Pan Asia Networking Programme of the International Development Research Centre

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is a public corporation created by the Parliament of Canada in 1970 to help developing countries use science and technology to find practical, long-term solutions to the social, economic and environmental problems they face. Support is directed towards developing an indigenous research capacity to sustain policies and technologies developing countries need to build healthier, more equitable and more prosperous societies. IDRC's Pan Asia Networking (PAN) Programme promotes socially responsible ICT application and innovation in developing countries, especially for deprived communities, through participatory and applied research in Asia. PAN examines the impact of ICT project interventions on people, livelihood, culture and gender and conducts research into how they impact on the economy and society as a whole with policy-relevant studies.