1. Emmanuel Njenga Njuguna
Association for Progressive Communications
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

2. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Outline
ICTs and role in Development
ICT Policy and ICT Strategy
Models of policy and strategy development
Involving civil society in ICT Policy
CS challenges
Conclusions
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

3. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Importance of ICT
G8 Okinawa Charter
“Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is one of the most potent forces in shaping the twenty-first century. Its revolutionary impact affects the way people live, learn and work and the way government interacts with civil society. ICT is fast becoming a vital engine of growth for the world economy. It is also enabling many enterprising individuals, firms and communities, in all parts of the globe, to address economic and social challenges with greater efficiency and imagination. Enormous opportunities are there to be seized and shared by us all.
The essence of the ICT-driven economic and social transformation is its power to help individuals and societies to use knowledge and ideas. Our vision of an information society is one that better enable people to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.”
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

4. Role of ICT in Development
ICT plays a great role at both the micro and national level by increasing the effectiveness and reach of development interventions, enhancing good governance and lowering the costs of service delivery
The integration of ICT into overall national development strategies can help facilitate implementation, expand the scope and coverage, and increase the results for most of these factors. Moreover, development goals cannot be achieved by government efforts alone.
The involvement of civil society and the private sector is crucial.
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

5. ICT for empowerment and participation
Citizens are encouraged to participate in the democratic process through ICT mechanisms such as electronic forums and bulletin boards, which enable participation in public discussions
ICT can contribute to fostering empowerment and participation and making government processes more efficient and transparent by encouraging communication and information-sharing among people and organizations, and within government. – case studies in India – Andhra Pradesh
ICT enables solution sharing between local people and communities, providing access to practical information
Organizations in developing countries also find it increasingly feasible to participate in information-sharing that strengthens governance and collective power, allowing them to influence political and institutional decision-making processes.
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

6. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Use
Provision
Access
Participation
Awareness
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

7. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Participation
Recognition that ICT is a key development enabler not just a technology for use and participation in ICT development should be ensured
What is an enabler? A means to an end not an end in itself. ICT enables other service provision (eg telemedicine, training, education etc)
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

8. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Provision and Access
PROVISION: The removal of obstacles to the provision of ICT through participation initiatives need to be balanced with protection of community and ensuring confidence in services
ACCESS: Access to ICT will enable and can be used as leverage towards greater empowerment and a more equitable future for poorer communities
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

9. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Use and Awareness
USE: ICT should be able to be used just like any other medium. However ICT also raises particular issues that need to be addressed (eg new criminal activity, copyright issues)
AWARENESS: Access to ICT is crucially dependent on education, public awareness, targeted useful technology
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

10. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
National ICT Policy
A tool to promote national vision and the basis for the legislation and regulation through which it is implemented
The ICT policy will benefit all citizens
It will encourage wider ownership in all forms
It will be transparent and therefore decisions taken are open to scrutiny
Government will consult those most affected by the policy
The ICT policy will be action-oriented and make things happen
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

11. Models of Policy and Strategy development
PROACTIVE: Policy mapping model
identify important policy issues
‘map’ policy issues to legislation
REACTIVE: Legal issues model
as legal issues arise, develop legislation
CO-OPERATIVE: Co-operative model
identify important policy and legal issues
develop ICT Laws as outputs
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

12. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Vietnam ICT Policy
Infrastructure
Human
Resources
Applications
(E-issues)
Manufacturing
Government
Enterprises
Users
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

13. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
ICT Laws in Vietnam
4 pillars
Infrastructure
Human
Resources
Applications
(E-issues)
Manufacturing
ICT
LAWS ?
How ?
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

14. Thailand Pro-active model
Policy priorities
Law outputs
e-Society
e-Education
e-Government
e-Commerce
e-Industry
Electronic Transactions Law
Electronic Signatures Law
Electronic Fund Transfers Law
Computer Crimes Law
Data Protection Law
National Information Infrastructure Law
Information Technology Laws Development Project
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

15. Manufacturing and infrastructure
Identify policy and legal issues
Investment environment
Sectoral reform in infrastructure industries
Others, eg inadequate Intellectual Property and competition law protection
Business Enterprise Law
Taxation Laws
Foreign and Domestic Investment Laws
Ordinance on Posts and Telecommunications
Sector reform in broadcasting and print sectors
Intellectual Property Laws
Competition Laws
Others?
Map to legislation
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

16. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Applications
Applications
Identify policy and legal issues
e-Enablement
Rights and protections for society
Map to legislative issues
Equivalency of electronic forms
Recognition of digital forms (signatures, electronic funds)
Licensing/Registration for particular uses (eg telemedicine etc)
Controls over certain ICTs (eg online gambling)
Censorship and national security
Computer crimes
Data protection/privacy
Defamation
Liability of ISPs
Intellectual property
Anti-spamming
Policy of development of e-society through e-applications, e-Government, e-commerce
Institutional responsibilities for development of ICT
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

17. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Human resources
Human Resources
Identify policy issues
Policy priorities and development
Map to legislative issues
Recognition and statement of policy priorities and development
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

18. National ICT Strategies
ICT as a sector
policies which focus on the development and/or strengthening of ICT-related industries such as computer hardware, software, telecommunications equipment and ICT-enabled services.
ICT as an enabler to social-economic development
the adoption of holistic, cross-sector strategies which aim to harness the uniqueness of ICT to accelerate a wider development process.
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

19. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Case Studies
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

20. Producing Vs Use of ICTs
Focus on use and enablement of ICTs
“For most developed countries, the contribution of ICT—using sectors is much stronger than the contribution of IT producing sectors.”
“ICT-using countries tend to benefit more than IT-producing countries, because IT producing countries lose some of the gains through deteriorating terms of trade.”
“Historical experience suggests the main beneficiaries of technological revolutions have been the users”
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

21. Involving Civil Society In ICT Policy

22. National Policy and Strategies
Three stakeholders involved
Government, Private sector, Civil Society
Civil Society Involvement
In today’s information society access to ICTs is a basic human right, a right which should be protected and extended
A successful policy depends on how people use the new tools that become available to them
Is there evidence of civil society involvement in ICT decision making processes ?
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

23. Issues and civil society concerns
Influencing policy (lobbying and advocacy)
Monopolies, competition and universal service
Privacy rights and internet users
Policy implementation and monitoring (linking policy to legislation and regulatory aspects
Gender and marginalised groups
Content and language
Intellectual property – transformation of IP regimes to ensure equitable access and stimulate innovation
Open source and free software
Open knowledge sharing
Freedom of expression and censorship
Privacy and security
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

24. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
CS Challenges
Internal organization
Representation issues
Limited involvement of CSOs in ICT issues
CSOs that could be involved in ICT policies are focused on other sectoral issue – public, private, educational and others
While there are some successes, civil society participation has been ad-hoc and often delivered through individual experts rather than through representative voices of civil society groups.
No channels exist for civil society participation
Involving civil society in ICT Policy

25. Involving civil society in ICT Policy
Conclusions
Exploit existing links - Local, regional and international organizations offering support
Organization of ICT civil society sector internally through the establishment of a national ICT forum – avoid competition
Linkage with CSOs with broader development goals in order to build awareness of ICTs
Increasing understanding of government processes, lobbying and public relations
Involving civil society in ICT Policy