in the transition context

Transcription

1 INTERSECTORAL GOVERNANCE & ICT PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION in the transition context by Mr. Alexei Tikhomirov Chief, Asia & Transition Economies Unit, UNDESA

2 Rationale & Major Factors behind Intersectoral Governance (ISG) A new role of the government that relies less on state intervention, and more on market forces brought about by deregulation, decentralization, liberalization and privatization. Growing importance of the newly established private sector not only in the economic sectors of growth, but also in developmental activities in the social sector. Newly established civil-society organizations (CSOs), including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are emerging as active participants in public policy processes during the transition period. Resulting from this is engaged governance that is increasingly encouraging the inter-organizational networks of state and nonstate sectors jointly involving in these processes.

3 Actions Needed toward transition countries Promote understanding of the concept of ISG and its role in good governance Define the framework for building partnership among the government, private sector and CSOs/NGOs to solve socioeconomic problems Constitute relationships between major partners at different stages of decision-making Develop organizational forms of partnership for design and implementation of socioeconomic and ICT programs

4 Purposes of EG arrangements Non-State Inputs formulation implementation monitoring public programs and policies

5 Decision-Making Stages at the national level Organizations Exposing a problem Working out a program Realizing a program Higher governing bodies (President Parliament etc.) Govt. Sector Ministries/ Agencies Local (provincial) governing bodies Business Sector Large, Small & Medium Business Civil Society Sector CSOs (NGOs, unions, public chambers etc.)

6 ISG Framework Institutional/Organizational Aspects Technological Aspects

7 Institutional/Organizational Aspects New Role for the Government is manifested in: Establishing policy predictability, stability & continuity Ongoing debureaucratization of the state Improved quality of public expenditures Introduction of social insurance Fiscal incentives to promote investment & employment Reforms of financial regime New legal framework for private enterprises

8 Institutional/Organizational Aspects Trends going on in transitional economies Private sector finds itself increasingly engaged in activities embraced by the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) including but not limited to delivery of government policy initiatives, location and general business activity in deprived communities, involvement in publicprivate partnerships, provision of mainstream public services

9 Institutional/Organizational Aspects Trends going on in transitional economies Civil society expands gradually its network of organizations such as professional associations, NGOs, political parties, labor unions engaged in fulfilling watchdog (moral, social, democratic) and development functions by means of promotion and protection of among other things social rights, equality, freedom, peace, justice, transparency and consensus-building.

10 Institutional/Organizational Aspects Challenges facing emerging socially active sectors (private sector) Although CSR is considered to be a business led initiative government still must be involved Governments need to create legislative mechanisms at the national and local levels whereby business and labor can bargain collectively to improve conditions in a company

11 Institutional/Organizational Aspects Challenges facing emerging socially active sectors (civil society) Legal space needs to be delineated for the operation of civil society organizations Poor policy implementation and low absorption capacity due to a shortage of qualified human resources and lack of incentives to cooperate Scarcity of financial resources

12 Technological Aspects I Exposure of of the the problem II Working out out the the program Decision Making Process III Implementation of of the the program

13 Technological Aspects 10 Steps in Decision-Making Process I Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Identification/exposure of a problem Formation of a special intersectoral commission Formulation of major objectives Designation of a responsible agency

14 Technological Aspects 10 Steps in Decision-Making Process II III Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 8: Step 9: Step 10: Working out a program Development of a program Assessment of a program Issuance of a document Implementation of a program Review of results

15 Kyzgyzstan Case Study Intersectoral Governance and a strategy of ICT for Development in Kyrgyzstan. The Government of Kyrgyz Republic, in collaboration with UNDESA, UNDP and other UN agencies and various partners undertaken studies and organized a National ICT Summit to encourage the formulation of consistent national policy in this area. The focus was on the users of ICT and its potential for encouraging better governance, promoting education and reducing poverty. Based on the expertise in the field of ICT and development, UNDESA provided advisory services on ICT and socio-economic policy and provided assistance with the organization of the national summit. The summit had as its focus five main areas, to which UNDESA made the following contributions: - Making an overview of ICT in the country; - Identifying problems and opportunities with information technology; how ICT can impact the development of nations; - Identifying public-private partnerships and policies to spur the growth of the sector; - Identifying areas and sectors, which could benefit from the application of ICT; - Delivering a blueprint for a national ICT strategy. UNDESA executed a project for overall ICT policy development in Kyrgyzstan, including inputs for preparation of ICT summit. UNDESA contributed the following substantive and organizational skills: - Identifying and fielding consultants to undertake requisite studies and research regarding the current situation in Kyrgyzstan; - Establishing the national and international context for the utilization of ICT, with particular emphasis on the work currently being undertaken within the United Nations system; J - Providing experience regarding utilization of new technologies for social and economic policy development; - Identifying and mobilizing social actors and groups with special needs who could contribute to the development of ICT nationally, and who would benefit from increased access to ICT; - Developing and strengthening public-private partnerships for development of ICT, with particular emphasis on provision of social services and related information; - Seeking to expand networks, at both regional and international levels, and in both public and private sectors, to promote the spread of ICT in the country. Representatives of all sectors participated in discussions on the strategy of ICT for Development at the National Summit devoted to elaboration of the ICT strategy.

16 Concluding Remarks Conceptualizing ISG Review of the Legal/Regulatory Framework Market-based Incentives for ISG Recording Public-Private Partnership Provisioning Social Services Strengthening & Capacity Building of NGOs