Amy Smith is interviewed by Voice Of America

Amy Smith joins Talk2America Online Discussion on Low Tech Solutions moderated by Erin Brummet to talk about how inventors are finding new ways to get things done cheaper, faster and cleaner to fit local needs and customs.

Amy talks about appropriate technologies:

The definition of appropriate technology has changed over the years. But now I take it to mean a technology that fits within the environment where it's intended to be used and that's in terms of infrastructure, supply chain, available resources and human capacity.

and what she's focusing right now as a key aspect of her work:

the thing I'm most interested in now is the idea of developing problem-solving capacity and technology design capabilities within the communities where we're working, so that community members become the creators of technology and are therefore better able to solve problems that arise or issues that they face in their daily lives. One of the things that we're trying to work on is training programs which empower people to become more active creators of technology.

To learn more, read the full transcript of the dicussion at Voice Of America