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Enabling participation with ICT

Beyond transmission of information, ICT tools, when networked, can enhance individual, firm and national productivity, broaden the market access of entrepreneurs and businesses, and improve government service delivery.

ICT provides an opportunity to broaden public participation in government by crossing geographical and other boundaries (such as time, social and economic exclusion) ["Global Diffusion of ICT: A Progress Report", Fiona Paua, World Economic Forum] ICT, however, is an enabler or facilitator, not an end in itself.

Examples of how ICT can provide opportunities for public and business to participate in government are presented in the following table.

Examples of Information Communication Technologies		Examples of participation
Web-based tools workspaces 3	chat rooms	interaction on service design and delivery
	portals	access to government information
	workspaces	enable access to information, consultation on issues and engagement with government agencies
	e-mail	contribute views on policy, service design and delivery make written submissions to select committees exchange information with an agency to receive a service
MP3 MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3 is a standard technology and format for compressing a sound sequence into a very small file. Several Web sites are promoting MP3 as both a high-quality audio format and as a way in which self-publishers can gain ready access to an audience.		enable digital audio sessions
kiosks		access government information transact to receive a govt service
cellular mobile telephones		vote online transact with government such as e-payments text messaging
television receivers and cable television		access government information vote online
telephone		pay for services access call centres for service access government information
fax		make submissions exchange information to receive a service
"key" technology e.g. smart cards, PKI, etc.		authentication to seek access to secure services that involve personal or financial information

The table illustrates that there are various technologies available for the public and business to participate with government. A multi-channel access mix with a range of different contact points: government office, help desk, telephone hotline, shops, internet will improve access to services and provide further opportunities to interact with government. ["Top of the Web Survey on quality and usage of public e-services", November 2003] "New technologies are being used not only to deliver services to the public but also to enhance government administration and facilitate businesses." ["The Information Society: The Role of Information in the Emerging Global E-government, E-governance and E-democracy environments", Thomas B Riley, Chair/Executive Director, Commonwealth Centre for Electronic Governance, Canada, April 16 2003]

The EGU commissioned a scoping study to determine if an all-of-government channel strategy is needed to advise government agencies on the future development and implementation of service delivery through multiple channels. The EGU is considering the findings from that study, and the next steps required to implement the E-government Strategy and support e-services development.

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Enabling participation with ICT