Multimedia Training Kit The ICT Policy Process Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Session objectives Be aware of who is responsible for policy in the ICT area Identify the steps in the policy process Be able to identify key players and stakeholders Be able to explain the importance of a consultative process Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Policy Processes Usually initiated by government (or/and supported by international organizations, e.g. UNECA) Since ICT cuts across government functions, responsibility needs to be outside structure of individual ministries An e-Minister? Reporting to the PM? Advised by multi stakeholder committee Supported by skilled staff or team Refer to scenarios identified in handout and relate scenarios to policy process Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Steps in the Policy Process Problem definition and assessment Definition of goals and beneficiaries Formulation of policy options Prescription of preferred option/s Enforcement of new policy Implementation of policy decision Evaluating and monitoring the impact of the policy (or program) Termination, renewal or revision of policy This is not a “model” list of steps in the process. This is a basic framework. In practice, some steps happens concurrently. However, the important point to make is that consultation and participation MUST happen at all steps in the process. Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Discussion/Exercise 1 Discuss and describe the policy process in your country (if you are aware). Provide an example of a particular policy (or your country’s ICT policy), and describe how the process took place. Report back to plenary If pre-workshop information is available on the participants, including their country, the trainer can prepare the exercise in advance. Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Stakeholder Groups Government: Ministries of telecommunications, broadcasting, the telecom operator if in public sector, user ministries Civil Society: NGOs (e.g. women’s organizations, human rights groups), trade unions, academia, professional associations, user forums, consumer groups Private Sector: Telecom operators, business associations, industry groups representing different activities (ISPs, media, software developers, private trainers, etc.) Trainer should ask about specific stakeholders in different countries Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Stakeholders Have Different Interests Government wants ICT policy to support national goals – development & economic expansion, employment, peace, stability, etc Civil Society wants ICT policy to empower society and individuals in the struggle for rights, equity and broad-based development Private sector wants ICT policy to promote entrepreneurship and innovation Different interests do not mean disagreement, but reflect priorities. Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Negotiating a Consensus Stakeholders may agree on broad objectives but not on means of achieving them E.g. – Universal Service – common goal – may lead to debates on: Timetable for privatization Use of universal service funds Tariffs Limits on foreign investment Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Ensuring a Place at the Table Private sector and civil society need to organize to ensure fair representation Promote creation of national ICT forums that engage all sectors: Research, lobbying, awareness raising Promote creation of specialised lobby groups e.g. Internet Service Providers Association of SA WOUGnet – Women of Uganda network Civil society must be aware of process and be informed about it. Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Involving the Regions Internet access is often concentrated in cities – all stakeholders need to make special efforts to engage their partners in rural areas: Government run workshops in the regions (as in Mozambique) Engage local players around issues – e.g. tourism Encourage local media to report on policy issues and processes Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Exercise 2 In groups, identify a policy issue of interest to a particular country. Identify who are the stakeholders that should be interested in participating in the policy process Formulate a number of policy options that address the issue and reflect stakeholders’ concerns Report back to plenary Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Summary What are the steps in the policy process? Why is consultation important for good ICT policy? Which are main stakeholder groups? How can rural areas be involved? Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit The ICT Policy Process Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org