The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the future for digital infrastructures and government services – from facilities to necessities. Central digital capabilities cover all aspects of life – work, health, education, commerce, and government. In this context, we asked several experts about the connection between digital governments and the advancement of global development and democracy. Check out their opinions below.
- Digital government transformation is the ongoing application of modern technology to improve government performance.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed governments at all levels to undergo digital transformation.
- Experts state that digital government can enable a variety of new channels for citizen participation in representation, policy review, and formulation, but can also facilitate surveillance, privacy infringement, human rights abuses, and other forms of repression.
- While economic development is mostly driven by market forces, improved and accelerated public service delivery is a key enabler.
Could you share your thoughts as to how digital governments can advance global development and democracy?
“A symbiotic relationship exists between digital infrastructure and government services, where governments can set measurable programs and goals that disrupt established ways in public service delivery by removing cumbersome regulations and processes. Data-driven decisions and evidence-based policies are the building blocks of a modern bureaucracy for improved business and investment climates, increased revenues for public budgets, and an expansion in the competitiveness of economies. Increasing the digital capabilities of governments can reimage governance with greater public trust as authorities become more open, transparent, accountable, and innovative – made possible with disruptive technologies such as AI and Blockchain; add XR technology, and we are in a virtual, unlimited reality and immersive world space coined the Metaverse. Governments on the trajectory of building a 21st century nation are presented with opportunities to be represented in the Metaverse from establishing embassies to the delivery of G2C services, employment creation, delivery of healthcare, and access to educational institutes. In the same vein, corporations and entrepreneurs operating in this digital landscape will be able to execute complete G2B and B2B services including collaboration with colleagues and conducting end-to-end payment transactions within a secure ecosystem. Therefore, reimagining a world where the digital government could advance global development and democracy is possible.”
“The digital technologies of today are so readily obtainable; however, many still shy away from it for a wide variety of reasons: it’s alien, controlling the outcome, assuming it will cause more burden, operational and financial investment and maintenance challenges. Nothing is further from the truth. Technology has allowed governments and development initiatives to “fast track” their agenda as they are becoming easier to use, faster to learn, and more adaptable. Governments have adopted technology by sharing, combining, connecting, exchanging, influencing, and expressing their respective nations to the world. Global development has utilized technology by creating multiple arms that can reach out and join the hands of any initiative globally. In addition, remote work has proven itself to be a financial savior for the development sector as professionals can carry out their tasks on any mobile device. However, time management is still a significant challenge that needs to be addressed. Digital governments can support advancements in development at record speeds as technology (when managed efficiently) can entice and lead to a more lucrative and sustainable workforce while reaching goals that express and enhance democratic messages.”
“It would be hard to argue that digital governance doesn’t provide substantial benefits to advancing global development. Digital governments greatly facilitate public service delivery through mechanisms like digital citizen identification and digital payments, or citizen information authentication through multi-agency access to digital lockers containing key documents and information submitted once and reused as necessary. The internal operational efficiencies are undeniable with data easily shared across agencies and previously-siloed business processes more horizontally integrated. While economic development is mostly driven by market forces, improved and accelerated public service delivery is a key enabler. Digital government contribution to advancing global democracy is a trickier question. Certainly, a digital government enables a variety of new channels for citizen participation in policy review and formulation, from public feedback/input to direct online referendums on proposed policies and programs. It can even provide a platform for fully electronic voting, making it easier for citizens to participate in choosing their government. On the other hand, digital technology also provides substantially increased opportunity for surveillance, privacy infringement, human rights abuse, and other forms of repression. Like anything else, the benefits or risks of a given capability depend upon the hands in which it rests.”
“Ever since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, while the world has faced many obstacles, the digitalization of governments has advanced their adaptability towards technologies. Artificial intelligence and cloud technologies have taken over many crucial responsibilities and at the same time created new job opportunities. Digital government advancement is going to play a vital role in the improvement of everyday work, life and democracies at a mass scale level. Everything is now accessible at the tips of the fingers. Governments that adapted earlier have made the best out of it. It is only a matter of time when the “laggards” will also adapt and become more efficient. Digital advancement will create equity, not just equality. To sum up – e-governance is paving the path to a new better world and a new way of life ethics.”
See also: The role of creative industries in developing countries | Experts’ Opinions
Check out more than 260 job opportunities in the Information & Communication Technology sector here.
