View
219
Download
1
Category
Preview:
Citation preview
Building Accountable and Democratic Governance Institutions:
How is ICT changing information flows in Developing Countries ?
Vikas NathFounding President:
DigitalGovernance.org Initiative
DevNetJobs.org Initiative
THE ROLE OF NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN DEVELOPMENT: BECOMING AN INFORMATION SOCIETY
18 October 2005, Wilton Park Conference, UK
Information Access and Information Flows
Information ACCESSThe different sources available to individuals to seek information.
Eg: from other individuals, from institutions, from libraries, public domains and databases.
Information FLOWSThe supply of information within a society. Eg: Information flows may be ‘restricted’ in some societies and ‘open’ in others.
ICT Enhances Information Access
ACCESS
DIMENSIONS
OBSERVATIONS IMPACT
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Internet access can be replicated and made available at all places: Villages, Schools, Markets, Post Offices.
Sources of information increase.
VALIDITY OF
INFORMATION
Information available across all Internet points and to all Internet users is the same: Opposition parties, Media, Minority Groups, NGOs.
Triangulation of information is possible.
TIMELINESS OF INFORMATION
Information can be accessed at all times and from all places: Rural & Urban Areas.
Access to information is instantaneous.
ICT Enhances Information Flows
FLOWS
DIMENSION
OBSERVATIONS IMPACT
INFORMATION
PRODUCTION
Internet provides a low-cost avenue to produce information. Individuals can upload their views any time, in their own language and format: Pictures, Sound, Petitions…
Increase in supply of information.
INFORMATION
BROADCAST
Internet makes it possible to broadcast information cheaply and at all times through: Newgroups, Websites, Emails, Peer Networks, List Servs
Increase in supply of information.
Case A: The 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
Case B: Desired post- ICT situation
RURAL USERS (5) SERVICES (A, B, C, D)
A
E
D
B
C
G
F
U1
U2
U3
U5
U4
New Public Value = U1V1 + U2V2 + U3V3 + U4V4 + U5V5 +….. + UiVj
U6
U7
U8
Some Learnings!
ICTs enhances Information Access and Flows…
almost automatically in project designs
But if ICT has to create Politically Relevant and Inclusive Community Networks, then there is a need to RESHAPE the “Geometry of Information Flows” within the Society.
Guidelines for weaving Politically Relevant Networks
Who are our Target groups that we want to reach out to, through Internet?
What are the key 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?
E-Governance Models for building Accountable and Democratic Governance Institutions
• Wider Dissemination Model• Critical Flow Model• Comparative Analysis Model• E-advocacy/ Lobbying and
Pressure group model• Interactive-Service Model
Wider Disseminating ModelInformation: Information:
Public Domain Wider Public DomainPublic Domain Wider Public Domain
Public Domain Information
Wider DomainWider Domain•Laws and Legislations• Local Govt. Offices and Officials Information• Government Budget, Plans and Expenditures• Key Judicial Decisions: state vs. citizen decisions
ExamplesExamplesBrazil: Official Government WebsiteBrazil: Official Government Website
www.brazil.gov.br
South Africa: Idasa’s Political Information and Monitoring South Africa: Idasa’s Political Information and Monitoring Service (PIMS)Service (PIMS)
www.pims.org.za/monitor
India: Directory of Government MinistriesIndia: Directory of Government Ministries
www.goidirectory.nic.in
Armenia: Online forum for Democratic ParticipationArmenia: Online forum for Democratic Participation
www.forum.amwww.forum.am
Critical 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 Bangladesh: Human Rights Portal www.banglarights.net
Mexico: Declarenet www.declaranet.gob.mxMexico: Declarenet www.declaranet.gob.mx
El Salvador: Probidad El Salvador: Probidad www.probidad.org
India: Central Vigilance Committee India: Central Vigilance Committee www.cvc.nic.in
BlBlooggggererss
Comparative Analysis ModelInformation:Information:
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 Precedence Information(time line)
• With and Without Information
•Court Rulings / Historical ArchiveCourt Rulings / Historical Archive •Tracking Performance Records / Tracking Performance Records / Financial Assets Growth of MinistersFinancial Assets Growth of MinistersElectoral Candidates InformationElectoral Candidates Information
•Bringing out Best / Worst PracticesBringing out Best / Worst PracticesDisaster ResponseDisaster ResponseComparative policies- Bt Cotton & Comparative policies- Bt Cotton & Trademark Potatoes CampaignTrademark Potatoes Campaign
ExamplesExamplesArgentina: Cristal (Budget comparisons and use of public Argentina: Cristal (Budget comparisons and use of public funds)funds)
www.cristal.gov.arwww.cristal.gov.ar
Sri Lanka: Kothmale Project (Comparison of Education Sri Lanka: Kothmale Project (Comparison of Education Indicators)Indicators)
India: Green Ratings of Chief MinistersIndia: Green Ratings of Chief Ministers
www.cseindia.org www.cseindia.org
India: Comparative Learning from DisastersIndia: Comparative Learning from Disasters
www.nic.in www.nic.in
Mobilisation and Lobbying Model Building 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
ExamplesExamples
Planned, Directed, Strategic flow of Information to Planned, Directed, Strategic flow of Information to build strong issue-based Allies / solidarity to build strong issue-based Allies / solidarity to complement action in Real World. complement action in Real World.
(often through combination of other models)(often through combination of other models)
• e-Signature Campaigns e-Signature Campaigns • e-Groups on Agriculturee-Groups on Agriculture• Zimbabwe Kubatana.net (using emails for lobbying)Zimbabwe Kubatana.net (using emails for lobbying)• SMS and Mobile Campaigns- SMS and Mobile Campaigns- Philippines aPhilippines and Ukrainend Ukraine
Service Delivery Model USER SERVICE PROVIDER USER SERVICE PROVIDER
E-GovernmentE-GovernmentE- debatesE- debatesE-ballotsE-ballotsE-procurement of E-procurement of servicesservicesE-administration: E-administration: taxes, parking taxes, parking tickets, licensestickets, licenses
ExamplesExamplesBrazil: Citizen Services Centre Brazil: Citizen Services Centre
Mongolia: Citizens Information CentreMongolia: Citizens Information Centre
Nepal: Municipal Services Online Nepal: Municipal Services Online
www.bharatpurmun.org.np www.bharatpurmun.org.np
India: Bhoomi Project (Karnataka)India: Bhoomi Project (Karnataka)
www.revdept-01.kar.nic.in www.revdept-01.kar.nic.in
Namibia: Parliamentary website for bill discussionsNamibia: Parliamentary website for bill discussions
www.parliament.gov.na www.parliament.gov.na
Recommended