Title: UNDP ICT for Development in Asia Pacific:
1UNDP ICT for Development in Asia
Pacific Programme Officers/ Focal
Points Workshop 9-13 December 2002, Kuala
Lumpur A PERSPECTIVE ON E-GOVERNMENT AND
E-GOVERNANCE
Shahid Akhtar Programme Co-ordinator UNDP
Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme
2e-GOVERNANCE a definition
- e-Governance involves the transformation of
processes resulting from the continual and
exponential introduction of more advanced digital
technologies into society. - e-Governance focuses on how these new
technologies can be used to strengthen the
public's voice as a force to reshape the
democratic processes, and refocus the management,
structure, and oversight of government to better
serve the public interest. - Source The National Academy of Public
Administration (USA)
3e-GOVERNANCEOUTCOMES
- New concepts of citizenship, in terms of needs
and responsibilities allowing citizens to
communicate with government - Participating in the governments policy and
decision-making processes - Mobilizing resources
- Gauging responses to decisions
- Meeting the true needs and welfare of the
citizens - Enables new opportunities for development of new
concepts of citizenship, rules for organizing,
and regulating the democratic process
4e-GOVERNANCEPRINCIPLES
- New forms of governance rely on better
information, consultation, and public
participation as key elements for engaging
citizens in policy-making, thereby tapping new
sources of ideas, information, and resources when
making decisions. - Criteria for good governance universally accepted
to be fully applied within each and every sphere
of government and governance include - Transparency and Openness
- Participation
- Accountability
- Effectiveness
- Coherence
- Regulatory frameworks
5e-GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORKSTRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION
PRE-REQUISITES
Source Understanding e-Governance for Development
6e-GOVERNMENT a definition
- Use of ICT to promote more efficient and
effective government - Facilitate more accessible government services
- Allow greater public access to information, and
make government more accountable to citizens.
e-Government involves delivering services via the
Internet, telephone, community centers
(self-service or facilitated by others), wireless
devices or other communications systems. Source
Roadmap for e-Government in the Development
World www.pacificcouncil.org/pdfs/e-gov.paper.f.pd
f
7Success/Failure Factors
8e-GOVERNMENT10 QUESTIONS
Source Roadmap for e-Government in the
Development World www.pacificcouncil.org/pdfs/e-go
v.paper.f.pdf
- Why are we pursuing e-government?
- Do we have a clear vision and priorities for
e-government? - What kind of e-government are we ready for?
- Is there enough political will to lead the
e-government effort? - Are we selecting e-government projects in the
best way? - How should we plan and manage e-government
projects? - How will we overcome resistance from within the
government? - How will we measure and communicate progress?
How will we know if we are failing? - What should our relationship be with the private
sector? - How can e-government improve citizen
participation in public affairs?
9e-GOVERNMENTREADINESS
Source Roadmap for e-Government in the
Development World www.pacificcouncil.org/pdfs/e-go
v.paper.f.pdf
- Readiness for e-government is not only a
governmental issue - Readiness starts with political will
- Readiness also rests on information policy
- Other key factors for readiness
- Telecommunications Infrastructure
- Current connectivity and ICT usage by government
- Human capacity with government
- Existing and expected budgetary resources
- E-business climate
- Officials readiness to change
10AGENDA FOR ACTIONPRE-REQUISITES
- Coherence of policies matters
- An explicit focus on using ICT in pursuit of
developmental goals - A number of inter-related factors should be
addressed to maximize the benefits of ICT for
development - Development should be country driven,
participatory, comprehensive, and results
oriented - To ensure ownership and sustainability, the
development community should created space for
partnerships.
11CONCLUSIONBENEFITS AND POLICY ADVANTAGE
- To increase cost-effectiveness of government
services - To increase efficiency and productivity of
government works - To encourage e-Participation to enhance
transparency and accountability of the decision
making process - To speed up government works and transactions
- To distribute government information on demand
- To establish e-Citizen Center (one-stop public
service) - To play a leading role to promote e-Commerce
- To promote e-Democracy
12CONCLUSIONPOLICY FOCUS AREAS FOR GOVERNMENTS