E-Governance 2007: A Distance Learning Course

Purpose

This course will introduce typical e-government services to the participants, after examining advantages and challenges of e-government programs. The participants will be able to develop strategies of introducing/improving e-government programs, after reviewing several cases in other countries. They will also develop an e-government portal (website), using open source software.

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Background

This course is based on ADBI-produced lecture CD-ROMs.

E-government has the potential to improve efficiency and transparency in the public sector, and to promote greater accountability of the government. It is a tool for better governance that helps limit corruption, minimizes bureaucratic inefficiency and time in processing government services, and brings citizens, especially the poor, closer to government processes. E-government can also enhance the quality of life through inclusive public services for all. Therefore, many governments in the Asian and Pacific region are introducing e-government, as it has the potential to improve efficiency and transparency in the public sector.

However, there is a considerable number of challenges to introducing and implementing e-government programs. A leading challenge is that poor and rural communities lack access to information and communications technology (ICT) and knowledge of its usage. Before an e-government system can be put in place, the government must be reorganized, innovative policies administered, and a legal framework for ICT established, and the citizens must be educated and trained. It implies modernization and reorganization of government work and responsibilities.

ICT has enormous potential to improve the livelihoods of low income people by reducing the cost of providing services to traditionally marginalized communities and facilitating the build up of constructive social capital. ICT contributes to poverty reduction by enhancing the efficiency of the economy, enabling better delivery of public services, and creating new employment opportunities for the poor and disabled. Access to information plays a crucial role in improving living conditions of the poor. ICT promotes integration of isolated communities into the global economy.

While the benefits of e-government are growing, there remains a need for a better understanding and assessment of its impacts and roles. It is also important to note that ICT is only a tool, and not an end in itself, and also is not a substitute for bad governance. Significant resources are required to implement e-government. The sharing of knowledge and experience will help countries to reduce costs and avoid mistakes while introducing and implementing e-governance. It is especially important for countries that plan to establish community information centers in the near future.

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Objectives

After completing the course successfully, the participants will be able to:

• Identify successful e-government services for poverty reduction;
• Identify issues in providing e-government services in rural areas;
• Develop an e-government portal with video conferencing system;
• Develop project proposals for introducing e-procurement system; and
• Develop appropriate strategies for implementing e-government programs.

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Outputs

• Well-trained government officials in providing e-government services.
• Developed e-government websites.
• Realistic strategies for introducing e-procurement services.
• Course proceedings.

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Participants

This course is offered free of charge.Participants are decision makers in government ministries of rural development, economy, planning, communications, and local governments. Interested persons from civil society and the private sector are also welcome. Priority will be given to applicants from the developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

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How to Apply

We will post application information here in March, 2007.

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Language

English (Neither interpretation nor translation into local languages will be provided.)

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Responsibilities

Each participant is expected to complete the following activities:

1. Submit a cyber study visit report.
2. View all 18 lecture CD-ROMs. (Lecture CD-ROMs or DVD will be sent by mail by 20 April 2007. You can also download or view the lectures through video-streaming at our website: www.adbi-classroom.org*)
3. Complete review questions provided in the study guide.(Course Study Guide will be made available online or e-mailed to the participants.)
4. Participate in the online discussion forum.
5. List the services that may be provided through e-government portals and cite the reasons for such services.
6. Develop an e-government portal with video conferencing system.
7. Submit a project proposal to introduce e-procurement services(Template for the project proposal will be provided in advance.)
8. Pass the course examination.
9. Complete the course evaluation.

* This link takes you outside the ADBI.org website. Please use the back button to return to ADBI.org.

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Cosponsors

Possible cosponsors are the Asian Development Bank,
Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education (CPSC),
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD),
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP),
IBM,
Microsoft and the
World Bank (Global Development Learning Network).