Program

Input Conceptualising Welcome digital governance Goodbye Conversation Chat Café interaction Chat interaction Chat interaction

In just 1-2 words: What comes to your mind when you think of digital governance? Digital Governance - Framing

June 2021 Kevin Hernandez, Research Officer Digital and Technology Research Group, Institute of Development Studies [email protected] ids.ac.uk 4 4 ways that ‘digital’ shapes governance

ids.ac.uk 5 1. Digital ‘in’ government initiatives

§ Application of digital technologies across internal government functions § Goal: To improve efficiency, cut costs and reduce fraud within government § Includes a wide range of functions § Can be as basic as introducing computers or using email § Can be as advanced as using biometric verification when entering a building or using real-time data and algorithms to predict stock shortages

ids.ac.uk 6 “When police officers in Afghanistan’s mountainous Wardak province began receiving their $200-per-month salaries via their mobile phones in 2009, many wondered why they had gotten a raise. They hadn’t. It turns out their superiors had been skimming from their salaries, which were previously paid in cash.” ids.ac.uk 7 2. Digital government services

§ One-way Government-to-citizen information and services via government websites and portals § Goal: To improve efficiency, reduce transaction costs and reduce fraud (e.g. petty corruption) in service delivery § Citizens can access government information, services and transactions at any time § Most Basic Level: a government website where info is shared with citizens § 84% of countries offer at least 1 transactional online activity § Global average = 14 ids.ac.uk 8 Unequal Distribution of Digital Government Services between Countries

ids.ac.uk 9 3. Digital participation in governance

§ Spaces designed to facilitate two-way interaction between citizens and government § Spaces where citizens can: § Monitor progress § Engage with and demand changes from government and corporate governance § Gain access to open data § Actively participate in direct democracy

ids.ac.uk 10 ids.ac.uk 11 Digital governance success is not given

§ All types of digital governance mentioned only possible where there is political will and capacity § Digital inequalities shape citizens ability to participate and access services § Access to digital devices § Access to digital infrastructure and service § Digital and written/reading literacy § Accessibility (people living with disabilities) § Social norms § Marginalized groups tend to have less access to digital technology ids.ac.uk 12 4. Governance in a digital world

§ Giant Internet conglomerates increasingly shape the lives of citizens and the private sector § GAFA (, , , Apple) § BATX (, Alibaba, , ) § They are increasingly consolidating the digital economy § Buying emerging competitors and other startups § Increasingly creating ‘one-stop shops’ § Lack of governance mechanisms to regulate, tax or hold them accountable § reluctance to tackle social challenges on their platforms ids.ac.uk 13 4: Governance vacuums in a digital world

§ Internet shutdowns § Fake News, Disinformation § Citizen manipulation through targeted misinformation § Violence against women online § Algorithmic decision making can be biased § Many more!

ids.ac.uk 14 Digital governance = a balancing act

§Digital in government §Digital Government Services §Digital Participation in Government Digital Dividends §Innovation §Unaccountable Internet giants §Internet shutdowns §Efficiency §Fake News, targeted Disinformation §Inclusivity (of some) §Citizen manipulation §Violence against women online §Biased algorithms §Digital inequalities §Etc.

ids.ac.uk 15 Thank You

ids.ac.uk 16 References

§ Access Now, 2020. Shattered Dreams and lost opportunities: A year in the fight to #KeepItOn. § Internet Society, 2019. Internet Society Global Internet Report 2019: Consolidation in the Internet Economy. § Leber, J., 2012. Cashing Out of Corruption [WWW Document]. MIT Technol. Rev. URL https://www.technologyreview.com/2012/03/19/187131/cashing-out-of-corruption/ (accessed 12.8.20). § Shkabatur, J., 2014. Check My School: A Case Study on Citizens’ Monitoring of the Education Sector in the Philippines, in: Closing the Feedback Loop: Can Technology Bridge the Accountability Gap? World Bank, Washington. § United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2020. UNITED NATIONS E-GOVERNMENT SURVEY 2020: digital government in the decade of action for sustainable development. UNITED NATIONS, S.l. § World Bank, 2016. World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends. The World Bank, Washington DC. ids.ac.uk 17 Chat interaction

Having heard Kevin’s input on the four spaces (digital in government, digital services, digital participation and digital governance): in which of those are you planning or implementing projects? Conversation Café 1st round: 6 mins, with talking stick, go around: short statements, max 1’ per person What experiences and observations about digital governance have I made...

2nd round: 6 mins, with talking stick, go around, short statement, max 1’ per person After having heard all others, what comes up for me? What is particularly important to me?

Open conversation: 15 mins, with talking stick, making sense together So, how can we, as network, bring supporting digital governance programming a step further? Wise feedback

Please share your insights from the group conversations in the chat, particularly on how can we as a network support digital governance programming further?