Capacity Development Workshop on Open Government Data Sensitization, Gap Assessment and Strategic Planning July 28-30, 2015 Panama City, Panama Aide Memoire A. Background and Context 1. The Capacity Development Workshop is being organized under the project of Strengthening of Capacities of Developing Countries to Provide Access to Information for Sustainable Development through Open Government Data (OGD), implemented by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) in partnership with the Autoridad Nacional de Transparencia y Acceso a la Información (ANTAI) with the collaboration of Autoridad Nacional para la Innovación Gubernamental (AIG) of the government of Panama. It will assist with development of an open data strategy, establishment of an open data community, improving the technological knowledge and skills of required stakeholders, and the monitoring and evaluation of the open data initiative. Pilot actions and their thematic policy focus will be developed in partnership with national partners. Priority will be given to thematic areas relevant to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals including MDGs and forthcoming SDGs. These may include public expenditure and budgeting data, environmental data, healthcare data, procurement data, demographic data, socio-economic indicators, geographical data and local transportation data. 2. Opening government data is fundamentally about more efficient use of resources and improving service delivery for citizens. The effects of open data utilization are potentially far reaching for sustainable development with positive impact on innovation, transparency, accountability, participatory governance and economic growth. The level of accessibility and use of data in some countries has been reasonably broad and made enormous progress in recent years. Many countries, including developing countries, however, are lagging behind. The barriers impeding the open government data initiatives in can be grouped into four main categories: (a) weak policies, (b) low human resource capacity, (c) limited technological knowledge, and (d) low engagement and outreach to the broader public and the private sector. In addition, the government organizations face privacy and security concerns and have to balance those with the public interest in opening data. 3. There is a need for a coherent vision and strategic framework for funding open data initiatives and for promoting the use of open data. This is, in part, a result of a limited understanding
of the technologies required to deliver open data, and the misperception that open data is an extra activity rather than integral part government organizations day to day activities. 4. Open data requires change across multiple large organizations. Some countries do not always have comprehensive data inventories and so face challenges identifying the data they could make available. Similarly, they own large amounts of data and face capacity challenges when reviewing, releasing and maintaining open data. The efforts to change often create indifference and resistance from members of these organizations. Government organizations also face challenges establishing effective processes to engage with the diverse community of potential open data users and funders, and dedicate limited efforts and resources to promoting open data to potential users. In addition, the knowledge about how to create and use open data is concentrated within a small community, both within government and the broader public. 5. In order to enhance open government data an enabling environment with coherent legal and policy framework should be established. The human resources and technological capacities should be strengthened to implement open data initiatives while the government proactively engage CSOs and private sector in expanding the community of open data users. This can be done by increasing awareness of senior and middle-level government officials in OGD-related issues, by providing support in human resource capacity building, and assisting officials with the implementation of opening data initiatives on technological level. B. Mandate 6. Strengthened data and statistics for transparency and accountability are critical for the identification of development opportunities and improved decision-making purposes. Facing increased complexity in addressing development challenges the United Nations Member States reiterate the importance of good governance and effective institutions, as well as broad public participation as a fundamental prerequisite for the achievement of sustainable development. To enable active participation of citizens in public life, the access to information and open government data becomes crucial. 7. Taking a cue from this, DESA/DPADM is supporting interested governments of developing countries in applying ICTs to enhance citizen engagement in public policy and decision-making processes through improved access to information and open government data. The DESA/DPADM provides secretariat support to the United Nations Programme on Public Administration and Finance. It assists the Member States of the United Nations in fostering efficient, effective, transparent, accountable, clean and citizen-centred public governance, administration and services through innovation and technology to achieve the internationally agreed development goals. 8. In May 2012, DESA/DPADM in collaboration with ITU organized a capacity development workshop entitled Future Government: A Global Perspective in Connection to Open Government Data and Citizen Engagement in Geneva, Switzerland. The discussion was continued and intensified with a focus on Using Data for Transparency, Accountability and Collaboration at a workshop coorganized with the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) of South Africa in October 2012 in Cape Town. At these events, several participants addressed the need for OGD policies and strategic framework for capacity development in publishing and analysing data. In this context, the project on Strengthening of Capacities of Developing Countries to Provide Access to Information for Sustainable Development through Open Government Data (OGD) fills in a crucial gap illustrating new value-added products and services that can be derived from open government data. By using multiple channels like national workshops/trainings, and exchange of best available international practices in the field of OGD, DESA/DPADM, in collaboration with the national government and
other key stakeholders, will aim at enhancing national capacities in the selected developing countries. 9. Moreover, the project responds to a recommendation by the United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA), an independent technical advisory body to the Secretary- General on the UN Programme on public administration and finance. In its report of the 2013 session (contained in the Economic and Social Council Resolution 2013/44), CEPA encouraged member states to continue to support capacity-building in public governance and institutionbuilding at all levels by, inter alia, encouraging innovation in the public service, fully harnessing the potential of information and communications technologies in all areas of government, engaging citizens and encouraging public participation in managing development. CEPA further requested the Secretariat to assist in the implementation of the Plan of Action adopted by the World Summit on the Information Society at its first phase, held in Geneva from 10 to 12 December 2003, and the Tunis Agenda for the Information Society, adopted by the Summit at its second phase, held in Tunis from 16 to 18 November 2005, on issues related to e-government, e-participation, mobile government, open government data, the use of information and communications technologies in parliaments and the Internet Governance Forum. C. Objectives of the Capacity Development Workshop 10. The objectives of the national capacity development workshop (CDW) are: (a) Sensitize national stakeholders on the OGD concept and requirements as well as to demonstrate the intended uses and potential for stimulating OGD in development planning and management (b) Integrate information on the initial gap assessment (conducted through online survey) with further information on capacity needs for OGD as emerging from dialogue and interaction among workshop participants, and (c) Identify the demand for relevant datasets and carry out strategic planning on the next steps required for advancing OGD initiatives based on the country context. 11. The government of Panama is currently engaged in achieving the goals of the First Open Government Partnership National Action Plan (OGP NAP) from 2011-2014 (please confirm) and is willing to initiate consultations with the key national stakeholders in the field of OGD. D: Thematic Focus and Structure of the Capacity Development Workshop 12. To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the 3-day CDW will aim at sensitizing the new high level authorities, engaging with the kay OGD ecosystem stakeholders 13. The thematic focus of the workshop includes the following (please feel free to change/add): What, Why and How of open government and open data, Best practices of open data publication, use and reuse from the region and world Opening data and LAC regional roadmap OGD current situation in Panama Demand for and availability of datasets in Panama Making the National Action Plan operational. 14. The workshop is targeting the high and mid-level government authorities, as well as the OGD ecosystem stakeholders. It offers opportunities for questions and answers after experts presentations to allow for a broader understanding on specific OGD topics.
15. The workshop will be structured around key plenary sessions and working group discussions, which will cover at least the following five thematic areas (please feel free to change/add): National OGD Strategy and Regulatory framework Use and Impact of OGD/ promotion of the use of OGD OGD for Heath and Public Services OGD for Environment Sector, and Thematic focus area proposed by CDW participants. Under the guidance of pre-assigned facilitators, each working group will convene to discuss specific pre-selected issues and report back to the plenary on the results of deliberations. Finally, the last part of the workshop is dedicated to analyze and discuss about the next actions in preparation for the national substantive training scheduled to take place in Panama from 21 to 25 September 2015. 16. For further information on the programme see the annex 1 of this document (to be attached). E: Participants 17. The workshops will target government decision-makers - senior and mid-rank government officials, including, but not limited to chief information officers (or equivalent), information privacy commissioners, officials from procurement divisions, statisticians, and other relevant government officials from ministries and governmental institutions responsible for selected policies (e.g. Ministries of Planning, Planning Commissioners, Ministries of Finance, Health, Local Government, etc.). Other potential beneficiaries include the private sector, CSO and media outlets representatives in Panama who will later on participate in OGD related trainings to enhance skills in using OGD. 18. If applicable, interested self-funded participants will also be included to increase networking and partnership arrangement within a South-South cooperation framework. 19. Attendance to the workshop will be per invitation only. DESA/DPADM is working closely with the national counterpart ANTAI, in collaboration with AIG, to have a selected group of approximately 54 national senior government officials, representatives of civil society organizations and private sector, research institutions and other stakeholders from Panama having significant direct experience or deep knowledge on the open government data issues. F: Outcomes and Outputs 20. The workshop is expected to have the following outcomes: Increased awareness of the government officials and decision-makers on important OGD issues, including the requirements and strategic priorities for advancing OGD initiatives in Panama Enhanced knowledge and shared information for all participants, particularly on issues related to the potential benefits of the use of OGD. Informed decision about the availability of key datasets as identified in the Open Data Barometer or the Open Data Index, including: Transport, Government Budget, Government Spending, Election Results, Company Register, National Map, National Statistics, Legislation, Postcodes / Zip Codes, Pollutant Emissions, etc. Identification and agreement regarding datasets to be shared in open data formats Greater awareness of obstacles and opportunities regarding OGD in Panama Strategic planning on action required in preparation for the September national substantive training 21. The expected outputs of the workshop include: Analytical report, produced at the end of the workshop, summarizing deliberations, conclusions and recommendations. The draft report will be circulated for comments among all
participants, and subsequently the final report will be published and disseminated for the general public OGD Online Assessment Tool to assist practitioners to assess minimum requirements for implementation of open government data initiatives Gap assessment in advancing the OGD situation in Panama Outline of main topics and OGD-related issues to be addressed at the September national substantive training G: Venue and Dates 22. The 3-Day Workshop will be held on 28-30 July, 2015 at the Procuraduría General de la Administración de Panama in Panama City, Panama. H: Organization 23. The UN DESA is collaborating closely with ANTAI in Panama in collaboration with AIG, in implementing the project overall, and this CDW in particular. DPADM/DESA is also engaging the Economic and Social Commission for Latin America (ECLAC) and the UNDP country office in Panama. 24. The workshop will be conducted in Spanish For further information please contact: Mr. Antonio Lam Jefe de la Oficina de Cooperación Técnica Internacional (ANTAI) Edificio 713, Ancón Tel: (+507) 520-0137 Panama City PANAMA Carlos Diaz Director, Autoridad Nacional para la Innovación Gubernamental (AIG) Calle 61 y Av. Ricardo Arango, Edificio Sucre, Arias y Reyes, Nivel 300 Urb. Obarrio, Corregimiento de Bella Vista Panamá, República de Panamá Number +507 520-7400 Ms. Elia Armstrong Chief, Acting Chief, Development Management Branch Email: armstronge@un.org Ms. Valentina resta Senior Governance and Public Administration Officer Development Management Branch E-mail: restav@un.org Ms. Elvira Cachola Development Management Branch E-mail: cachola@un.org