COMNET-IT '95
WORKSHOP REPORT CHAPTER 10
Conclusions and Recommendations
10.1.The Need for Sustainable Information
Technology (IT) Policies and Strategies in Commonwealth Countries
10.2. National IT Policies and Strategies
in Commonwealth countries
10.3.Strategies for Planning IT
in the Public Service
10.4 Strategies for Human Resources
Development in the new Information Technologies
10. 5. Innovations in Computer Networks
and Communications for Education and Training
10.6 Developments in Information
Technologies and Global Networks
10.7. Contributions by COMNET-IT
REFERENCES
The workshop reached consensus on the
following set of conclusions and recommendations:
10.1 The Need for Sustainable Information Technology
(IT) Policies and Strategies in Commonwealth Countries
10.1.1 THE NEED FOR IT POLICIES
Considering the importance of IT as
an economic sector in its own right and as technology underpinning
the development and effective functioning of the economy and society,
a policy is required to chart the direction and provide a framework
for acquisition and effective use of IT.
The workshop recognised the existence
of an apparent dichotomy between a national IT policy and sectoral
IT policies (public and private) because of the differing perspectives
of the diversity of the actors influencing Government.
Whereas government intervention within
the public sector is a natural consequence, government intervention
beyond the public sector, to include the private sector, for example,
should remain nominal and not functional.
It is recommended that
governments focus on the development,
formulation and adoption of public sector IT policies.
10.1.2 THE NEED FOR AN ENABLING
IT POLICY
Effective and efficient telecommunication-support
for computer networks and data communications in most member countries
is hindered by the existence of outmoded regulations and technical
barriers (e.g. poor connectivity , requirement for type approval,
high utility costs). The potential opportunities of IT can best
be captured with positive policies which enable rapid progress to
be made. It is therefore recommended that
Commonwealth governments progressively
move to liberalise the IT sector with a view to bringing about
greater efficiency and competition.
10.1.3. UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Information has become a critical element
in today's society, bringing social, professional and commercial
benefits to all.
It is recommended that
Public access to information on
government services should be made available to all members of
society through the appropriate use of low-cost technologies and
services (such as community-based information centres).
10.2. National
IT Policies and Strategies in Commonwealth countries
10.2.1 THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN
MAKING AN IT POLICY
Government should be proactive in determining
the goals and objectives of its IT policy with a view to integrating
IT sectoral policies with other sectoral development plans of the
country as a whole.
It is recommended that
Commonwealth governments develop
a national IT policy, keeping in mind the needs of the country
concerned and the needs of other sectors in the economy.
10.2.2 CENTRALISED VS SECTOR_BY_SECTOR
IT POLICIES
The issue of centralised versus de-centralised
IT policy formulation depends on a number of factors. These include,
the type of government administration, the administrative culture
of the nation, size of country among others. To co-ordinate the
process of national IT policy formulation it is recommended that
a central co-ordinating body be
established at the national level comprising representatives from
economic and civic groupings. The actual definition and implementation
of policy should be on a sector by sector basis.
The co-ordination body should define
a framework within which the sectoral agencies should operate. For
example, issues in the framework could include the:
telecoms strategy (universal and
value added services);
standards for systems development;
common system applications which
will be developed centrally for all departments;
criteria for deciding on the prioritisation
of IT investments;
post implementation review procedures;
information management standards;
procurement procedures;
software sharing procedures and
buy versus build issues.
10.2.3 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Intellectual Property Rights is an
international issue that requires collective initiative and effort.
The area becomes more complex as the various media converge and
become digital. Intellectual property rights predicate an area for
which developing member countries need special focus, particularly
in the light of new and emerging developments in IT and globalisation
It is recommended that
member governments develop or
strengthen existing infrastructures, including laws, for increasing
awareness of intellectual property rights and protecting innovations
both as an economic asset and as an essential component of a country's
cultural heritage.
10.3.Strategies for Planning IT in the Public Service
In discussing IT Strategies in the
public sector, the workshop endorsed the concept of building effective
partnerships between the public sector IT function and private sector
service providers in the delivery of IT services to public sector
clients. The role of the public sector IT function should be that
of a broker, bringing together public service business users in
effective partnerships with potential suppliers.
It is recommended that
The public sector IT agency should
not be seen to compete with the private sector. Service delivery
should normally be done by the private sector where competitive
alternatives exists. The limited resources available to the government
IT function should concentrate on those needs which properly fit
the role of government: ensuring universal access, balancing competition,
developing critical mass, etc. The public service IT competency
should therefore be transformed from a focus on delivery and operations
to management and supervision.
10.4 Strategies for Human
Resources Development in the new Information
Technologies
Human resource development was seen
to be the most important issue in harnessing information technology
for social and economic development. Greater action is required
to close the gap between capacity and requirements. Sharing of experience
through seminars, workshops and electronic communication on Human
Resource Development policies about action plans, curricula and
innovative pedagogy can be extremely useful. Increasingly, the impact
of such policies are being influenced by community-based activities
which are supported by the new decentralised facilities made possible
by IT.
10.4.1 MORE RESOURCES FOR IT EDUCATION
IT education is a small part of the
general education infrastructure. It has some special characteristics
such as being resource intensive and dealing with constantly changing
technology and applications.
It is recommended that
Curricula be constantly reviewed
to reflect new developments in technology and applications .
Mechanisms are needed to provide special
focus and resources to IT education. Some suggested mechanisms are:
1. Constitution of a separate board
for IT education.
2. Delegation of enough authority
to the national computer agency (where appropriate) to influence
policies of education departments.
3. Provision of a specific budget
for IT education.
4. Mandated expenditure on training
in public sector.
5. Shared resources, greater exchange
of expertise.
6. Facilitate donation of hardware
and software for educational purposes across international and
organisational boundaries.
It is further recommended that, in
addition to COMNET-IT,
The educational resources of the
Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth of Learning be exploited
to meet critical IT educational requirements in member countries.
10.4.2 DIFFERENTIAL FOCUS OF TRAINING
The changes being introduced by IT
are fundamental and daunting. As IT becomes pervasive, there will
be a need to train and educate a variety of stake holders such as
policy makers, managers, administrators, users, IT professionals,
and citizens.
It is recommended that
education and training policies
and plans recognise the differential focus in training for a variety
of stake holders and identify appropriate delivery institutions
and programmes;
greater emphasis should be placed
on spreading IT literacy at all levels, but especially through
the school system;
Governments should encourage private
sector participation in computer education.
While the private sector can train
a large number of users, the quality of training provided varies
considerably.
It is recommended that
member governments establish accreditation
standards, through appropriate mechanisms (e.g. professional societies).
Regional co-operation in this is encouraged.
Public service managers and public
administrators should exploit all avenues to enhance their knowledge
of IT and its use.
It is recommended that
focus be put on the acquisition
of IT skills and the use of information in the work of public
service managers and administrators. This training can be integrated
with general training in management and public administration.
10.4.3 BROAD BASED COMPUTER SCIENCE
EDUCATION
It is recommended that
Computer education become broad
based and interdisciplinary, combining technology, management
and social sciences. In addition to technical knowledge and skills,
behavioural aspects need to be covered.
Conversely, there is a need for the
acculturation of the general public to the emerging information-based
world.
It is further recommended that
Member countries accord a high
priority to the acculturation of the general public to the world
of information (computer literacy).
Most countries will have to develop
new programmes and appropriate training materials to provide this
kind of education. There is some scope for sharing of teaching materials.
It is also recommended that
member countries develop material
suited to their own needs, but also take advantage of materials
which might be available from regional and international organisations
and from "public" sources such as the Internet.
10. 5. Innovations in Computer
Networks and Communications for Education and Training
The potential of IT in enhancing the
quality of delivery of general education at school levels has not
been fully recognised. Emerging interactive technologies like groupware,
networking, multimedia can alter the way education is delivered.
There is a need to sensitise educational planners to this potential
through workshops, training programmes and bulletin boards. International
agencies can facilitate this.
It is recommended that
Teachers and educational planners
become the focal point of bringing change in the education system.
Exposure to emerging IT based pedagogy, constant updating awareness
of technology should be done through teacher training programmes,
summer schools etc. Some re-orientation of computer science teachers
towards application may be required.
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the
Commonwealth of Learning can contribute by sponsoring such programmes.
10.6 Developments in Information
Technologies and Global Networks
The workshop discussed issues of infrastructure
development in its broadest sense (including technologies, applications
and software) and concluded that the role for government is in the
identification of demand, the aggregation of requirements, the stimulation
of niche markers and to act as a catalyst and a "model"
user of IT. In addition, questions of technological obsolescence
were addressed. Collaboration with others on research and the sharing
of information is essential to dealing with these issues.
It is recommended that
Commonwealth Governments consider
the implications for their countries of developments in communication
technologies and global networks. Issues to be considered include
connectivity and infrastructure development and the need to deal
with the rapid obsolescence of technology. The need to develop
mechanisms to avoid obsolescence were stressed. These might include
using technologies appropriate and relevant to the IT government
functions in developing world. In this way the government IT function
can be more responsive to technological change.
It is further recommended that
Commonwealth countries put in
place the physical and human infrastructure for the following
functionalities:
1. capacity building for technology
assessment, with focus on information technology
2. capacity building for technology
forecasting, with focus on information technology
3. capacity building for technology
upgrading, including capacity for adaptation, maintenance, repair,
reusability and reverse engineering
4. capacity building for negotiated
technology transfer.
It is also recommended that
COMNET-IT sponsor a conference
for Commonwealth countries on advances in communication and information
technologies and their current and projected applications. This
Conference would address the broad scope of technological change
including the economic impact of advances in communication technology
on the economies of Commonwealth countries. Topical issues, such
as utilising Internet in Public Administration, might also be
addressed.
10.7. Contributions by
COMNET-IT
10.7.1 ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON
GOOD PRACTICE
Some excellent publications are available
where countries have addressed key issues already and this work
could be shared across co-operating countries to provide a comparative
analysis. (e.g. Australia, Canada, USA and GB covering issues from
Performance Measurement to Market Testing of IS services).
It would be helpful, for example, if
COMNET-IT were to collect and distribute a catalogue of such works
and provide details of how to obtain copies.
It is recommended that
COMNET-IT develop mechanisms for
documenting and accessing information for the benefit of interested
parties in member countries
10.7.2 DIRECTORY OF IT POLICY MAKERS
AND KEY SERVICE AGENTS
The Secretariat should consolidate
the relationships developed at this workshop, extend the group
to include counterparts from countries not represented at this
meeting and generally facilitate dialogue, informing partners
on upcoming events and opportunities.
10.7.3 PORTFOLIO OF APPLICATIONS
Major expenditures are invested in
"re-inventing the wheel".
COMNET-IT should consider the
merits of compiling a directory of significant applications or
projects being developed or already implemented in Commonwealth
Countries, particularly those operating in open systems environments.
10.7.4 INFORMATION ON PROCUREMENT
Public-Procurement processes are typically
disproportionately long, due to, amongst other things, the need
for researching the particular domain, drawing up elaborate specifications
for invitations to tender and laborious adjudication. Most countries
are involved in broadly similar acquisitions, where Technical specifications
(in the case of hardware) and high level functionality (in the case
of applications) are likely to be very similar.
COMNET-IT may consider whether
the maintenance of information (or sources of information) on
public tenders underway or completed in Commonwealth Countries
is worth pursuing as an on-going service. Specifications do not
have to be re-invented and consultation on selection criteria
or selections made public are likely to be beneficial.
10.7.5 ACCESS TO PRICING INFORMATION
The availability of pricing information
is one of the challenges member countries face when evaluating options
for technology procurement. Several countries have developed mechanisms
for providing such information to purchasing agents.
Given an expressed interest on
the part of Commonwealth countries COMNET-IT will formalise the
mechanisms for access to databases comprising IT pricing information
and advise members accordingly.
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Canada. Connection Community Content,
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CCTA. G7 Government On-Line: Improving
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