ICT4D in Samoa: The encounter of offline local traditions and online global trends

From 2005, 12 telecentres were implemented in the rural villages of Samoa as part of the national information and communication technology (ICT) strategy for development. The aim for the telecentres is to ensure the people of Samoa can be connected locally and globally. The telecentres provide access to ICT tools in villages where many have never seen a computer before. For the most, villagers take pride in the telecentre, praising the convenience of its services to the local people. However, the newly provided ICT tools also bring about some concerns, especially having access to the internet. Local villagers are now exposed to a vast amount of information whereby access is practically unlimited. While we cannot discount the fact that the internet makes available useful information, the question of how and to what extent this computer-mediated information may affect their traditions deserve some attention. Will local villagers use it to build up their society or will it compromise their cultural values? This research, which adopts an interpretive approach, focuses on the influence of telecentres on three rural villages in Samoa. The findings so far provide an insight into the encounter between the global environment and the local values, customs and beliefs of Samoans.