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Digital Dividend Digest vol. 46
July 8, 2004
CONTENTS
1. Lessons
From the Field: E-Government
2. Clearinghouse Adds its Thousandth Project
3. New in the Digital Dividend
Clearinghouse: Internet Reunion in Kashmir, e-Administration
in Tamil Nadu, Trabajo Voluntario
4. Special Opportunities:
Global Indus Technovator Awards, Open Society Initiative for
Southern Africa ICT program
1. Lessons From the
Field:
E-Government
E-Governance is defined as "the use of information
and communication technologies (ICTs) and the Internet to
streamline and improve government processes and enhance the
internal and external communications of government."
The capability to design and deliver both front- and back-end
systems in the developing world is a function of a number
of factors that vary from country to country. This analysis
provides an overview of current initiatives in developing
countries that are pursuing e-government strategies through
practical, innovative applications.
2. Digital
Dividend Clearinghouse Adds its Thousandth Project
We are happy to announce that the Digital Dividend Clearinghouse
has grown to include over one thousand projects. Since its
official launch in August, 2001, the Clearinghouse
has evolved to become a well-known source of quality information
on ICT-for-development projects. Of the one thousand projects
in the Clearinghouse, 65 percent are non-profit endeavors,
while 20 percent are categorized as "for profit."
The remaining 15 percent are government-sponsored.
3 . New in the Digital
Dividend Clearinghouse: Internet Reunion in Kashmir, e-Administration
in Tamil Nadu, Trabajo Voluntario
Nine new projects have been entered since the last
Digest. Among the highlights:
Internet Reunion in Kashmir
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) set up a teleconferencing
event to reunite families separated by the Line of Control
(LoC) between India and Pakistan. For three days, families
were able to visit BBC offices to speak with and see family
members that had been out of contact for as long as 20 years.
The teary reunions were broadcast live via the BBC Urdu Web
site.
e-Administration in Tamil Nadu
The government of Tamil Nadu, India has adopted e-Administration
software in order to increase efficiency and transparency
in the government operations of the province. The file management
and tracking software allows upper- and mid-level government
officials to see who has opened and used what files and applications,
encouraging transparency among employees. Additionally, for
people who have submitted business proposals, the software
allows them to follow the progress of the application and
check its status online, instead of having to travel to the
government offices.
Trabajo Voluntario
Trabajovoluntario.org is an innovative Peruvian web site that
seeks to link those who need volunteers to people that are
willing to give their time to various non-profit activities.
The site has matched more than 7,000 volunteers to organizations
including orphanages, churches, and community groups, in just
over 3 years. The portal also encourages corporate volunteering,
citing better workplace relationships among coworkers who
volunteer together as evidence of the mutually beneficial
relationship that exists between the non-profit and corporate
worlds.
4. Special Opportunities: Global
Indus Technovator Awards,
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa ICT program
Global
Indus Technovator Awards
Global Indus Technovator Awards: The Indian Business Club
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is now
accepting nominations for the Global Indus Technovator Awards.
The Indian Business Club seeks to honor South Asians with
imaginative and entrepreneurial spirit. Individuals, or groups
of individuals, less than 40 years old and of Indus origin
are eligible to be nominated for their innovative or creative
contributions in the fields of biotechnology, materials and
devices, information technology, medicine and healthcare,
social development, and energy. Successful applicants will
be strong, youthful role models for scientifically-inclined
South Asians around the world. Twenty innovators will be honored
at a ceremony at MIT in November 2004. The deadline for nominations
is July 15, 2004.
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa ICT program
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa ICT program: The
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) has recently
announced the new guidelines for its Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) program. OSISA will offer support to ICT
projects in Southern Africa that are founded on the principles
of digital inclusion and opportunity, affordable access and
equity, alternative ICT technology and delivery systems for
civil society, application for social action, networking and
knowledge sharing, and effective use and social appropriation
of ICT. Projects will emphasize social action for change and
be working towards long-term sustainability. Proposals and
applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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