating the use of ICT for international development.