E-government in the Pacific Islands:project update

Rowena Cullen

Graham Hassall

Country reports and book contract

• Country reports– Samoa complete and signed off– Vanuatu and Cook Islands draft under review– PNG and Solomon Islands nearly complete– Cross case analysis in progress

• Book project (Springer) - thematic– Chapters assigned, confirming authorship– Some drafting underway

Format of country reports

• Framework Boase (2009)• Report content

– State of ICTs– Lead ministry and any national ICT/e-government

policy, strategy– Other ministries’ use of ICT– Web development– Final comments

• Returned to informants for comment before final sign-off

Boase (2009) UNDP ICT4D project - benefits of ICT/e-government

• More accessible government information and services; • Faster, smoother transactions with government

agencies; • Increased access to government decision makers and to

parliamentarians; • More local access to government through the internet; • Increased participation in government by all; • Increased efficiency in government operations; • Enhanced opportunities for smart partnerships with civil

society and the private sector; • Legal recommendation and security over the networks

General findingsAll aspire to benefits (Boase)

• All countries face same issues as SIDs– climate, geography, lack of infrastructure, skills,

resources– those with numerous islands greater challenges

• All face same pressures to regulate telecomm industry and establish regulatory authority

• Utilise some form of UAP to reach remote and/or disadvantaged communities– mandate, UAP fund, subsidies

(/users/equipment/services), market forces– community tele-centres

Core agencies better supported than others

• International interest/support in management of finances (accounting, procurement, payroll, HR), central bank, customs, border control, statistics, meteo, disaster warning systems (well developed international or proprietary systems)

• Less support for basic govt systems- Justice, Lands, Parliament, Electoral, ID etc. (more ad hoc, project based ( temporary), MS Office or OSS )

• Third tier

– education, health, community, disability services (even more ad hoc, project-based, volunteers)

– significant use of social media

National ICT policies

• Generally cover similar principles for development– Deregulation, regulator, UAP– Benefits of Internet, broadband for business and citizens– Legislative framework incl cybercrime, security,

protection for citizens and youth (some incl digital signatures)

• For government• Efficiency, accountability, transparency,• Better access to online services, information• Increased participation• Cultural heritage

Critical success factors

• Clear sense of vision, and commitment from government - and a very high priority

• Leadership - ICT change requires champions, with power to effect change

• Local ownership – advisors remain advisors• Resources (financial and ICT skills) and ability to access

additional resources• Agreement across government on priorities and commitment

to following these• Open transparent process and consultation• Policy operationalised into achievable (prioritised) targets • Aid targeted to local priorities

The book project

1. Introduction – e-government in SIDS

2. Global policies and initiatives for e-government in SIDS

3. Regional ICT strategies. regional cooperation and its contribution to effective e-government

4. Public administration in SIDS, including core government functions: public finance, border control, parliamentary process, legislation, law and justice, and government record-keeping

5. Official statistics

6. Mobile technologies and their impact in SIDS

7. The role of ICTs in agriculture and rural development in SIDS

8. Climate change and disaster preparation and response: a key issue for SIDS  

9. Health 10. Education 11. The role of civil society in promoting e-government in SIDS 12. Conclusion