ICT Policy Formulation and e-Strategy Development: A ... - un-apcict

Preface
The objective of this Guidebook is to explain the nature of people-focused ICT policy
formulation and strategy development. Using examples and practices drawn from the Asia-
Pacific and around the world, it discusses the role of ICT policy-making in human development.
In particular, its potential contribution in the fight against poverty and disease, advocacy for
the empowerment of women and other marginalized groups, prevention and management
of disasters of all types, advancement of good governance, and the achievement of MDGs is
highlighted.
The Guidebook focuses on the steps required in developing ICT policies, including appropriate
e-readiness assessment methodologies, participatory methodologies and visioning exercises.
Also discussed are questions that need to be considered in developing an ICT strategy, the
sectors that ICT policy-making needs to deal with, and the approach to ICT action planning.
Related topics covered include strategies for various sectors in dealing with information access,
e-government, e-business and e-commerce, e-health, ICTs applied to learning at all levels,
ICTs for scientific research and development, ICTs for local and community development as
well as the development objectives and outcomes sought through an ICT strategy. Some of
the principles of implementation that need to be considered from a human development
perspective are outlined and discussed.
The Guidebook will be useful to generalists and development specialists, such as planning
officers, seeking to understand how to introduce ICTs in national development planning at
every level – national, district or regional, local and community. It will help them understand
some of the issues and concerns they should deal with. It will assist them in dealing with the
special challenges of introducing technology in conditions that a priori may not always appear
conducive or, in some circumstances, may seem completely inappropriate given other
development needs and priorities.
This Guidebook will be useful for development actors and decision-makers in government,
and development agencies and organizations including NGOs. It can also be utilized at the
community level by those who seek to understand ICTs’ role in development, and how they
can organize, plan and marshal resources to best meet the needs of their constituencies using
ICTs.
Finally, the Guidebook will be helpful to development planners because their concern is the
use of ICTs for the community and they measure the benefits and outcomes of using ICTs in
human development terms.
ICT Policy Formulation and e-Strategy Development
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