Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 IV. Role of parliamentarians in ICT4D Objective To focus on the role of parliamentarians, in the diffusion of ICT in Society and strategies for capacity building

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Transition to Information Society Information Inequality

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Information Society Information Equality Cyber Space

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Information Flow for Policy Development Parliamentarians Bureaucracy Citizen Government /Ministry ParliamentariansBureaucracy Citizen Government /Ministry

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Transition to e-Government Government Agency Information System PORTALSPORTALS Electronic Government Government Agency Information System Pre-electronic Government Citizens

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Present Policy Direction  Policy and Strategy formulation is primarily driven by Technological Push  Main stakeholders are Technology Providers and government - represented by bureaucracy  Bureaucracy to improve government functioning  IT companies to build business  Citizen is still very much a mute spectator  Thus, Demand Pull is not getting generated

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Reasons  Technology induction in developing nations is seen from government’s perspective; ever-increasing volume of work, minimize corruption, reduce government control and efficiency – in-house functional improvement  The intermediaries continue to perform their role, thus limiting the benefits of ICT induction to Citizen  The funding for such initiatives often comes from government or donor agencies for “proof of concept,” who find it hard to provide continued financial resources to sustain it over time  In such conditions, the technology diffusion remains at pilot or proof of concept level, and does not roll out on a national basis

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Reasons (contd..)  The scope of the Project and priority of implementation is quite often driven by technology push ( maximize technology input) and hence, high cost  Need for higher skill levels and high costs create barriers for roll out of applications in remote areas  Government supported initiatives can be approved and implemented in short time as compared to development of initiatives with private- sector participation  It is therefore important that the entire ICT4D Policy Vision is viewed from citizen’s perspective keeping in mind the appropriate mix of Acceptability & Sustainability.

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Need for Citizen-Parliamentarian partnership  Information is at a premium in the developing world; easy access is the right of all citizens  Citizen does not have enough knowledge or channels to proactively participate in re-orienting the policy framework  Also, the citizen as a stakeholder, does not represent a strong force to change the direction of technology push to serve his/her needs (-minimize the digital divide )

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Need for Citizen-Parliamentarian partnership  Parliamentarians, as the elected representatives, are responsible to provide leadership and guidance to the people. ICT deserves a closer look, and hence partnership  Parliamentarians are also responsible for general policy initiatives, including that of ICT to improve the lot of their people  Parliamentarians can bridge discussion between Ministries, issues and technologies  Hence, need for parliamentarians to take up a new role in ICT4D to address the Digital Divide

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 New Role of Parliamentarians in ICT4D  Build awareness among masses  Legislate laws and policies and effective implementation  Work as a driving force for citizen centric development and promote citizen centric projects  Facilitate sufficient budget on ICT4D  Create linkages between ministries, industry sectors, laws, issues, and technologies  Work as a change agent for good governance  Lead by example - Use of ICT for local area development  Enterprise development  Facilitate access to information by all citizens

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Convergence of Communications Technologies Users Generalized Information Infrastructure Wire line Wireless packet switch Coaxial Satellite Basic telephone Cellular Telephone Internet Cable Television Data Transmission

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Preparing Parliamentarians for New Role  Awareness building among parliamentarians  Seminars and workshops  Access to information (best practices, case studies)  Continuous dialogue and interaction among different stakeholders  Develop a cross-sector viewpoint  Regional dialogue among parliamentarians to share their vision, experiences (success/failures)  Regional cooperation for technology and best practices transfer and localization  e-Asian Parliamentarians Forum

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Conclusions  The information revolution and transition to Knowledge Society is a reality.  Every nation big or small, rich or poor has to face up to this reality.  While it has unlimited potential, it also poses numerous challenges.  Every segment of society has to actively participate and contribute to ensure just and equitable distribution of benefits to all.  Parliamentarians being a vital segment, have to proactively participate.  Parliamentarians need to evolve new role for themselves for this and act on it.

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Food for thought  Do we genuinely believe that ICT can trigger the desired development in society?  Acceptance of ICT is driven by conviction or fear of being left behind?  What can convince us?  What can we contribute to ICT4D?  What and how do we prepare?  Do we need to increase regional/international cooperation?

Copyright UNDP-APDIP & GKP 2003 Thank You!