Cyprus and e Governance

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Cyprus-The role of E-Governance in a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation

By Andreas Maratheftis, Nueronic IT Consulting 1

t

Cyprus,

The role of

E-Governance

In a future Bi-communal,

Bi-zonal,

Federation.

By Andreas Maratheftis

Nueronic IT Consulting

2005


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1 Table of Contents

1 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... 22 Foreword ............................................................................................................................ 4

2.1 Why did I Choose this module & Learning ObjectivesError! Bookmark notdefined.

3 Prologue ............................................................................................................................. 54 Government and Governance ............................................................................................ 5

4.1 What is Government and e-Governance ................................................................. 54.1.1 Government ......................................................................................................... 54.1.2 E-Governance...................................................................................................... 6

5

Cyprus, the Current Situation ............................................................................................. 6

5.1 Why e-Governance .................................................................................................. 76 Case Studies ...................................................................................................................... 9

6.1 Great Britain-A strategy for the wired world ............................................................. 96.2 Canada Most connected Nation? ........................................................................ 106.3 Hong Kong ............................................................................................................. 116.4 Malaysia: Vision 2020 ............................................................................................ 126.5 Conclusion.............................................................................................................. 12

7 Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 137.1 Pre-requisites ......................................................................................................... 13

7.1.1 24/7 Services ..................................................................................................... 137.1.2 Usability ............................................................................................................. 13

7.1.2.1 Options ...................................................................................................... 137.1.3 Online Content ................................................................................................... 137.1.4 Learning and Training ........................................................................................ 137.1.5 Security .............................................................................................................. 147.1.6 Privacy and Confidentiality ................................................................................ 147.1.7 Public Awareness .............................................................................................. 147.1.8 Paperless Office................................................................................................. 147.1.9 IT Department .................................................................................................... 14

7.2 Projects and Initiatives ........................................................................................... 157.2.1 The Web ............................................................................................................ 15

7.2.1.1 Online Forms............................................................................................. 157.2.1.2 Access to all .............................................................................................. 157.2.1.3 Empowering the people ............................................................................ 167.2.1.4 Customisable web sites and services ....................................................... 16

7.2.2 Businesses......................................................................................................... 167.2.3 Government ....................................................................................................... 16


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7.2.4 Legislation.......................................................................................................... 167.3 RFID Identity Cards & Smart Cards....................................................................... 177.4 Health Systems ...................................................................................................... 177.5 Schools Online ....................................................................................................... 187.6 Biometric Passports ............................................................................................... 18

8 Deployment and Implementation challenges ................................................................... 199 Cyprus, E-Governance SWOT......................................................................................... 2010 Implementation ............................................................................................................. 2211 Review and Conclusion ................................................................................................ 23

11.1 Review.................................................................................................................... 2311.2 Conclusion.............................................................................................................. 24

12 Module Evaluation ..........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.13 Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 25

13.1 Abstracts from the Anan Plan ................................................................................ 2514 References.................................................................................................................... 27


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2 Foreword

The recent referendum in Cyprus on April 2004 brought the Cyprus problem closer to a

solution than ever before since the Turkish invasion and occupation in 1974.

With the advancement of technology, we have come to a point to wonder ,What is e-

governance?, how can technology empower democracy, how can technology empower

people in Government, and how can Government can utilize technology, to offer services to

its citizens. These, am hoping to apply in a scenario of a solved Cyprus problem, based on

the Secretary Generals Kofi Anan Plan (http://www.cyprus-un-plan.org/), of a bi-communal,

bi-zonal federation.

I had several discussions with members of the IT community in Cyprus (Cyprus Computer

Society), debating why there is currently no substantial use of technology in the Cyprus

Government, the reasons behind this, and any, if any, future plans in a united Cyprus. Basedon my conclusions, and based on comments like e-Governance in Cyprus is non-existent,

talking about e-Governance in Cyprus is like talking about Cyprus in NASA space programs,

I have decided to look into the matter, why is technology not used in Cyprus?, why the vision

of e-Governance is so far away, especially now that Cyprus is part of the EU?

With this report am hoping to make some


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3 Prologue

The aim and objective of this report is to investigate, how technology can be used in a

scenario of a solved Cyprus problem based on the context of bi-zonal, bi-communal

federation in terms of the Anan Plan.

Although this report does not have political content, it assumes that a possible future solution

of Cyprus may be based upon the criteria and factors set in the UNs Secretary General, Mr

Kofi Anna plan for the unification of Cyprus. Despite the fact that the Anan Plan was reject

by the Greek-Cypriots in April 2004, and accepted by the Turkish-Cypriots, the Cyprus

problem was very close to a solution more than ever before and I believe that if eventually a

solution to the problem is found it will be based on the criteria set in the UN plan.

Moreover, this report will no mention or deal with the Cyprus-Greece-Turkey, history which

goes back as far as 400 years ago, or the hostilities of 1963-4, or 1974.

The internet will be used extensively since the author is currently in the UK. Several attempts

have been made to contact the Cyprus Government for Information but failed. Thus a big part

of this report will be based on assumptions and estimations.

Through this report, I will try to examine the current technology and especially internet related

technologies and recommend ways of applying these to achieve electronic service delivery in

a future Cyprus Government.

4 Government and Governance

4.1 What is Government and e-Governance

4.1.1 Government

Government is the organization, which has the power to make and enforce laws and is the

system that administers the community of people in a specific territory. Todays, Governments

are elected by the people through the political parties that represent them. There are several

forms of Government including Democratic forms (Parliamentary system, Presidential

System).

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_forms_of_government)


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4.1.2 E-Governance

E-government is a form of e-business in governance and refers to the processes and

structures needed to deliver electronic services to the public (citizens and businesses),

collaborate with business partners and to conduct electronic transactions within an

organisational entity. (M, Backus,2001)

E-Governance is a concept in which Governments decentralize responsibilities and

processes and they start to use electronic means such as the Internet to offer Government

services electronically. E-Governance of course is not just a Government web site, but its

dynamic in the sense that the over the counter service will become redundant and forms,

information and other services will be provided to the citizens through electronic means 24/7.

(M, Backus,2001)

5 Cyprus, the Current Situation

Currently in the Republic of Cyprus(1) we have a Presidential Democracy in which the

legislative power of the Republic is exercised by the House of Representatives in all matters

(http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/cyphome/govhome.nsf/Main?OpenFrameSet)

Furthermore The term of office of the House of Representatives is five years. A general

election must be held on the second Sunday of the month immediately preceding the month

in which the term of office of the outgoing House expires. The outgoing House continues in

office until the newly elected House assumes office, but during this time the outgoing House

does not have the power to make any laws or to take any decision on any matter, except in

urgent and exceptional unforeseen circumstances

(http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/cyphome/govhome.nsf/Main?OpenFrameSet)

Following a constitutional amendment in 1985, the House has 80 seats - 56 for Greek

Cypriot and 24 for Turkish Cypriot Deputies - with Deputies elected by universal suffrage of

adults over the age of 18. Direct and secret ballots are held on the same day for both

communities. However, since 1964, Turkish Cypriot members have not attended the House,

and no elections have been held among the Turkish Cypriot community in accordance with

the Republic's constitution. Despite this anomaly, the House has kept vacant the seats

allocated to the Turkish Cypriot community. These seats remain at the disposal of Turkish

Cypriot Deputies should they be elected according to the constitutional

provisions.(http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/cyphome/govhome.nsf/Main?OpenFrameSet)

Currently in Cyprus there is no substantial e-Governance infrastructure. Although

Government web sites exists and are interlinked, there is no effective service delivery of

services electronically, not even in the local Government level.


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Based on my research I believe there are several reasons to justify the above:

The Government is still focused on meeting EU requirements, due to the recent

succession of Cyprus in the European Union.

A large amount of the Government budget is primarily aimed at the alignment of Cyprus

with the EU and on the defence fund, due to the ongoing Turkish occupation. The technophobe culture of Cyprus citizens.

Although the Cyprus Government is aiming in promoting the establishment of high

technology industry through the creation of incubators and a research and technological

development centers, based on the information found, and on the personal experience level

there are no services offered electronically to citizens.

(http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/cyphome/govhome.nsf/Main?OpenFrameSet).

In 2004, the UN secretary Mr Kofi Anan proposed plan for the settlement of the Cyprus

Problem. Although the plan was rejected by the people, the problem was really close to being

solved, thus I have decided to use the plan, as a basis for this report, and to examine in

general how would the could Government Services be delivered electronically to the bi-

communal community of a bi-zonal state.

Notes:

1. Since the Turkish invasion in 1974 the Turkish Cypriots of the self proclaimed "Turkish

Republic of Northern Cyprus are only recognised and supported by Turkey.

5.1 Why e-Governance

In this report e-Governance will be defined as the delivery of electronic Government services

to citizens, Government parties and business using the latest technologies available as well

as using technology to simplify governance in a united Cyprus.

So why would Cyprus need to use e-governance? Although from a political viewpoint

implementing e-Governance will take years of planning, it is vital for both communities to

understand that:

1. Electronic delivery of services is part of an EU requirements

2. Using technology to deliver services can bring down the barriers of language and

cultural differences

3. If used and designed correctly can be used by all people, 24/7, this will save time and

decrease long queues.

4. It is fully supported by UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-

URL_ID=3038&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html)

5. It can connect all three parties, citizens, Government and businesses. (M,

Backus,2001)


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6. It can empower people, by giving them the ability to be actively involved in

Government. I t can provide information on political processes, legislation, privacy

services and options.

I believe E-Governance has two tier architecture; the first tier is e-democracy and thesecond is e-government. The difference lies in their objectives.

E-Democracy is primarily focused on:

Providing correct and up to date information to the citizen

Motivating the citizen to be actively involved in politics by voting

Providing consultation to the citizen on matters related to services and representation.

E-Government on the other hand, is focused on enhancing the interaction between

Government and citizens, and between Government and Businesses using online services.

Furthermore it is also aimed internally in order to simplify the administration of Government.

(M, Backus,2001)

This can be summarized in the model below:

Thus the Cyprus Government can follow this model. The change can slowly begin by offering

services electronically, either through local Government, or central Government. As this

progresses based on the maturity model, proposed by Gartner (see appendix) the public and

businesses will start asking for more and more complex services.

This however does not mean that all departs of a Government have to be at the same level.

The first stage is Information; the Government may use static electronic means to offer

information to citizens, businesses and Government.

The second phase is more interactive; citizens have a more dynamic relationship with the

Government services, and interact by asking questions through e-mail, downloading forms

and documents.

E-GovernanceCitizensBusinesses

Central

Government

Local

Government

G2C, Government to citizen G2B, Government to Businesses

G2G,

Government to

INTERNAL

EXTERNAL


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The third phase the delivery of services becomes more interactive and complex, the public

conducts online transactions, fills out and submits electronic forms, uses Government online

applications and conducts online business.

The fourth stage is the stage in which, all services are under one central location, in one

repository, and would be customized and can be accessed on demand, by the users.Currently the Cyprus Government as it is, partially in stage two, where the public and

business can view online information and download application forms from the internet.

6 Case Studies

In this section of the report I will try and examine how other countries deploy ICT in

Government and look into ways in which these technologies can be applied in Cyprus.

6.1 Great Britain-A strategy for the wired world

Since November 1996, the United Kingdom has formed a strategy to Modernising

Government(link book).

Although the United Kingdom is a smaller island compared to other countries of the European

Union and the United States, it has taken an aggressive approach to delivering information

and services electronically.

Like several other countries, the UK Government had to deal with the following major

problems:

1. The provision of services to remote areas

2. The multilingual environment

3. The digital divide

Thus the UK Governments goal is to achieve the following:

1. Full use and application of ICT, in Government

2. Computerization of departments and automation of Government processes (e.g land

registry).

3. Increase the publics awareness of the importance of ICT.

4. Provide, electronic services better and more efficient to businesses and citizens5. Improve the efficiency and openness of Government administration and

6. Secure substantial cost savings for the taxpayer.

Currently the UK Government offers a number of services online such as:

1. Report Crimes

2. Report Benefit Fraud

3. Voting

4. Buy TV license

5. Pay council tax online

6. Apply for planning permission


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7. Pay national insurance

8. Tax self assessment

(http://www.direct.gov.uk/QuickFind/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineCategory/fs/en)

Furthermore a big number of projects are developed and focused on the local governmentsuch as:

1. E-learning

2. Bridging the Digital Divide

3. Local Authority e-business

4. Wireless internet

5. Smart Cards and

6. Biometrics

(http://www.localegovnp.org/default.asp?sID=1093959843576)

6.2 Canada Most connected Nation?

The Canadian Government begun the approach towards Renewing Government Services

using Information Technology ( ref book), by creating a 29 member Information Highway

Advisory Council (IHAC), consisting of business leaders and public interest representatives.

The council released a report in September 1995 with 300 recommendations focused on:

1. Competitiveness and Job Creation

2. Canadian Content and Culture

3. Access and Social Impact

4. Consumer awareness and Learning

5. Research and Development

(rref book)

According to the report the council predicted significant cost savings, and an improvement of

the quality of services the government offered, depending of how effectively Information

Technology would be used.

Some projects focused on e-governance are (ref book):

1. Community Access Program. CAP had a goal to establish over 10,000 public

access sites in rural and urban communities in Canada. The project now is focused

on providing these facilities in urban centres with more than 50,000 in population.

2. School Net. This projects main objective was to connect all schools, public and

secondary together with libraries in Canada and provide them with Internet Access.

By March 1999 almost 15,000 schools and 3,300 libraries were connected. To further

support this the Government offered over 250,000 computers to schools through a

program titled Computers for Schools. Furthermore several online portals exists such

as CyberWise (http://www.cyberwise.ca/index.htm) and Cybertrip

(http://www.cybertip.ca/en/cybertip/) to further support the role of SchooNet.


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3. Services Canada. A project in which the all government and agencies will be

connected on one secure network that will deliver services electronically over the

internet. Users can, file income taxes, and conduct business related transaction with

the Government online through one portal

4. Electronic Service Delivery on Line Database. ESD is a portal in which in whichusers can find material and information on the latest research, case studies, policies

and tools in electronic service delivery.

6.3 Hong Kong

Titled Digital 21, is Hong Kongs strategy to implement Information Technology in

government.

The result of this initiative was the set up of the Information and Technology Broadcasting

Bureau. The ITTB, in Digital 21, have set their vision, initiatives and targets on how

government, businesses, industry and academia can work together to make Hong Kong a

leading digital city in a globally connected world.

Thus since October 200 ITTB rolled out a number of project to support the above mission

statement:

1. Electronic service delivery. Services are delivered through the personal computer,

interactive-kiosks, interactive public pay phones and through digital television.

2. Interactive Government Directory. Also focused on the provision of services.

Services offered include:

a. Transportation services with maps and videos

b. Registration and renewal of motor vehicle licenses and drivers licence

c. Financial advice

d. Employment Opportunities

e. Tax payments and tax returns.

Furthermore Hong Kong ensured that all this services are reliable, secure and do not

compromise the citizens privacy and trust.


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6.4 Malaysia: Vision 2020

As with many other countries the Malaysian Government is aiming at facilitating IT in

government so that the public and private sector would be able to conduct transactions with

the government.

Thus Vision:2020 aims at:

1. Making Malaysia a fully developed industrialised rich country by 2020

2. Balanced Growth

3. National Unity

4. Malaysia as a role model of socio-economic development.

To achieve these aims the National IT Agenda (NITA) was formed. NITA outlined the

following strategy:

1. Ensure widespread use of IT in all sectors.

2. Develop a National IT plan3. Expand IT education and Training

4. Review laws related to IT development

5. Enhance IT awareness

The Malaysian government has a ig number of projects and strategies already in place. Some

of these are:

1. Smart schools; to promote life long learning and training through the use of ICT

2. Research and development centres, including multimedia Universities and

enhancement of local Universities.

3. Portals

4. Online delivery of government services.

6.5 Conclusion

The main conclusion that can be drawn from the above case studies is that Cyprus is really

behind, in terms of offering services online, to citizens and to businesses. Although an IT

government services does exists it is mostly focused on providing services and applications

internally.I believe that as an Information Systems designer I would recommend a roadmap base don

the strategy formed in the UK. I will base that on two main reasons:

1. The Cyprus legislation is very similar and is largely based on the English Legal system

(Cyprus until 1960 was under UK rule).

2. The diversity of cultural and lingual characteristics in both countries.


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7 Recommendations

Although the Anan Plan was rejected by the Greek-Cypriot site, the Anan Plan set a roadmap

toward the solution of the problem.

Thus based on the plan and in order to fully integrate IT into government and deliver

government services electronically the following should be taken under consideration and

should be regarded as pre-requisites:

7.1 Pre-requisites

7.1.1 24/7 Services

The use of IT in government and the e-delivery of services will change the systems and

processes in place. Thus these have to adapt to dynamic 24/7 service model, in which

citizens and employees receive an immediate response of any application send electronically.

This is based on the fact that the citizens will expect more faster response times based on the

changed communication medium.

7.1.2 Usability

The systems online have to give clear and concise information of how each service can be

used and should give alternatives. It should take under consideration users of all ages, users

speaking Greek, Turkish and English (the three most spoken languages in Cyprus), users

with disabilities either mental or physical and should cater for these in full.

7.1.2.1 Options

The systems should give the users the ability to perform a task online, download a form or a

document, or manually (go to the specific office) to achieve a task.

7.1.3 Online Content

The content provided on government we sites should be transformed to dynamic content and

should provide the latest news, announcements and services. Content Managers should be

should be responsible for the content of sites, internal (G2G) or external (G2C, G2B).

7.1.4 Learning and Training

All the government employees should be comfortable with the change. Everyone should be

trained on the new systems, the new services, and the tools that will be used to make that

change happen. Furthermore the government has to employee IT personnel, specialising in

different fields that have the required experience to achieve the goals set.


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7.1.5 Security

Computers nowadays are very vulnerable to external and internal attacks. Moving the

governments processes (information, communication and transactions) online makes matters

even worse. Thus secure networks, firewalls, IT policies, e-mail filtering and anti-virus

software must be enforced.

7.1.6 Privacy and Confidentiality

In the last 2 phases of the E-Governance maturity model, details and personal information of

citizens and business will be held, either electronically or in paper files. Thus the integration

and sharing of information between departments throughout government may result in

compromising individuals or a businesses confidentiality and privacy. Thus special

government sectors and legislations must be set up that enforce protocols which will

safeguard and secure these processes.

7.1.7 Public Awareness

If the government is aiming at making a large investment such as this, it should promote this

change not only internally but most importantly to the citizens. The web unfortunately is not

enough to market this, but broadcasting it and giving special seminars to citizens may ensure

that a big number of citizens make full use of the systems

7.1.8 Paperless Office

Together with the automation of processes, the government should strive to remove any

unnecessary paper. This should be a parallel process with the automation of processes. In

my opinion the first two major processes that the government should start with is the citizen,

business, and internal government application forms, and the second one the digitisation of

standard government documents.

7.1.9 IT DepartmentTo make all these possible the IT department must be radically enhanced so that it would be

able to comply with the government proposed changes. Thus a solid and ongoing investment

has to be applied. The more the processes change the more vital the role of the IT

department becomes; not only during implementation but also during post- implementation in

order to ensure sustainable development.


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7.2 Projects and Initiatives

In this section, recommendation of how the latest technology can be used to deliver services

electronically to citizens, businesses and within government.

7.2.1 The Web

The web must be utilised in full. I believe that the technology is already there, and its more

affordable than ever before, thus its up to the Government to take advantage of this factor.

There are numerous examples of how technology is used in government; the case studies I

have looked at are just a small percentage of the overall usage of ICT.

Because the web is currently growing and will keep growing constantly the government must

build applications and systems that must be able to adapt and to the changing technologies

and concepts.

7.2.1.1 Online Forms

One of the first steps should be the attempt to digitise a big number of applications that are

currently on paper and use web forms and digital submission to replace them

Of course the government should first start small, by digitising the most commonly used forms

such as the tax return, building permits etc.

Overall the Cyprus Government should attempt to initially offer the following services:

1. Tax returns

2. Pay taxes

3. Pay Parking Tickets

4. Pay other fines

5. Search for jobs (government sector)

6. Book Driving test

7. Renew driving licence and car registrations

The more these services are used the more the citizens will expect more services to be

online.

7.2.1.2 Access to all

Although Cyprus is a small island there are a big number of locations that are currently

without internet connection. The government through the local councils should balance that

by:

1. Making the public aware of the services offered, and give free training seminars of

how these services can be used

2. Build ICT centres both in urban and rural areas

3. Offer free wireless internet in libraries and in community centres

4. Use Internet kiosks that automatically connect to the government services

5. Create schemes in which used computers from businesses are given to community

centres of individuals that cannot afford the technology.


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6. Make use of digital television to offer government services.

7.2.1.3 Empowering the people

The government should aim and provide the means for the citizens to be more involved in hegovernment processes. To achieve that the government can initially use the following:

1. Online forums

2. Polls

3. Online voting

4. Online communities

5. News in RSS feeds that can be downloaded to users desktops

6. Personalised blogs

7.2.1.4 Customisable web sites and services

Based on the fourth phase of the e-governance maturity model, the next stage would be the

full customisation of each web site so that users would be able to log in into a customised

space and fully take advantage of the services offered to them.

7.2.2 Businesses

The web can be used by business to interact with the government in the following ways:

1. Business registration guidelines online

2. Online registration3. Online patent submission

4. Permits

5. Payment of taxes

The services will be offered online, but of course the users will have the choice to do it

manually.

7.2.3 Government

The web can and must be used internally. These can be achieved trough the following

services:

1. Government central network, in which local councils and government departments

will be interconnected.

2. Interactive Knowledge databases

3. Inter-governmental transactions.

7.2.4 Legislation

In the future government both the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot sections must vote and

create legislations that ensures :1. The citizens privacy


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2. The businesses confidentiality

3. Intellectual Copyrights

4. No benefit frauds take place

5. All transactions are secure

6. All applications, systems and web sites are accessible for all7. All electronic means of feedback to the citizens, including receipts of transactions are

official government documents and are valid throughout the Cyprus government.

8. No Cyber-crime takes place

9. Systems, applications and services are inline with the federal constitution and inline

with the European Union.

7.3 RFID Identity Cards & Smart Cards

Identity cards are a requirement for every citizen in Cyprus (both for Greek Cypriots and

Turkish-Cypriots) this I believe will continue in the new state.

Having said that the government would probably create new identity cards that would reflect

the new state.

Thus in the new identity cards the government could embed Radio frequency identification

(RFID) tags. RFID is a method of remotely storing and retrieving information and data using

RFID tags/transporters. (or other chip technologies)

Thus the data and information that could be stored in an RFID identity card could be:

1. National Identity information

2. Personal Information

3. Health information (e.g. blood type, or allergies)

4. Driver licence

5. Can be used as an immigration document to travel from one zone to the other

6. Can be used as a travel card and can be used in public transport.

The uses of a smart card are numerous and can adapt to every citizen or governmental

requirement.

7.4 Health Systems

A national health database and health management systems could largely benefit both the

citizens and the health authorities. Thus the health authorities can create the following:

1. A national databse system, that would function as a knowledge base and health related

issues repository.

2. A secure network in which hospitals, clinics, Gps and specialist are interconnected. This

will ease the communication and organisation of referred patients

3. A blood bank management system

All these projects can fully uplift the health services in Cyprus. The possibilities are immense,

e.g. doctors may be able to remotely diagnose a patients illness, doctors can refer patients

to specialist in their area more easily, doctors can find illness information and related health


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issues together with videos or pictures through a national health databse, or can at no time

retrieve information on available blood types and refer the patients to the nearest blood

clinics.

7.5 Schools OnlineCurrently, there is no significant use of technology in schools. The education and

technologies being used are of limited value and small in scale.

The government should create a network in which all schools are connected. This way a

knowledge repository can be created that would benefit, students, schools and staff.

Furthermore, school labs should be open outside school times in order for students to be able

to practise what they learn at schools with the use of technology. Furthermore the ministry of

Education should build portals for students and staff and should promote e-learning and

motivate learning with the use of technology. Also the government should radically enforce

the use of technology in the way modules are taught and the way students learn.

Furthermore, schools should lease or under special schemes provide computers to low

income students and or provide internet access freely at schools and through wireless

hotspots.

7.6 Biometric Passports

Biometrics is the science and technology of authentication (i.e. establishing the identity of

an individual) by measuring the person's physiological or behavioral features. The term is

derived from the Greek words "bios" for life and "metron" for measure.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biometrics)

Thus an emerging technology such as this could be used in a number of ways. Last year the

Green line borders (Dead Zone- Further Reading http://kypros.org/Lefkosia/line.htm and

http://www.worldpress.org/Europe/1124.cfm) in a number of places in Cyprus have

opened up giving a hope of unification in the island. This however had a number of

drawbacks, such as identity theft, false identity representation and false immigration and

identity documents.

Thus the Cyprus government in order to prevent that form happening in the future could

invest in this new technology in which biometric photographs can be used to identify each

individual. Although no standards are currently in place, according to some circles and

experts biometrics could be a technology that will soon take over the digital world.

(http://www.ukpa.gov.uk/identity.asp)


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8 Deployment and Implementation challenges

Based on he above, I believe that based on the current situation, there are a number of

challenges that the new Government, will be faced with when planning for e-governance

This are focused on the range of:

1. Social

2. Economic

3. Political

4. Technological

To better identify these, a SWOT analysis follows.


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9 Cyprus, E-Governance SWOT

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunit

Political 1. Inline with EU2. Modern Government Image

3. Better Government organisation

and easier management

1. Budget2. No internet legislation

available

3. IT skills currently

missing from

Government

1. Externa2. Get citiz

3. Automa

making

4. Smooth

plannin

Social 1. Promote e-learning

2. Increase Public awareness of IT

3. Increase in knowledge and skills

4. Make citizen-government interaction

simpler

1. More training needed

2. Technophobe culture

3. Bi-lingual barriers

4. Cultural and religion

diversity

5. Skill shortage

6. Competition with

private sector

1. Increas

2. Life lon

3. Promot

services

4. Better

standar

Economic 1. External Funding

2. Coalition with private sector

3. Private funding

1. Limited budget (initially)

2. Private sector

competition

1. Increas

2. Cost ef

3. Increas

and

interact


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Technological 1. Internet, motivating factor

2. Numerous projects

3. New business creation

4. Creation of Knowledge bases

1. Shortage of skilled

personnel

2. High costs of

technology

3. Shortage of IT

standards4. Cost of internet

1. Use of

from the

2. Coalitio

countrie

3. Investm

sector governm


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10 Implementation

Thus, form the above we can see the threats and weaknesses that the new government

could expect when attempting to implement an e-governance. Having said that, I believe that

if the government decides eventually to implement e-governance schemes; it has to do so

based on a strategy and a framework of action.

This report however will not deal in detail of how each section of e-governance will be

implemented, due to the fact that this report is based on future conditions that in case may

never take place. Thus I will recommend a strategy that is not solely based on the Ana Plan

but can also be used in other more general situations.

However it is important that every government in this case a bi-zonal federation, focuses on

a set of goals or success factors that will help the transformation process to run smoothly.These are:

1. Political solidity and constitutional awareness

2. Citizen to Government trust

3. Cultural identity, one united Cyprus or a different zonal identities, Greek-Cypriots and

Turkish-Cypriots, or just Cypriots?

4. Economic stability and level of education and public skill sets

Thus the central government has to initially build the foundation of e-governance, and steadily

implement the e-governance maturity model. This can be achieved by first setting an overall

goal, and then build the tasks that are needed to achieving that task. In detail the government

has to determine:

1. The projects that when combined can lead to the final objective.

2. Costs and benefits

3. Plans

4. Boundaries

5. Constraints

In real time conditions I believe that the central government should follow the following

strategy:

1. Set and goals and create projects in local councils of each zone

2. Combine projects of each local council in each zone to achieve the zone objective

3. Combine the zones projects to achieve the overall government e-governance vision.

This can be summarised in the model below:

Turkish-Cypriot Zone ProjectsGreek-Cypriot Zone Projects

Council 1

Council 2

Council 3

Council 4

Council 1

Council 2

Council 3

Council 4

Federation

E-Governance Objectives


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11 Review and Conclusion

11.1 Review

If the final solution of Cyprus is indeed a bi-zonal and bi-communal federation then I believe

that the recommendations found in this report would benefit both parties. Although, a project

such as this could not be confined in a 4000 word essay, but it would rather need years and

years of study and trial and error, it is a start that would give readers an overall idea of the

current affairs in Cyprus in terms of technology in government. A bi-zonal or bi-communal

country does not mean that a wall will be build between the two communities, but rather the

two communities will be working towards a common goal. Thus is I think, my implementation

recommendation could be easily applied. Local councils of each zone should work for the

goal of each zone and each zone should work to achieve the overall government objectives.

Thus based on the maturity model (see appendix) both communities can initially start small,

the first steps would be making their web sites more dynamic and begin offering services

preferably in the local government sector first and the progress to the zone sector and lastly

on the main government sector.

The tools and technology are there, and more affordable than ever before, there is a large

number of IT specialist currently in Cyprus, and this were perhaps the government will face

problems, the competition with the private sector, in terms of skillsets.

The government though should take advantage of the private sector. It should createinitiatives in which businesses in the private sector are actively involved and aid the

government in achieving its objectives.

People in Cyprus, at least middle aged adults and or pensioners are technophobes and a

big number of that population especially in rural areas, does not own and cannot use a

computer. Thus evidence of digital divide are very clear in these areas. This were both zones

should strive to break that gap by raising the publics awareness on technology and the

electronic delivery of services and ensure that all citizens clearly understand the benefits ICT

can offer.

There are a numbers of ways to integrate technology in government; and the case studies I

have looked at are just a small piece of the pie. Although Cyprus is really behind in this

sector, that is not necessarily bad. Because the government could benefit from the projects of

other countries, seek advice and see paradigms of the technologies in use, and most

importantly learn from other peoples mistakes. Theres no reason for the government to re-

invent the wheel, countries in the EU and other countries have used the technology before,

the costs are there, the studies both technological and social exist, thus, I think the Cyprus

government should make full use of these and adapt them to bi-communal, bi-zonal state.


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11.2 Conclusion

This reports main objective was to examine, ways in which a future united Cyprus

government based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal plan, could offer government services

electronically, to citizens, to business, and internally to government.

This was based on Gartners e-governance four phase maturity model. Through several

considerations I came to the conclusion that Cyprus, the Greek-Cypriot part, is still in phase

one of the model, as for the Turkish-Cypriot part, its more or less in the same level. Thus, this

would be a difficult change, and considering the number of barriers, already present, as

shown in the SWOT analysis, this may even take up to ten years or more to be implemented.

I have suggested a number of ways in which e-governance could be implemented in Cyprus,

but the main recommendation would be to start small, preferably on the web and slowly

progress into larger and larger projects.


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12 Appendix

12.1 Abstracts from the Anan Plan

Article 2

The United Cyprus Republic, its federal government, and

its constituent states:

1. The status and relationship of the United Cyprus Republic, its federal

government, and its constituent states, is modeled on the status and

relationship of Switzerland, its federal government, and its cantons.

Accordingly:

a. The United Cyprus Republic is an independent state in the form of an

indissoluble partnership, with a federal government and two equal

constituent states, the Greek Cypriot State and the Turkish Cypriot

State. Cyprus is a member of the United Nations and has a single

international legal personality and sovereignty. The United Cyprus

Republic is organised under its Constitution in accordance with the

basic principles of rule of law, democracy, representative republican

government, political equality, bi-zonality, and the equal status of the

constituent states.

b. The federal government sovereignly exercises the powers specified

in the Constitution, which shall ensure that Cyprus can speak and actwith one voice internationally and in the European Union, fulfill its


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8 obligations as a European Union member state, and protect its

integrity, borders, resources and ancient heritage.

c. The constituent states are of equal status. Within the limits of the

Constitution, they sovereignly exercise all powers not vested by the

Constitution in the federal government, organizing themselves freelyunder their own Constitutions.

2. The constituent states shall cooperate and coordinate with each other

and with the federal government, including through Cooperation

Agreements, as well as through Constitutional Laws approved by the

federal Parliament and both constituent state legislatures. In particular,

the constituent states shall participate in the formulation and

implementation of policy in external relations and European Union

relations on matters within their sphere of competence, in accordance

with Cooperation Agreements modeled on the Belgian example. The

constituent states may have commercial and cultural relations with the

outside world in conformity with the Constitution.

3. The federal government and the constituent states shall fully respect and

not infringe upon the powers and functions of each other. There shall be

no hierarchy between federal and constituent state laws. Any act in

contravention of the Constitution shall be null and void.

4. The Constitution of the United Cyprus Republic may be amended by

separate majority of the voters of each constituent state in accordance

with the specific provisions of the Constitution.

Further reading: http://www.cyprus-un-plan.org/


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13 References

1. Michiel Backus April 2001, E-governance2. http://www.ftpiicd.org/files/research/reports/report3.pdf

3. http://www.cyprus-un-plan.org/),4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_forms_of_government5. http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/cyphome/govhome.nsf/Main?OpenFrameSet6. http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-

URL_ID=3038&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html)7. http://www.direct.gov.uk/QuickFind/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineCategory/fs/en8. http://www.cyberwise.ca/index.htm9. http://www.cybertip.ca/en/cybertip/)10. http://kypros.org/Lefkosia/line.htm11. http://www.worldpress.org/Europe/1124.cfm

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