Development of ICTs or

ICTs for Development?Can Local Sightedness Solve this Dilemma?

Using E-Governance as a Case-Study

Vikas Nath

Founder, Digital Governance Initiativewww.DigitalGovernance.org

Special Advisor to the Executive Director, South Centre, Geneva

EPFL Executive Master in e-GovernanceEPFL Executive Master in e-Governance Lausanne, SwitzerlandLausanne, Switzerland

13 October 200613 October 2006

To understand this session better let us get out of this classroom and transport ourselves back into our countries…

Development of ICTs: What do we mean?

ICTs can be visualized as:

Infrastructure: Roads, Electricity Grid, Railway Lines …

Communication Tool: Post, Newspapers …

Capital: Finance, Ideas, Human Resources …

As in the case of Infrastructure, Communication Tools and Capital, development of ICTs leads to economic growth, greater opportunities and human development.

And yet, similar to Infrastructure, Communication Tools and Capital developing ICTs itself cannot ensure that lives of all people, including those belonging to the marginalized sections, will improve automatically.

Millions of people still lie in poverty next to roads and highways!

ICTs for Development: What do we mean?

ICTs can be visualized as:

Access to Education : online classes, libraries, course material

Access to Employment : job notices, outsourced jobs

Access to Information: market price, weather and floods information, government schemes

Access to Advice: agricultural, business, health advice

Access to Services: shopping, banking, government services

High access-cost & equipment fees, limited bandwidth, expensive ICT solutions, software & business models, lack of technical know-how means many developing countries are unable to deliver benefits of ICTs to their

population (inspite of good intentions).

Which Path should countries follow?

Development of ICTs? ICTs for Development?

High Invesment in ICTs is no guarantee that development benefits will accrue to people who need them the most.

► Eg: Often countries with low-levels of ICT investment and e-readiness rank higher in providing development benefits to their population.

Development benefits cannot be provided efficiently and to a large section of population in absence of a well-developed ICT infrastructure.

► Eg: There is a limit to employment that can be generated and benefits that will accrue from setting up SMEs/ rural industries in absence of ICTs. ICTs can open up new markets and make the costs competitive.

The Way Forward is:

Prioritization of Development Benefits

Localization: Targeting of Desired Constituencies

Being Indigenous in “Development of ICTs” Being Innovative in setting up « ICT for

Development models »

LET US TAKE THE EXAMPLE OF E-GOVERNANCE ….

E-G

ove

rnm

ent

at a

Gla

nce

Source: UNPAN http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan006268.pdf

E-Gov Readiness Index (top 10)capacity of public sector to use ICT

Source: UNPAN E-Gov Global Survey 2005 http://www.unpan.org/egovernment5.asp

E-Participation Index (top 10)willingness to provide information and communication tools (6 Areas: Health, Educ, Finance, Employment, Social welfare & General

E-government Readiness Index

Country Index

United States 0.9062

Denmark 0.9058

Sweden 0.8983

United Kingdom 0.8777

Republic of Korea 0.8727

Australia 0.8679

Singapore 0.8503

Canada 0.8425

Finland 0.8231

Norway …… Chile (top 25)

0.8228

E-participation Index

Country Index

United Kingdom 1.0000

Singapore 0.9841

United States 0.9048

Canada 0.8730

Republic of Korea 0.8730

New Zealand 0.7937

Denmark 0.7619

Mexico 0.7619

Australia 0.7143

Netherlands Chile, Colombia, Philippines,

Brazil, Venezuela….(top 25)0.6984

Ranking of Municipalities Online(84 Cities)

1 Seoul 2 Hong Kong 3 Singapore 4 Rome 5 Shanghai 6 New York 7 Auckland 8 Stockholm 9 Sao Paulo10 Sofia

Source: Survey done by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey- Newark, USA http://newark.rutgers.edu/~egovinst/Website/summary.htm

Among the top 25 cities:8 cities are from developing or transition countries: Shanghai Dubai, Macao, Jakarta, Sao Paulo, Kyiv, Sofia, Bucharest.

CRITERIA: Citizen Service Delivery

Who is the Government for Citizens ?Who are the Citizens for Government ?

WomenCentral

Government

GOVERNMENT CITIZENS

Farmers

Entrepreneur

Taxpayer

Un-Employed

Rural PopulationSenior

Citizens

Media

Courts

HomeMinistry

StateGovernment

Municipality

Police

Customs

AgricultureDepartment

NationalBanks

ExciseDepartment

Localization and Prioritization of Development Benefits

(Who are the users and what services do they need?)

Small & Medium Enterpreneurs ?

Tax & excise subsidies, Government loans, Credit availability

Farmers ? Pest control, Market and minimum support prices, Government schemes and subsidies

Unemployed ? Government employment and roster, medical benefits

Rural people ? Local government offices, health & education facilities

Fishermen ? Weather pattern, rehabilitation plans

TARGETING: E-Governance is Match- Making between Citizens and Service Providers

Women

USER GROUPS

Farmers

LocalBusinesses

NGO Workers

Un-Employed

CITIZENSSeniorCitizens

LocalMedia

E-

GO

VE

RN

AN

CE

SERVICE PROVIDERS

Children

Transport Ministry

LocalMunicipalities

AgricultureDepartment

Home Ministry

Health Department

Department of Youth Employment

5 Innovative E-Governance Models being used in Several Developing Countries

• Wider Dissemination Model• Critical Flow Model• Comparative Analysis Model• E-advocacy/ Pressure group model• Selective-Service Model

PublicDomain

Information

Wider Public Domain

CITIZENSC

ITIZ

EN

SC

ITIZ

EN

S

• Govt. Laws, Legislations, Notices• Local Govt. Offices and Officials Information• Government Budget, Plans and Expenditures• Key Judicial Decisions: state vs. citizen decisions• Government Tenders, Procurement Notice• Government Employment

Wider Disseminating ModelInformation: Information:

Public Domain Wider Public DomainPublic Domain Wider Public Domain

ExamplesExamples

Mongolia: Open Government http://open-government.mn

Malaysia: E-Flood Information http://jps.selangor.gov.my

Philippines: Government Online (but not yet!) http://www.gov.ph/directory

Uzbekistan: Portal of the State of Authority http://www.gov.uz

MONGOLIA

MALAYSIA:E-Flood Information DID (JPS) Selangor Statehttp://jps.selangor.gov.my

1. The system integrates all hydrology data from District DID (JPS) to the Shah Alam Hydrology Unit automatically and in real time.

2. It then provides real-time river monitoring to safequard life and property, and offers flood warnings through SMS.

3. The project simplifies government agency flood rescue operations.

INDIA: (For Fishermen) Fish Shoal Movements in the Indian Ocean

Critical Flow ModelCritical Flow ModelCritical Information:Critical Information:

Private Domain Wider Public DomainPrivate Domain Wider Public Domain

Private Domain Information

Wider DomainWider Domain

• Corruption Information• Enquiry reports, scientific research, impact studies commissioned• Company’s Green Ratings • Human Rights Violations Records• Whistle Blowing

ExamplesExamples

Bangladesh: Human Rights Portal www.banglarights.net

independent web portal which exposes and challenges discriminations and violations of human rights.

India: Central Vigilance Committee www.cvc.nic.inOnline filing of complaints against public officials and online exposing of names of Corrupted Government Officials.

Mexico: Declarenet www.declaranet.gob.mx

Declaranet" allows for on-line filing of income for federal employees.

Bloggers

BANGLADESH: Human Rights Violations

INDIA: Central Vigilance Committee

Comparative Analysis ModelInformation in:Information in:

Private / Public Domain + Public / Private Domain Private / Public Domain + Public / Private Domain Wider Public Domain Wider Public Domain

Public/PrivateDomain

Wider DomainWider Domain

Public Domain Information

Public/PrivateDomain

Comparative Analysis Model

• Based on comparison over Time

• Based on comparison between 2 Services at a given time

•Court Rulings / Historical Archive •Tracking Performance Records / Background of Electoral Candidates

• Bringing out Best / Worst Practices

• Cases of Corruption, Budget Irregularities

ExamplesExamples

India: National Courts

http://indiancourts.nic.in

Sri Lanka: Comparison of Education Indicators (Kothmale Project)

Philippines: Comparison of Electoral Candidates

India: Green Ratings of Chief Ministers/ Comparing Environmental Records of Industries

http://www.cseindia.org

INDIA: National Courts

INDIA: Green Rating of Industries / Paper Mills

Mobilisation and Lobbying ModelBuilding Allies / Networking Networks for Building Allies / Networking Networks for

Concerted ActionConcerted Action

Communities

Virtual CommunityVirtual Community

Networks

Individuals

Interest Groups

Common Common GoalGoal

Real CommunityReal Community

Strategic flow of Information to build strong issue-based Allies to complement action in Real World.

ExamplesExamples

SMS and Mobile Political Campaigns- Philippines, Belarus (ice-cream flash mobs) and Ukraine

• SMS Protests: Lebanan (organise massive anti-Syrian protests after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri)

• Anti-Corruption Signature Campaigns: India (Petition OnlineCorruption)

• Email Groups for Lobbying: Zimbabwe Kubatana.net

Service Delivery ModelService Delivery Model

USER SERVICE PROVIDER USER SERVICE PROVIDER

E-ProcurementE-ProcurementE- ShoppingE- ShoppingE-ballotsE-ballotsE-taxes, parking E-taxes, parking tickets, licensestickets, licensesE-GovernmentE-Government

ExamplesExamples

Philippines: Online Marriage, Birth Certificates (City of Manila)http://www.cityofmanila.com.ph/service.htm

China: Shanghai Investment Promotion Agencyhttp://www.investment.gov.cn/english/index.html

Indonesia: LIVE E-Commerce

India: Delhi Government Online Complaint Form complaints.mcdonline.gov.in

PHILIPPINES

CHINA: Shanghai Investment Promotion Agency

Indonesia: Want to buy a LIVE SHEEP?

Price Terms: FOB

Specifications:For sale jamnapari goats ex Indonesia. Quality breeders between 6 and 9 months old. Able to supply up to 450 goats per month.

Berat LahirBerat Dewasa Jantan 3 - 4 kg  Jantan 68 - 91 kg Betina 3-4 kg  Betina 36-63 skg

Leave me a message

Company Name: Medanova Commodities Sdn Bhd

Contact Person: Mr Rajalingam Theva Raj

ADDRESS: 6th Floor, Suite 18, IOI Business Park, Bandar Puchong Jaya, Puchong, Malaysia, Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia, MalaysiaPHONE: 60 3 80762836

COMING BACK The Way Forward is:

Prioritization of Development Benefits

Localization: Targeting of Desired Constituencies

Being Indigenous in “Development of ICTs” Being Innovative in setting up « ICT for

Development models »

THUS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE BEHIND ICT PROJECTS SHOULD BE ……

Increasing the « Public Value of Services » being offered by Information Technology to local community?

What do you mean by PUBLIC VALUE of Services?

What do you mean by PUBLIC VALUE of Services?

O O i

O O i

Okay, let me explain what that means?

Okay, let me explain what that means?

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE

Case A: pre-ICT Situation

USERS (5) SERVICES (A, B, C, D)

A

D

B

CU1

U2

U3

U5

U4

V4D

V1B

V2C

V1A

V5D

V3D

V= Value of Service being derived by the User: U

Total Public Value of Services derived = U1V1 + U2V2 + U3V3 + U4V4 + U5V5

3 WAYS to increase PUBLIC VALUE OF SERVICES:

Bring NEW USERS under the reach of the Information Technology

Provide NEW SERVICES to Existing Users

Enhance the QUALITY OF EXISTING SERVICES being offered so that users derive greater Value from the same service.

THE SITUATION WILL THEN CHANGE…..

Case B: Desired post- ICT situation

USERS (8) SERVICES (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H)

A

E

D

B

C

G

F

U1

U2

U3

U5

U4

New Public Value = U1V1 + U2V2 + U3V3 + U4V4 + U5V5 +….. + UiVj

U6

U7

U8

ICT Projects Guideline

Who are the Target groups that we want to reach out to, through Internet?

What are the local information needs of the disadvantaged community?

What are the existing channels by which information reaches to the disadvantaged community?

What is the weakest link in the chain of information flows: from source to the disadvantaged communities?

QUESTIONS?

Vikas NathInlaks Scholar, London School of Economics, UK

Founder, Digital Governance InitiativeFounder, DevNetJobs.org Initiative

Special Advisor, South Centre

Vikas.Nath@gmail.comhttp://www.VikasNath.org