pac inet2008 e gov in the cook islands maureen hilyard

eGovernment in the Cook IslandsWorking together - to make a difference

OVERVIEW

Part 1: How did we get here?

Part 2: What is eGovernment?

Part 3: How are we doing with eGovernment in the Cook Islands?

PART ONE

• How did we get here?

• What caused governments in the Pacific to reassess how they were governing?

World Bank report

• Late 1990s – reports by the World Bank exposed a high level of corruption by governments within Asia-Pacific

• Corruption was eroding social welfare, political stability and economic growth

Anti-Corruption Initiative

• 2001 - Cook Islands and 16 other Asia-Pacific countries endorsed a regional Action Plan to fight government corruption

• Today 28 countries are committed to this plan.

Anti-Corruption Action Plan

• Pillar 1 – Developing effective and transparent systems for the PUBLIC SERVICE

• Pillar 2 – Promoting integrity in BUSINESS operations

• Pillar 3 – Supporting Active PUBLIC Involvement

Cook Islands

• 2004 - National ICT policy • 2005 - Draft Strategic plan for ICT • 2006 – eGovernment Project• 2007 – Official Information Act• 2008 – Spam Act

PART TWO

• What is eGovernment?

• What are the benefits?

What is eGovernment?

• The purpose of eGovernment is to deliver better quality government to the people of the Cook Islands in the information age.

• Cook Islanders will be able to– Access government information and

services– Participate in democracy using the

internet and other ICTs

What is eGovernment?

• eGovernment enables choice

• Provides alternative access

• 24/7

What are the benefits?

At a PROCESS level (governance)

• Cost savings– For citizens

– For government


At a PROCESS level:

• Cost savings

• Time savings


At a PROCESS level:

• Cost savings

• Time savings

• Services don’t have boundaries


At a PROCESS level:

• Cost savings

• Time savings

• Services don’t have boundaries

• Better decision-making


At a GOVERNANCE level:

• Changes behaviour of public servants




– More consistency, more transparency– Less corruption and less fraud

– More efficiency and more effectiveness– More fair and equal treatment

– Customer-focused




• Changes behaviour of public sector clients




• Changes behaviour of public sector clients

• Empowerment

PART THREE

• So how are we doing?

– Critical Success factors (Richard Heeks, University of Manchester)

• Lessons learned

Critical Success Factor

1. External pressure

• Drive for reform comes from outside of government• Aid Donor – UNDP

• Taxpayers

• Voters

Critical Success Factor

1. External pressure

• Drive for reform comes from outside of government• Aid Donor – UNDP

• Taxpayers

• Voters

• Delivery of resources

Critical Success Factors

2. Internal will

• Drive from key government officials

• E-Government Project Team – ICT Unit

• Some Government Ministries


2. Internal will

• Drive from key participants

• E-Gov Project Team – ICT Unit

• Some Government Ministries

• Must be actively supported by top levels of Government


3. Overall Strategy

• Overall plan for public sector transparency and accountability

• eGovernment Project plan

• National ICT Policy 2004

• Official Information Act 2007


3. Overall Strategy

• Overall plan for public sector transparency and accountability• eGovernment Project plan

• National ICT Policy 2004

• Official Information Act 2007

• ICTs must be seen as a means rather than an end

Conclusion

• Current progress• Ministry websites• All Ministries by end of December• Official Information Act

Conclusion

• Current progress• Ministry websites• All Ministries by end of December

• Future eGovernment activities1. National eGov portal2. Website pilots for outer islands administration (e-

island)– Development of eLearning, eHealth and

eCommerce,

• QUESTIONS ?

pac inet2008 e gov in the cook islands maureen hilyard

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