the role of ngo actors in the development of new technologies for citizen engagement and the way...

The Role of NGO Actors in the Development of New Technologies for Citizen Engagement and the way

forward...

Michael SzafraniecCareWays Community

Australia

Unites Nations ,Geneva13-14 May 2010

Outline1. Definitions

Defining Citizen Engagement Defining Non-Government Actors

2. NGO’s Role in Development Local, National, Regional and Global Actors Services, crisis, economic development, social development

and social protection, accountability, independent Upstream and Downstream

3. Importance of NGO Actors in Citizen Engagement Development

NGO’s have links to citizenry; the private sector and; governments and authorities

NGO’s are independent of gov, citizens and of themselves governed by laws enacted by authorities to enable them

NGO’s provide social protection....

2Michael Szafraniec.

Outline4. Standardising the way forward

NGO Perspective – a need for International Standardisation of Engagement

Importance of Standardised Frameworks for ICT development and data management

Opportunities to build global Social Data Warehouse based on standardised inputs and outputs

Creating an Index of Measurement to categorise and measure impacts, capacity and uptake of new opportunities

5. Access and Equity an ethical model Creating Access and Equity through the development of

Engagement Importance of ICT in enabling all actors to engage Collection, Collation and Storage of Data and Knowledge

Management


Outline6. Standards; Principles; benchmarks; and

resources Standards of engagement Principles of engagement Benchmarks

7. Social Data Warehouse A Knowledge Management System

8. The way forward an International Action Agenda

NGO sector is in the unique position to be able to develop, influence and implement action agenda.

NGO sector is crucial to development of Citizen Engagement and the use of ICT to enable e-governance

NGO Role to develop resources and training to build government expertise and citizen capacity


Outline8. The way forward an International Action Agenda

Role of UN EGM as platform and coordination for International development of Engagement framework including the development of new technologies

Role of UN EGM as platform and coordination for International development of ICT applications for engagement and e-governance

Role of UN EGM as platform and coordination for International development of e-resources and training

Role of UN EGM as platform and coordination for International development of “Social Data Warehouse” concept

UN adopt International Standardised Framework for the development of engagement

UN adopt International Development Framework for new technologies for engagement

Need for International community to commit to standardised approach to the development of engagement

Need for International Community to commit to measurement and evaluation of participation trough e-governance


DefinitionsFor the purpose of this presentation the following definitions apply;

Citizen Engagement refers to –the processes of working collaboratively with and through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest, or similar situations and individuals to address issues affecting the well-being of those people. It is a powerful vehicle for bringing about environmental and behavioural changes that will improve the health of the community and its members. It often involves partnerships and coalitions that help mobilize resources and influence systems, change relationships among partners, and serve as catalysts for changing policies, programs, and practices. It involves the following key attributes;

a focus on designing, developing, establishing, maintaining and evaluating communication between one or more parties

processes and practices that enable communities and individuals to participate in the development of communities and build capacities

a systematic communication approach focused on process, documentation, measurement and improvement


DefinitionsNon Government Organisation.: -

"The diversity of NGOs strains any simple definition. They include many groups and institutions that are entirely or largely independent of government and that have primarily humanitarian or cooperative rather than commercial objectives. They are private agencies in industrial countries that support international development; groups organized regionally or nationally; and member-groups in villages. NGOs include charitable and religious associations that mobilize private funds for development, distribute food and family planning services and promote community organization. They also include independent cooperatives, community associations, water-user societies, women's groups and pastoral associations. Citizen Groups that raise awareness and advocate and influence policy are also NGOs"

- World Bank


NGO’s Role in DevelopmentThe actors within the NGO sector act at all levels

of society; localised communities through to international organisations

Thus the sector has actors of all size of enterprise from small localised operations to global multi-national organisations

All NGO’s are connected to the communities in which they undertake their endeavour and as a result are important actors in the development and delivery of citizen engagement


NGO’s Role in DevelopmentNGO’s are uniquely positioned being mid

stream actors enabling and undertaking both downstream and upstream engagement; Downstream with citizens and communities in

which they undertake their endeavoursUpstream with governments and authorities

who provide frameworks and policy instruments that enable NGO endeavour

NGO actors are thus well placed to assist in the development and delivery of both frameworks for engagement and the technologies that enable it.


Importance of NGO Actors in Citizen Engagement developmentNGO’s have links to citizenry; the private

sector and; governments and authorities

NGO’s act to provide social protection of those they serve and represent and as such can act to bring such provisions to the development of technologies for engagement


Importance of NGO Actors in Citizen Engagement developmentNGO actors can also help regulate and

measure the success of engagement provided a system exists to measure outcomes of engagement

NGO actors are independent entities that whilst often advocates for political change are by definition independent of governments and authorities, which can ensure equity in the development of engagement and e-Governance


Standardising the way forward... An NGO PerspectiveIn order to measure the success and continuously

improve engagement and the technologies that deliver it, there is a need to undertake a standardised approach to its development and implementation

The development of an International Framework will enable a systematic approach to engagement and will give rise to the considerations necessary for the development of engagement and e-governance


Standardising the way forward... An NGO PerspectiveThe development of an International Framework will

deliver agreed upon functions of measurement and enable the tracking of the development processes and new technologies

The development of an International Framework for engagement will also enable all actors at all levels of society equity in engagement

This also has a particular significance for the development of new technologies for engagement to ensure protection and availability of collected social data.


Standardising the way forward... An NGO PerspectiveThe management and use of the collected data is

standardised and secured by an agreed upon standard of data management delivering measures of accountability and transparency

The use of this data is available to the International Community and thus is maintained and kept in a standardised way utilised and can be monitored by all actors, including the individual


Standardising the way forward... An NGO PerspectiveOpportunities to build global “Social Data

Warehouse” based on standardised inputs and outputs

Opportunities to create an Index of Measurement to categorise and measure impacts, capacity and uptake of new technologies and opportunities


Access and EquityCommunity engagement activities are based on

developing trustful relationships between stakeholders and decision makers, the ethical conduct of engagements is an implicit commencement point in all phases of and especially in the use of ICT for engagement

Creating Access and Equity through the development of Engagement is fundamental to the successful development of technologies for engagement

Technology will enable more marginalised citizens access and equity of engagement through simple adaptations of existing ICT software.


Access and EquityA standardised approach to engagement and the

development of new technologies will also create a system based on equity of all actors to participate

Access is also created through a standardised approach as the development of engagement and technologies will be developed in such a way as to guarantee access through appropriate ethical measures, regulated by all actors

A standardised approach to the Collection, Collation and Storage of data and the Knowledge Management system that supports it, enables unprecedented access of data to all actors at all levels

It also provides a system of accountability and transparency that is regulated and can be measured by all participants


Standards; Principles; Benchmarks; and ResourcesCitizen Engagement Standards;

Community Engagement Standards are the underlying considerations that must be adhered to in order to undertake a standardised approach to engagement and the development of new technologies

These are supported by Engagement Principles and Benchmarks

Draft StandardsLeadershipInclusivenessEthical and Transparent EngagementEnhancement of Actor ParticipationPromotion of Socio-Economic SustainabilityCapacity to respond to Change


Draft Standards – an exampleLeadership – the ability to develop and implement

engagement so that all stakeholders are enhanced and not diminished by the interaction

Inclusiveness – evidence of engaging with all potential stakeholders by utilising methodologies and technologies that dissolve barriers to participation

Ethical and Transparent Engagement - The conduct of all engagement activities will need to unequivocally demonstrate that all information exchanged and all interactions with communities impacted by the subject of the engagement are conducted on an ethical basis.


Draft Standards – an exampleEnhancement of Actor Participation - demonstration

that the engagement has developed the skills of stakeholders in participatory democratic processes and negotiating for their own future well being.

Promotion of Soci0-Economic Sustainability - ensures that citizens traditional means of livelihood, culture, environment and sources of economic activity are not negatively impacted by the engagement

Capacity to respond to Change – demonstration of evaluative techniques are utilised and how flexible their responses are to changing conditions


Draft Engagement PrinciplesCitizen Engagement Principles;

Organisational Sustainability – Engagement practices reflect the long term commitment to using standardised model to develop and deliver engagement; especially the commitment to data management systems

Continuous Improvement – Documentation and evaluation for continuous improvement and good practice implementation

Stakeholder Development – Professional development and learning of social research theory and practices

Relationships/Partnerships – Fair and inclusive engagement built on trust and good communication through development of relationships and partnerships


Draft Citizen Engagement BenchmarksCitizen Engagement Benchmarks;

Planning and Design:- commitment to standardise the process and implementation for the development and delivery of citizen engagement practices. The planning and design needs to be performed using stringent social research methodologies.

Innovation and Creativity:- commitment to the design and development of creative and innovative engagement practices to increase the opportunities for targeted and inclusive engagement.


Draft Citizen Engagement Benchmarks

Inclusiveness (Access and Equity):- commitment to the development and delivery of engagement processes and practices, in an equitable and inclusive manner that address the diverse needs of the population, whilst engaging a representative sample

Communication:- commitment to deliver clear, concise and consistent information through appropriate mediums taking into account the range of diverse needs within the population. Ensure the stakeholders are informed, involved and encouraged to participate 23Michael Szafraniec.


Documentation:- commitment to a standardised and complete documentation of all processes and practices utilised for citizen engagement. To utilise and enhance appropriate methodologies for the recording and reporting of engagement data, and a commitment to the centralised storage and dissemination of information accessible to the organisation

Capacity Building:- commitment to the creation of stakeholder expertise through the development and training of stakeholders



Assessment and Evaluation:- commitment to continually review and analyse all processes and practices to enhance the planning, design and delivery of community engagement practices

Improvement:- commitment to the development of existing processes and practices through effective research, training, planning, delivery, examination and responsive action


Knowledge Management and Citizen EngagementThe considerations of knowledge management

systems and the maintenance and security of collected data is paramount to the success of any engagement and the success of any technologies developed to enable engagement

The importance of assurances about the way in which all data is collected, collated, stored and used is a key factor in the development and implementation of engagement

The Social Data Warehouse is an example of the products that can be built within a standardised environment that provides integrity of data and enables all actors to have equitable access and use of the information that is collected.


“Social Data Warehouse”Social Data Warehouse:- This is a database of

information that has been collected during engagement.

This database operates like a website portal and can be accessed via data filters that include demographic information, issues and concerns, reports, learnings , evaluations, etc.

This Social Data Warehouse provides ease of access and can be utilised by all actors for conceivably all issues, because the inputs and outputs are standardised and therefore can be measured


“Social Data Warehouse”This database also holds all the raw data from

consultations and complete reports including strategy developments, plans, project designs, as well as all the necessary information about each consultation, providing a comprehensive knowledge management system

Internationally developed and supported by the UN the Social Data Warehouse can empower all actors with relevant and needed information that can enable and enhance their own endeavours

This becomes of utmost importance to the NGO sector as these are the actors who act for the social protection of the citizenry


“Social Data Warehouse”This database will also give rise to new

unforeseen developments that can assist in the management of crisis, enable the under represented to participate in meaningful ways, and develop new technologies that ultimately work because they respond to the needs identified through engagements


The way forward an International Action AgendaContribution to the International Action AgendaThe following is a list of directions that should be

considered in the development of the action agenda on Citizen Engagement and E-governance;NGO sector is in the unique position to be able to

develop, influence and implement International action agenda and

NGO sector is crucial to development of Citizen Engagement and the use of ICT to enable e-governance

There is an important role that NGO actors have to develop engagement and e-governance resources and training to build government expertise and citizen capacity


The way forward an International Action AgendaThere is a role that the UN WSIS ?? can use as a

platform and for the coordination of International development of Engagement framework including the development of new technologies

There is a role that the UN WSIS ?? can use as a platform and for the coordination of International development of ICT applications for engagement and e-governance

There is a role that the UN WSIS ?? can use as a

platform and for the coordination of International development of e-resources and training


The way forward an International Action AgendaThere is a role that the UN WSIS ?? can use as a

platform and for the coordination of International development of “Social Data Warehouse” concept

UN can lead development and adopt International Standardised Framework for the development of engagement

UN can lead development and adopt International Development Framework for new technologies for engagement


The way forward an International Action AgendaFor the successful development of engagement and new

technologies there is a need for the International community to commit to standardised approach to the development of engagement

As part of this there is a need for the International Community to commit to the measurement and evaluation of engagement and e-governance structures, for the continuous improvement and development of new technologies for engagement


the role of ngo actors in the development of new technologies for citizen engagement and the way...

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