The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development (C1)

1.1National e-strategies

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  Australia’s National Broadband Strategy has been developed through a partnership between the Australian Federal Government and the State and Territory governments to formulate and coordinate policy amongst the different levels of governments. It is hoped that it will lead to improved broadband infrastructure across Australia, ensuring that all Australians have fair and reasonable access to broadband and its benefits, particularly regarding price and location.
  
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  Austria’s e-Strategy focuses on principles of accessibility, interoperability, open interfaces, the use of internationally recognized standards, technological neutrality, security, transparency and scalability. Electronic services are offered by organisations, institutions or companies operating in various sectors, such as health, commerce, administration, education, science and culture. The services of public administrations are based on a common set of rules, standards and interfaces, as well as infrastructure.
  
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  In Benin, the elaboration of a policy and strategy document for ICTs has been the outcome of an extensive and inclusive process, involving government ministries and other state institutions, the private sector, NGOs and foreign embassies and investors, with the assistance of the UNDP.
  
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  The Government of the Republic of Bulgaria has developed the iBulgaria initiative to provide modern and efficient governance to meet the real needs of citizens and businesses, at any time and from any place. The main role of e-government is to meet the general public’s needs for high-quality and accessible public services. New types of communication platforms and devices will be established, based on a “one-stop-shop” principle.
  
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  The Information Society Programme in Finland was launched in September 2003. The objectives of this programme are fully in line with the outcome of the Geneva phase of the WSIS. The aim of the programme is to boost competitiveness and productivity, to promote social and regional equality and to improve citizens´ well-being and quality of life through effective utilisation of ICTs. The programme also aims to maintain Finland's status as one of the leading producers and users of ICTs in the world. The main mission of the programme is to make the benefits of an Information Society available to all.
  
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  In Japan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) is working to develop the policy package necessary to realize a ubiquitous network society, which enables people to access the network easily “anytime, anywhere, with anything and for anyone” , and in which communication is conveniently and freely available. This policy proposal (u-Japan) was discussed at the WSIS Thematic Meeting: “Toward the realisation of a ubiquitous network society” held in Tokyo, 16-17 May 2005.
  
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  The Ministry for Investment, Industry & Information Technology of Malta has drafted the National ICT Strategy. The strategy is based on two main tenets: i) The enhancement of the Maltese Information Society and economy, thereby making the Maltese experience a best practice to be followed by other countries; ii) The strengthening of ICTs in government, not only to improve service delivery, but also as a tool to extend democracy, accountability and realize efficiency gains. The strategy is supported by a list of projects in a ‘programme of works’ document covering 2004-2006.
  
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  In Mauritania, with the assistance of ITU, the elaboration of a policy and strategy document for ICTs has been the outcome of an extensive and inclusive process, involving government ministries and other state institutions, international organisations, private sector, NGOs and investors.
  
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  New Zealand’s Digital Strategy is about creating a digital future for all New Zealanders, using the power of ICTs to enhance all aspects of our lives and realise economic, environmental, social and cultural goals. It is built around the key enablers: Content (information we can access that can enrich the quality of our lives); Confidence (the skills to use ICTs and a secure environment in which to do so); Connection (getting access to and using ICTs); and the roles of the agents of change: communities, business and government.
  
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  In Norway, the Ministry of Modernisation has announced its “eNorway 2009 – the digital leap” programme, which is intended to support government policy for financial growth and increased value creation, prosperity and welfare development and change in the public sector.
  
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  Oman has created its Digital Oman Society and e-Government strategy, which was approved by the Ministerial National Information Technology Committee on 30th November 2002. It reflects the adoption and integration of digital technologies at home, work, education and recreation.
  
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  For Poland, one of the key challenges of the ePoland strategy for the development of the Information Society, 2004-2006, is to develop a competitive, knowledge-based economy to improve the quality of its citizens’ lives. Priority is given to public administration services and the development of diverse and valuable Internet content. The initial aim is that every secondary school graduate in Poland should be able to work with a computer and the Internet and should be aware of the advantages of electronic communication. A secondary aim is to make teleworking more widespread.
  
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  In May 2005, Singapore initiated iN2015, Singapore's 10-year masterplan, to grow the infocomm sector and to use infocomm technologies to enhance the competitiveness of key economic sectors and build a well-connected society. The development of 'iN2015' is a national co-creation effort by all who have a stake in Singapore. It will identify new possibilities for Singapore’s industries, economy and society through the innovative use of infocomm technologies. The iN2015 masterplan is scheduled to be launched in 2006.
  
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  On 20 November 2002, the Government of Sri Lanka launched a national ICT programme (e-Sri Lanka), with the objective of using ICTs to foster social integration, peace, growth, and poverty reduction. This will be achieved by using ICTs to improve the reach and responsiveness of public services, reduce transaction costs to business, make government more transparent and accountable and address the urgent needs of poor communities and isolated regions.
  
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  On 4 August 2004, the Government of Samoa agreed a national ICT strategy (e-Samoa) with the vision of making ICTs available to every Samoan. The national policy has four guiding principles focussing on: human resources; infrastructure development; cooperation between stakeholders; and appropriate policy and regulation. It is the outcome of a consultation process started in 2002, when a National ICT Committee was established. The members of the Committee have participated actively in the WSIS and consulted extensively with the wider community of business entities, NGOs, village mayors and presidents of all the women's committees in Samoa.