Publications

Research Papers

E-government Funding Activities and Strategies - 2005

Presentation to the UNWTO Knowledge Management International Seminar on Global issues in Local Government: Tourism Policy Approaches, Madrid June 25-July 1 2006

Understanding Knowledge Societies - 2005

Status of and Trends in Development of E-government (E/C.16/2003/2)
Arabic Chinese English French Russian Spanish
Paper presented at the 2nd Session of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration.

Capacity of the Public Sector to Support the Creation and Application of Knowledge, Innovation and Technology for Development
Arabic Chinese English French Russian Spanish

This paper, drafted for the ECOSOC Committee of Experts on Public Administration, examined knowledge, innovation and technology (KIT) as critical inputs for meeting pressing development goals in the areas of governance, economic development, protection of the environment, poverty alleviation, and health. The paper called for strategic capacity-building efforts across the full spectrum of a society's ability to access, generate, adapt, disseminate and utilize/apply KIT. Moreover, a systems approach was suggested whereby the linkages between social, economic, political and scientific and technological systems are recognized in policy formulation and implementation, as are the specific development aims driving the overall process. The role of the State in building an enabling environment and as an exemplar user was also outlined. (July 2002)

Principles and Guidelines

E-government Principles and Definitions

Guiding principles on e-Government development and definitions of electronic and knowledge government.

Open Action Plan on E-government for Development

Guidelines on the development and implementation of a National e-Government Strategy and Action Plan, drafted in cooperation with the Government of Italy. (May 2002)

Readiness and Benchmarking

METER: Measurement and Evaluation Tool for E-government Readiness

DPADM has developed an e-tool to measure and evaluate e-government readiness that offers a menu of complementary surveys which measure aspects of e-government readiness from the perspective of central government, government agencies/departments and the broader society. More information on the history of the e-Government Readiness Assessment Methodology

WHAT IS METER?

UNPAN Online Training Tool
METER: Measurement and Evaluation Tool for E-Government Readiness

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METER, the Measurement and Evaluation Tool for E-Government Readiness, is a ready-to-use evaluative tool enabling a country to self-assess its level of e-government readiness. Based on a holistic and functional methodology for e-government readiness measurement, it comprises questions covering a range of issues in order to estimate and monitor what is the current state of factors affecting e-government development. Conceived to serve as an advisory tool, it helps to identify the key areas to work on, and how to prioritize them. By uncovering the level of e-government awareness, both at the central government and agency levels, as well as within the civil society, it leads to a full understanding of the changes that e-government development entails.

The analysis of the existing environment is crucial in order to appraise how ready a country is to embark in the significant processes of change inevitably associated with an e-government transformation. A seamless e-government, providing via a single portal the integrated delivery of information and services for convenience, effectiveness and empowerment, represents the ultimate goal for all national and local e-government programmes. However, taking e-government beyond the stage of having informational websites is not an easy course of action, and for the most part, lessons learned concerning e-government initiatives have shown that e-government is better achieved within a conducive environment that enables it to maximize its potential.

Hence, the goal of METER is to arm governments with much of the information necessary to make changes and to define achievable implementation strategies and action plans in a tailored and effective way, to overcome internal and external obstacles and to support the overall objective of a fruitful e-Government development. Independently from its current level of e-government maturity each country should be aware of the point where it stands in the transformation process, in order to set goals and steps to reach its final aim through an efficient use of available resources and opportunities. However, it is recommendable that an e-government readiness assessment be undertaken when a country is prepared to follow the evaluation with an immediate or near-term action.