1. Multimedia Training Kit
The ICT Policy Process
Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Multimedia Training Kit

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Multimedia Training Kit
The ICT Policy Process
Wednesday, September 11, 2019Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Multimedia Training Kit