BUILDING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY FOR E-GOVERNMENT DATA ANALYSIS AND EVIDENCE- BASED DECISION-MAKING TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Transcription

1 Report On National Capacity Development Workshop On BUILDING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY FOR E-GOVERNMENT DATA ANALYSIS AND EVIDENCE- BASED DECISION-MAKING TO SUPPORT THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 6-7 June, 2017 Organized by Access to information (a2i) Programme and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report is an outcome of National Capacity Development Workshop on Building Institutional Capacity for e-government data analysis and evidence-based decisionmaking to support the Sustainable Development Goals organized by Access to Information (a2i) Programme and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs on 6 th and 7 th June, 2017 at Prime Minister s Office, Dhaka. We are grateful to Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Principal Coordinator (SDG), Prime Minister s Office for his presence as Chief Guest. We also express sincere gratitude to Professor Dr. Shamsul Alam, Member (Senior Secretary), General Economic Division, Planning Commission for giving us his valuable time and presence as the Special Guest. We are also grateful to Mr. Kabir Bin Anwar, Director General (Administration), Prime Minister s Office & Project Director, a2i Programme. We also would like to express sincere gratitude to Mr Richard Kerby, Senior Inter-regional Advisor, DPADM, UNDESA and Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, a2i Programme Prime Minister s Office, for gracing the workshop as Guests. 2

3 INTRODUCTION Role of e-government is critical in providing inclusive public services in areas of health, education, social service, employment, finance, environment and many other areas. Economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection, three dimensions of sustainable development are interlinked with e-government policies and programmes. Access to Information (a2i) Programme and UNDESA are jointly implementing a project entitled, Evidence-based e-government policies for advancing governmental service delivery and accountability in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the project a national level workshop was organized focusing on strengthening institutional capacity on research, gathering and analyzing e-government data and using e-government data in decision-making to support the sustainable development agenda. Moreover, the workshop focused on service delivery and accountability in support of the Sustainable Development Goals no. 1, 4, 8, 14, 16 and 17. In this regard, the workshop focused on the significant issues of SDGs on end poverty in all its forms everywhere, ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning, promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all, conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources, promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies and finally revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. OBJECTIVE Main Objective of this workshop was to build institutional capacity for e-government data analysis and data-informed decision making to support the sustainable development agenda. Specific objectives were: To improve institutional capacity to collect, use and publish relevant e- government data with indicators for analysis, monitoring and evaluation. To build the internal capacity of the participants in understanding of the use and impact of e-government data and indicators in supporting the sustainable development agenda; and To strengthen institutional capacity, technical frameworks and approaches in key institutions to implement e-government modalities (policies, strategies, etc.) in support of selected SDGs and Targets. ORGANIZATION OF THE WORKSHOP The workshop held on 6-7 June, 2017 at Karabi (Dining Hall), Prime Minioster s Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Principal SDG Coordinator, Prime Minister s Office graced the workshop as Chief Guest, whereas Professor Dr. Shamsul Alam, Senior Secretary, General Economic Division, Planning Commission; Mr. Kabir Bin Anwar, Director General (Admin), Prime Minister s Office and Project Director, Access to Information (a2i) Programme presided over the workshop. Mr. Richard Kerby, Senior Inter-Regional Advisor, Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs; Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor of Access to Information (a2i) 3

4 Programme. Among others, Mr Wai-Min Kwok, Governance and Public Administration Officer, UNDESA/DPADM; Mr. Siope Vakataki Ofa, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP and Dr. Ramiz Uddin, Head of Results Management Team attended at the workshop. Overall, senior officials from government, non-government, research and educational institutions participated at the workshop. INAUGURAL CEREMONY Photograph-01: Inauguration of the workshop Speech by Chief Guest The Chief Guest, Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Principal SDG Coordinator, Prime Minister s Office provided his speech highlighting the importance of achieving SDGs by Emphasizing on Data Gap, he underscored that there are so many data gap that need to be addressed soon. He also emphasized a platform where they can develop a SDG Tracker to monitor the progress over the period of time. Speech by Special Guests Professor Dr. Shamsul Alam, Senior Secretary, General Economic Division, Planning Commission, also expressed his opinion that workshop on SDGs are crucial to design, implement and achieve its goals. He informed that Bangladesh is committed to achieve SDGs within its timeframe. As SDGs is an global development agenda, we, all (ministries, departments, organizations) need to work on it extensively to get better results. 4

5 Photograph-02: Speech by Special Guest He also added that SDGs have given 232 indicators to measure the performance. Now it is required to develop a result based monitoring framework. However, he also emphasized on achieving goals and said that all goals are equally important. Mr. Richard Kerby, Senior Inter-Regional Advisor, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Public Administration and Development Management (UN-DESA/DPADM), elaborated the objectives of the workshop Speech by Chair Mr. Kabir Bin Anwar, Director General (Admin), Prime Minister s Office and Project Director, Access to Information (a2i) Programme highlighted SDGs 14 in his speech. He however, underscored that these workshop would help raising awareness on SDGs among policy makers, programme managers and stakeholders. Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor of Access to Information (a2i) Programme, spoke that all SDGs are equally important and any activities that we perform are interlinked with SDGs. For example- if we can eradicate poverty- which is the first goal of SDGs, we can also help achieving other goals. He informed that the workshop would focus on SDGs Tracking Progress. He emphasized that partnership for collaboration is very important. BEGINNING OF THE WORKSHOP Session 1: Setting the Scene Understanding the need for integrated plans and policies for using ICT/egovernment to support national development plans including SDGs Presentation The workshop began with a presentation by Wai-Min Kwok, Governance and Public Administration Officer, UNDESA/DPADM, titled by Overview of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the need for integrated plans and policies. In his presentation, he showed the objectives of SDGs and drawn a map between MDGs and 5

6 SDGs. He also extended the principles that guide the 2030 agenda. After his presentation, another presentation was given by Md. Monirul Islam, Deputy Chief, General Economics Division, Ministry of Planning titled by- Bangladesh s integrated implementation of SDGs and 7th 5 Year Plan. In his presentation, he extended the goals, targets, and indicators focusing on the data gap analysis. Interactive Discussion Question-Answer Session There was a question-answer session for the participants. Interactive exercise/discussion on ICTs/e-government as enabler, accelerator, and multiplier for implementation of SDGs Mr. Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor of Access to Information (a2i) Programme, also provided a presentation titled by- Digital Bangladesh-the nexus of SDGs and ICTs/e- Government. He provided an insight about a2i Programme and addressed how they work for government. Session 2a: Innovative and evidence-based approaches in using ICTs/egovernment to deliver on specific SDGs Targets Presentation Mr. Siope Vakataki Ofa, Economic Affairs Officer, ESCAP, has provided a presentation on ICTs/e-Government Innovative Practices in the Asia Pacific. Where he highlighted- Using national statistics for regional dialogue ICT-Policy development E-Commerce and ICT Access Asia Pacific After the presentation of Ofa, Md. Alamgir Hossen, Deputy Director and Project Director, Census of the Undocumented Myanmar Nationals, BBS provided another presentation titled by- Data and data based decision making for SDGs in Bangladesh where he discussed extensively some points on: Social Safety Net Programme Core Factors for Data analysis Data generation and many more. Group Discussion 6

7 Photograph-03: Group Discussion Session Participants were divided into 5 groups through which they discussed different SDGs and finally shared with all groups. Session 3: Inclusion and e-participation Presentation and Interactive Exercise At the very beginning of the 2nd day s workshop, Richard Kerby and Wai-Min Kwok from UNDESSA provided a presentation on exercise sheet. Before presentation, table wise group was formed based on SDGs-1, 4, 8, 14, 16 and 17. In this presentation, Mr. Wai Min Kwok showed an exemplary outline on which they will prepare their group presentation. The example was on- SDG-4 (Quality Education). However, after the presentation, each group got 40 munities time to prepare their planning and presentation. After preparing, group wise presentation was provided. Session 4: Statistical capacities and review process In this session, issues that were discussed; Building statistical capacities Internal and external review and monitoring Reporting, supported by data and evidence Session 5a: Defining the next steps and timeline (6-month and 12-month implementation roadmap) 7

8 Photograph-04: Framework for project design presented by Wai Min Kwok Group Presentation and Question-Answer Session After the presentations of Richard Kerby and Wai-Min Kwok from UNDESSA, there was a session for group presentation and question-answer discussion. The summary of the group presentations are given as Annexure. 8

9 Photograph-05: Group Presentation on SDG-16 Session 5b: Defining the next steps and timeline (6-month and 12-month implementation roadmap) (continued) Mr. Richard Kerby, Senior Inter-Regional Advisor, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Public Administration and Development Management (UN-DESA/DPADM), presented another power point presentation titled by- Developing Social Media Strategy for Bangladesh. In his presentation, he extended- Social media Cycle Drafting a social media strategy Capacity building Method to obtain and sending information Crowed funding Audience and so on. After his presentation, the workshop was to be closed. Some of the audiences expressed their opinion about the Workshop. 9

10 CLOSING Md. Monirul Islam, Deputy Chief, General Economic Division, Ministry of Planning, said that the workshop was very fruitful and timely effective initiative. They have enough resources and now they have learned to proceed in a particular way.at the end, Dr. Ramiz Uddin, Head of Results Management Team thanked all for their patience and being presented there. He also thanked to UNDESA for organizing such a valuable and important workshop with Access to Information (a2i) Programme, Prime Minister s Office. RESULTS ACHIEVED It was observed that the workshop has enhanced the understanding for the need of integrated plans and policies in delivering the SDGs, including through the use of ICTs/e-government for service delivery. It has also enhanced the knowledge of ICT/egovernment data and indicators in integrated implementation of the SDGs. However, the workshop was conducted successfully, and surely there achieved some results though this workshop: The workshop was participated by high-level government program managers and program officers were present. They have acquired clear idea on strengthening institutional capacity and approaches to implement e-government policies and strategies in support of selected SDGs and targets through data-informed decision-making. This is how, the high-level government program managers and program officers are sensitized through this workshop. Through this workshop, the high-level government officials could share their knowledge regarding ICT/e-government data and indicators in regards of integrated implementation of the SDGs. This would surely help them to strengthening capacity for SDGs implementation. The workshop has provided the idea regarding implementation road map to collect, use and publish relevant e-government data with indicators for analysis, monitoring and evaluation. Thus the workshop would help them to develop better planning for different government-level programs. The workshop helped to enhance the understanding for the need of integrated plans and policies in delivering the SDGs through the use of ICTs/e-government for service delivery. In this regard, it can be said that for building institutional capacity to collect, analyze and publish e-government data and develop e-government policies, directives, laws, legislations, and so on to support the Sustainable Development Goals, the workshop has achieved its objective successfully. 10

11 CONCLUSION To measure the progress as well as to achieve SDGs, collective efforts are needed from all partners and stakeholders. This type of workshop is critical to get idea, design and implement programs, and measuring progress on SDGs. Therefore, it needs to organize more workshops like this to ensure the successful achievement of SDGs by This type of workshop will also be helpful for ensuring e-government development index which will also help to enhance the performance of Bangladesh in the UN e-government development ranking. Photograph-06: Closing Session Annexure 1. Schedule 2. List of Participants 3. Group work by Participants 11