UNDP ICT for Development in Asia Pacific:

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UNDP 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
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e-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)

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e-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

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e-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

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e-GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORKSTRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION
PRE-REQUISITES
Source Understanding e-Governance for Development
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e-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
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Success/Failure Factors
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e-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?

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e-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

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AGENDA 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.

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CONCLUSIONBENEFITS 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

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CONCLUSIONPOLICY FOCUS AREAS FOR GOVERNMENTS