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If you would like to help the developing world as a volunteer but not have to travel, UNV also has an online volunteering service through NetAid. Online assignments are both "techie" (build a web site, build a database, trouble-shoot tech issues) and non "techie" (translate a document from one language to another, design a logo, mentor a student, write an article, etc.).

The United Nations Information Technology Service (UNITeS), an initiative managed by (UN Volunteers, has placed and supported more than 150 volunteers in developing countries doing just this kind of service, and more. Hope they can get together with the Peace Corps and leverage resources even more. And as someone mentioned. UNV manages the (NetAid Online Volunteering service, which allows online volunteers to provide service to organizations serving developing countries.

The argument that "people need rice, not computers" so misses the point. People used to say the same thing about education -- why are you teaching women and children to read when they are hungry? Because one of the PROVEN ways to address poverty in the long term is education. The more educated a community, the better position its members are in to learn about more successful ways to grow crops, trade merchandise, raise children... and remember, people in developing countries are asking for computers and the Internet. The value is already being seen in developing countries, as women's cooperatives find better markets for their crafts, farmers find cheaper organic pesticides and other information, local citizens communicate their community needs with the government... Addressing the Digital Divide makes a real difference in the quality of life for people in developing countries. The United Nations recognizes this and is employing several programs that are already showing results, UNITeS among them (it was mentioned in the article, and was a topic recently on Slashdot).

Hopefully this will provide you all with a chance to contribute and help tackle the problems/tasks Kofi Annan stated:
If all countries are to benefit, we need more and better strategic public-private partnerships. That is one of the primary functions of the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force, which brings together CEOs, government officials, nongovernmental organizations, technical experts and other information industry leaders.

if he can't READ that they are already doing this:
http://www.unites.org/html/unites/faq.htm#online
http://www.netaid.org/OV/
http://www.unites.org/html/news/n220502.htm

if he can't READ that they are already doing this:
http://www.unites.org/html/unites/faq.htm#online
http://www.netaid.org/OV/
http://www.unites.org/html/news/n220502.htm

You wrote that "but as nice as it sounds to bring the internet in parts of the world who don't have it I don't quite see the sense in it when at the same time thousands of people die everyday."

People in developing countries WANT access to Information Communications Technologies (ICT). They want Internet access. Farmers want to be able to track weather patterns and find local organic materials that can help them fight pests and look at what their crops are selling for in big cities so that they can better negotiate with the middlemen. Women want access to healthcare information and career information and ways to preserve the traditions of their culture. Children want access to education and career information and tools that will help them in their lives. The argument, "They need food, not...." was used against education programs in poor communities for a long time, and it took a long time to show that education had an impact on extreme poverty (and it does -- a very positive one).

There is lots and lots of information about ICT volunteering programs abroad, the tools that these volunteers find useful, and why ICT volunteers are so important in addressing problems in developing communities at:
www.unites.org.

Closer to home is an opportunity to work for your living with an amazing organizaion. While not strictly volunteering, it would definitly be a paycut. Habitat for Humanity does more to promote cross cultural peace than any other organization that I know of. Nothing breaks down barriers more than providing decent living arrangements for total strangers. The Job Opportunities page currently lists these current technical positions:

• 
  
• Youth Programs Coordinator
  PS 1415
  This position is responsible for assisting the Youth Programs Officer in supporting Habitat for Humanity affiliates and campus chapters in developing age-appropriate activities for youth ages 5-16. It involves developing resources and publications related to youth programs, facilitating workshops at Habitat regional conferences, responding to inquiries related to youth, and contributing to HFHI publications. The qualified applicant must have excellent writing and public speaking skills, be self-directed, Microsoft Office familiarity, strong interpersonal skills, experience with the programmatic aspect of a community service organization, and a Bachelorfs degree in a related field.
  
  Reconstruction Volunteers*
  Facilities Management
  Basic Volunteer
  Under the direction of the Property Manager, work with other volunteers in fixing, restoring, and furnishing HFHI housing to the accepted standard set by Operations. Repair corporate buildings as needed. Responsibilities and duties include: understanding safety precautions and utilizing them at all times; repairing broken plumbing fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens; painting houses, both interior and exterior; repairing/installing floors, walls, windows, hanging doors, and mirrors; light construction duties; and working independently to identify or replace defective mechanical equipment. The qualified applicant should have six months of related maintenance or construction experience, have the ability to work with various tools, both power and hand-held, be able to complete assigned duties in a timely manner, be able to work well with others and able to lift 75 lbs regularly.
  
  *At this time, the Americus/Sumter County Affiliate is no longer in need of Construction Volunteers, until further notice. However, we are very much in need of Reconstruction Volunteers.
  
  Application Technician - Habitrak
  PS #184
  Basic Volunteer Position
  This position is responsible for supporting Affiliate information systems that are sanctioned and distributed by HFHI, e.g., Habitrak and International Mortgage Tracking System. This position provides customer service and technical support for all HFHI Affiliates using these products. As well, this position receives questions and requests via phone and e-mail and responds in appropriate manner; tracks problems and recommends temporary workarounds and long-term fixes; works with customers, Program and Project managers to analyze information needs and existing systems; assists in design, implementation and enhancement of new and existing programs; documents all problems, resolutions and procedures per HFHI guidelines; assists in customer training; and maintains and enhances good customer relations. The position is also responsible for participating in the specifications and scheduling of product enhancements, testing and implementation. This position exercises a leadership role in promoting awareness of Affiliate information product needs. Relevant experience in software development, programming, or as a systems/business analyst; expertise in MS Office products, MS Visual Basic, MS Access; and customer service, training experience, and technical proficiency in SQL or major RDBMS preferred. This position performs other related duties as assigned. The qualified applicant will have strong analytical and technical skills and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. As well, the qualified applicant would have a Bachelorfs degree from an accredited institution. A degree in Business or Computer Science preferred. Qualifying experience may be substituted for the Education requirement on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two (2) years.
  
  
• #0974 Client Server Analyst Programmer
  Posting Period 11/09/01 - 12/15/01
  Projected hire date 01/07/02 or before
  Position located in Americus, GA.
  This position functions as the primary application support for the International Mortgage Tracking System (IMTS). IMTS is an automated business management application for HFH international affiliates written in Visual Basic using current market tools such as Crystal Reports; ensures efficient information processing, data integrity, and delivery of useful accurate information to the users; Visual Basic programming and development along with clear communication with both technical and business personnel are the key duties for this position along with demonstrating sound knowledge of business processes and systems support requirements. Must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience with at least ten semester hours in any combination of Business, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Management Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field and three years relevant work experience. Must also have three years experience in information technologies; practical working knowledge of IBM PC computers, MS Office products, and MS NT workstation; programming and systems analysis experience; business analysis and RDBMS experience; practical working experience with MS Access, FileMaker Pro, Crystal Reports, SQL server, Visual Basic and ASP.
  ($31,450)
  
  
• And of course they can always use vulunteers at your local field office. Look them up in your phone book and offer your services.
  
  

I think this also underscores the point that many organizations need your help and have a hard time recruiting people at reduced pay. Check out your favorite organization and see what sort of technical positions they have posted. If you want to gain more than a paycheck out of your work, then they may be able to use you.

Here are some other opportunities offered through the United nations:

United Nations Information Technology Services. From thier website: In his Millennium Report, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stressed the importance for developing countries to benefit from the opportunities emerging from the digital revolution. He proposed the creation of a global volunteer programme aimed at bridging the digital divide between industrialized and developing countries. UNITeS, the United Nations Information Technology Service, is an initiative that channels the creative energies, skills and solidarity of volunteers around the world to collaborate with people in the South to improve their capacity to make practical use of information and communications technologies (ICT). In key fields like health, education, income generation, gender equity, environment or humanitarian aid, volunteers working under the UNITeS programme are striving to bridge the digital divide, one person at a time. The United Nations Volunteers programme is coordinating this new, UN ICT volunteer initiative.

The United Nations Volunteers offer opportunities locally and abroad.

"With scarce resources available for very basic development needs, such as water and sanitation, education, food security, income generation, many people wonder why bother to provide these new technologies, and whether they are not unnecessary luxuries in many contexts. It is not an 'either-or' scenario anymore, as these technologies are nothing more than advanced information tools to be used if/when it is beneficial. Among a poor farmer's first priorities is to get sufficient food for his family; perhaps ICTs can help him find better prices for his produce, enabling him to buy more (and higher quality) food. People from development countries are best placed to know when and whether ICTs are appropriate for them. Much will depend on the value they attach to information. Hardly anyone will question the value of basic education. Yet reading and writing are, at their core, skills to access and produce information. The issue of ICTs and the digital divide is ultimately about greater choices, as is human development." United Nations Information Technology Service UNITeS. Placing ICT volunteers in developing countries, including Africa -- and making a difference!

Please check out United Nations Information Technology Service, which sends volunteers in ICT to developing countries, including Africa. And note this excerpt from the site: With scarce resources available for very basic development needs, such as water and sanitation, education, food security, income generation, many people wonder why bother to provide these new technologies, and whether they are not unnecessary luxuries in many contexts. It is not an "either-or" scenario anymore, as these technologies are nothing more than advanced information tools to be used if/when it is beneficial. Among a poor farmer's first priorities is to get sufficient food for his family; perhaps ICTs can help him find better prices for his produce, enabling him to buy more (and higher quality) food. People from development countries are best placed to know when and whether ICTs are appropriate for them. Much will depend on the value they attach to information. Hardly anyone will question the value of basic education. Yet reading and writing are, at their core, skills to access and produce information. The issue of ICTs and the digital divide is ultimately about greater choices, as is human development.

I just posted on this list about the United Nations Information Technology Service (UNITeS), a global volunteering program that places high tech volunteers in developing countries, including Africa. I won't repeat myself now, but do check out that later post or visit the UNITeS web site. UNITeS may be the right volunteer program for you.