Briefing Note 2: ICT for Development Policy, Process and Governance

This briefing note focuses on information and communication for development (ICTD) policy-making and governance, and provides information about aspects of national policies, strategies, and frameworks that promote ICTD. It discusses key ICTD policy and governance issues, and shows how governments can measure their progress and benchmark that progress against those of other countries. It is published by the United Nations Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (UN-APCICT/ESCAP). It is drawn from Module 2 - ICT for Development Policy, Process and Governance, the second of eight modules of the Academy of ICT Essentials for Government Leaders.

As stated here, the process of ICT policy development requires identification of a suitable ICT development model, assessment of current laws and regulations, and analysis of stakeholders in order to find the best and most widely accepted technical solution.

• Development Models: Market-led IICTD models (e.g., telecommunications) have the following benefits: 1) boosting consumer benefits by reducing prices and increasing choice and service quality; 2) reducing the cost structure of exporting technology and of technology development and production sectors to improve competitiveness; 3) addressing the lack of flexibility and innovation in the supply-side of the economy; and 4) helping to increase employment rates through job opportunities resulting in reduced fiscal demands on social security. However, the government and civil society, through non-governmental organisation (NGOs), play a role, including: 1) serving as bridges to affected communities; 2) ensuring that projects are implemented as envisaged; 3) nurturing continuity in project work; 4) advocating for increased transparency and good governance; and 5) giving voice to vulnerable and/or marginalised groups.
  
• Relationship between Technology and Laws: Policymakers need to assess the extent to which current laws and established regulations hinder the spread of new technology and the development of new businesses (e.g., regarding the internet, there is a need to change the way the network or infrastructure is regulated. It is now possible to treat service providers as a distinct group from network facility providers.)
• Stakeholders Analysis: Multi-stakeholder ICTD policymaking is an emerging norm for promoting inclusiveness and equity, expanding analytical capability, promoting grassroots mobilisation and participation, and fostering sharing of skills and innovation. "The following steps should be considered in multi-stakeholder policymaking:
  1. Identify the main purpose of the analysis.
     
  2. Develop an understanding of the system and decision-makers in the system.
     
  3. Identify principal stakeholders.
     
  4. Investigate stakeholder interests, characteristics and circumstances.
     
  5. Identify patterns and contexts of interaction between stakeholders.
     
  6. Define options for government."

The document lists three "critical elements of any national ICTD policy: capacity development, building the ICT industry, and e-governance.

• ICT capacity development should 1) ensure that all citizens have the basic competencies through ICT literacy courses, and 2) develop specialist ICT skills through specialised training and advanced ICT courses, as well as degrees in universities and colleges.
  
• Building the ICT industry requires policies and strategies to "provide the right environment for the ICT sector - such as ICT hardware manufacturing, off-shoring and global software development, and the digital content industry - to flourish and play its role in driving social and economic development."
  
• e-Governance includes use of ICTs to improve the activities of public sector organisations. "...ICT expenditures by government can influence the overall development of the local ICT industry. and... e-government makes possible good governance. Focusing on e-government would also help lower the high failure rate of e-government projects in developing countries."

An ICT governance framework is about "specifying a decision rights and accountability framework for the desired ICT use behaviour to be met." This should include a decision-making hierarchy and reporting and monitoring process tailored to the framework. A set of framework principles detailed here includes the following:

1. "Establish clearly understood responsibilities for ICT.
   
2. Plan ICT to best support the needs of the organization.
   
3. Acquire ICT validly. Ensure that ICT acquisitions are made for the right reasons in the right way, on the basis of appropriate and ongoing analysis.
   
4. Ensure that ICT performs well whenever required.
   
5. Ensure that ICT conforms to all external regulations and complies with all internal policies and practices.
   
6. Ensure that ICT use respects human factors. Ensure that ICT meets the current and evolving needs of all of the people in the process."

In order to create an ICT framework, the document recommends the following leadership principles:

1. "Actively design governance. Management should actively design ICT governance around the enterprise's objectives and performance goals.
   
2. Know when to redesign.
   
3. Involve senior officials.
   
4. Make choices.
   
5. Clarify the exception-handling process.
   
6. Provide the right incentives.
   
7. Assign ownership and accountability for ICT governance.
   
8. Design governance at multiple organizational levels.
   
9. Provide transparency and education.
   
10. Implement a common mechanism across the six key assets (i.e. human assets, financial assets, physical assets, intellectual property, information and IT, relationships)."