INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON
"BEST PRACTICE IN ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT"
sponsored by the Government of Malaysia and
the Commonwealth Secretariat and
Organised by COMNET-IT jointly with
the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation
and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU)
8 - 10 DECEMBER 1998

About the Symposium

A growing number of Commonwealth and other countries are at the forefront in harnessing the full benefits of the multimedia and information technology revolution to spearhead changes in core areas of government and in Government to citizen/business interaction. In the case of Malaysia, Electronic Government was launched as one of the seven premier flagship applications to catalyse the development of the Malaysian Multimedia Super-Corridor. Against this backdrop, the proposed symposium and close collaboration with COMNET-IT will provide a rare opportunity for bringing together a synergy of knowledge and experiences on the use of IT and multimedia as drivers in promoting new initiatives in administrative reform and re-inventing government.

This event, together with an associated series of policy-workshops and publications by COMNET-IT, complemented and enhanced the efforts of the Commonwealth Secretariat and those of CAPAM (the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management) in capability-building in Public Administration through the development and sharing of Best Practice Guidelines.

Target Audience

This symposium was intended to be of considerable interest to a wide spectrum of both administrative and IT policy-makers, including elected officials. Treatment of the issues and opportunities was in a non-technical style. The event was also of interest to private-sector individuals as well as persons from the academia who needed to gain insights into the opportunities and issues facing modern government.

Objectives of the Symposium

The objectives of this event were to:

- provide a unique opportunity to explore the challenging role of IT in meeting the future needs of government; indeed as a change-agent and driver presenting new opportunities;

- provide a forum for senior officials - from both Commonwealth and other countries, as well as from development agencies - to network with each other

- mark the launch by COMNET-IT of an on-going development and forum on the subject through the use of printed and internet-based media.

Awards

A limited number of awards, were provided through the Management and Training Services Division (MTSD) of the Commonwealth Secretariat, for participants from Commonwealth developing countries selected by their national governments. The awards covered cost of accommodation on bed and breakfast basis, workshop lunches and coffees, workshop fee and a modest subsistence supplement. Airfares, insurance and other travel related expenses (including airport transfers in Malaysia) will be the responsibility of the participants or their organisation.

Nominations and Enquiries

Acceptance of applications/nominations for assisted delegates was decided by MTSD in consultation with COMNET-IT.

MAMPU

The Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) was established as a central agency in May 1977 within the Prime Minister’s Department. It is entrusted with the task of introducing reforms in public administration to upgrade the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the Malaysian public sector in accordance with national goals.

MAMPU is the prime mover and agent of change in formulating ideas for administrative modernisation and reforms. It performs the role of advisor to the Government in the area of organisational management and it facilitates the implementation of administrative improvement programmes, as well as consultancy to public sector agencies for organisational development. MAMPU is also the central agency for information technology and office automation, whereby it provides technical and management expertise in these areas in the form of feasibility studies and tender evaluation services.