Designing e- government for the poor

In recent years, the countries of the Asian and Pacific region have increasingly adopted e-government. E-government can be defined as the transformation of public-sector internal and external relationships through use of information and communication technology (ICT) E-government for the poor means that an e-government strategy and related policies must be aimed at bridging the digital divide, the uneven distribution and use of ICT between the poor and the rich. E-government is a tool to achieve better governance and enhance economic development.

Many nations have developed an e-government strategy, and are rapidly expanding the use and knowledge of ICT by establishing online public services and digital collaboration between government ministries. However, successful implementation of e-government remains a challenge. It requires a fundamental transformation of traditional government organiza tion, rebuilding of the infrastructure; and tremendous financial and human resources. Sustainability of e-government programmes requires policies, legislation, and a legal framework conducive to reorganizing the government and its services to the citizens.

The Regional Workshop on Designing E-government for the Poor assisted the participants to gain a better understanding of e-government, and build capacity for the planning and implementing e-government for the poor. The Workshop was intended to assist the participants in defining priorities and specific actions for progressing to e-government. The Workshop high lighted the potential of e-government and ICT to improve access for the poor to information and government services, and foster economic growth. Countries were able to share their experiences in the implementation of e-government; and discuss issues, and options for implementation. Some of the topics addressed at this Workshop included: e-government programmes for the poor, re-engineering internal processes of government/public adminis tration; factors critical to the successful implementation of e-government including e-training of government officials; stakeholder participation in e-government projects; building community and government leadership; and security and privacy issues in e-government. Participants were required to submit a proposal for implementing e-government in their countries, which could potentially be implemented.

The Regional Workshop on Designing E-Government for the Poor was organized by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The organizers would like to thank the Government of Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the private sector including International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and Microsoft for co-sponsoring this Workshop.