1. E-governance LIS 590 Task 2 Jessica Yonzon

2. What is e-governance? Backus (2001): The application of electronic means in (1) the interaction between government and citizens and government and businesses, as well as (2) in internal government operations to simplify and improve democratic, government and business aspects of Governance

3. The E-governance Institute, Rutgers University: The principles of e-governance are: Build services around citizens' choices Make government more accessible Facilitate social inclusion Provide information responsibly Use government resources effectively and efficiently saving taxpayers money

4. How does it promote UL?  People have easy/better access to government information/services.

5. Government website as a tool for e-governance Desirable characteristics (Backus, 2001): Accessible Transparent in providing relevant government information (policies, news, regulations, data, etc.) Interactive – exchange of information/ communication (emails, search engines, downloadable forms/documents, etc.) Delivery of products and services – online transactions like filing taxes, extending/renewing licenses, visas, passports, etc., and online voting In the future: All services at one virtual counter

6. An example of a government site with each of the characteristics http://www.westminster.gov.uk/http://www.westminster.gov.uk/ - City of Westminster, London

7. Accessibility: http://www.westminster.gov.uk/tools/help/acc essoptions.cfm - different access options / languages http://www.westminster.gov.uk/tools/help/acc essoptions.cfm Mobile alerts - http://www.westminster.gov.uk/mobiles.cfm http://www.westminster.gov.uk/mobiles.cfm

8. Relevant Information: Press Office http://www.westminster.gov.uk/councilgovernmentan ddemocracy/councils/pressoffice/index.cfm http://www.westminster.gov.uk/councilgovernmentan ddemocracy/councils/pressoffice/index.cfm Online publications - http://www.westminster.gov.uk/publications.cfm http://www.westminster.gov.uk/publications.cfm Going Green - http://www.westminstergogreen.co.uk/home/ http://www.westminstergogreen.co.uk/home/ Many more! http://www.westminster.gov.uk/http://www.westminster.gov.uk/

9. Interactive features: Contact information - http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/forms/contac t_council.cfm http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/forms/contac t_council.cfm Search Engine Downloadable forms - http://www.westminster.gov.uk/forms/ http://www.westminster.gov.uk/forms/

10. Online services: Report a problem - http://www.westminster.gov.uk/forms/#problem http://www.westminster.gov.uk/forms/#problem Contact the council - http://www.westminster.gov.uk/forms/#contact http://www.westminster.gov.uk/forms/#contact MyWestminster - http://www.westminster.gov.uk/mywestminster/ http://www.westminster.gov.uk/mywestminster/

11. References: Backus, M. (2001) E-governance and developing countries. IICD (International Institute for Communication and Development) Research Brief. The E-governance Institute: http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~egovinst/Web site/index.html http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~egovinst/Web site/index.html