1 National Information Society Strategies: Guidance Notes based on examples of Albania and Kyrgyz Republic Presented by Yevgeny Korneev, UNDP experience in Eastern Europe and CIS

2 Contents Definitions: What is a National ICT strategy? Definitions: What is a National ICT strategy? Sample components of a National ICT Strategy Sample components of a National ICT Strategy Process: Arriving at a National ICT Strategy Process: Arriving at a National ICT Strategy Key Issues for Consideration and Engagement Key Issues for Consideration and Engagement ICT 4 D testament: do’s and don’t ICT 4 D testament: do’s and don’t

3 Components of National ICT Strategy/Strategy for Information Society Forward-looking and inclusive National ICT vision (mid-to-long term) Rationale: Assessment of current situation (E-readiness) Outcomes, benchmarks and indicators

4 ICT Strategy: Process & Actors Process is as Important as Final Document Process is as Important as Final Document Demands political commitment Demands political commitment Should be of Open & Participatory nature Should be of Open & Participatory nature Must be used for building of wide- spread awareness of the role of ICT in National development Must be used for building of wide- spread awareness of the role of ICT in National development

5 Key Issues for Consideration and Engagement NISS are a political, as well as a policy, process NISS are a political, as well as a policy, process NISS need to fit within existing national development plans and priorities NISS need to fit within existing national development plans and priorities NISS are not a “magic” solution to structural problems NISS are not a “magic” solution to structural problems NISS should take into account emerging international standards and norms NISS should take into account emerging international standards and norms NISS can help address normative questions that define citizen-state relationship NISS can help address normative questions that define citizen-state relationship

6 National ICT Action Plan Action Plan is a detailed planning and implementation document, accompanies a National ICT Strategy Action Plan is a detailed planning and implementation document, accompanies a National ICT Strategy Proposes outcomes within specific time-frames, and operates within limited and defined resource envelopes Proposes outcomes within specific time-frames, and operates within limited and defined resource envelopes Defines coordination arrangements for implementation of NICTS Defines coordination arrangements for implementation of NICTS

7 Key Issues for Consideration and Engagement Implementation of E-Government Programmes on a wide scale is costly and fraught with difficulties (about 80% do not achieve their desired results) Implementation of E-Government Programmes on a wide scale is costly and fraught with difficulties (about 80% do not achieve their desired results) Rapid and ever-changing nature of ICTs and their affect on societies, economies and regulatory environment Rapid and ever-changing nature of ICTs and their affect on societies, economies and regulatory environment Continued global downturn of ICT as Industry worldwide, as the result – skepticism and lowered expectations Continued global downturn of ICT as Industry worldwide, as the result – skepticism and lowered expectations

8 Do’s and Don’ts! 1. Do seek government’s support at the highest level 1. Do seek government’s support at the highest level 2. Do involve all key stakeholders and always private sector and NGOs 2. Do involve all key stakeholders and always private sector and NGOs 3. Do pay special attention to legislation 3. Do pay special attention to legislation 4. Do focus on developmental aspect 4. Do focus on developmental aspect 5. Do be patient and flexible in seeking consensus and agreements 5. Do be patient and flexible in seeking consensus and agreements

9 10 useful Do’s 6. Do review best-practices & experience available regionally and globally 6. Do review best-practices & experience available regionally and globally 7. Do invite renowned key-note speakers to attract attention 7. Do invite renowned key-note speakers to attract attention 8. Do involve a qualified int’l facilitator at pre-Summit phase 8. Do involve a qualified int’l facilitator at pre-Summit phase 9. Do set interactive and rich Web site 9. Do set interactive and rich Web site 10. Do E-readiness assessment 10. Do E-readiness assessment

10 And 6 Don’ts! 1. Don’t try to develop National Strategy without broad, national-level participatory debate 2. Align NSSS with major national priorities 3. Don’t focus excessively on communication infrastructure 4. Don’t forget to emphasize “for Development” aspect 5. Don’t work with the government only 6. Don’t be afraid to be ambitious