Arguments Opposed to the Resolution

We believe our opponents have taken an unnecessarily narrow view of the potential impact of e-government. They appear to ignore (or take for granted) the vast improvements that have already taken place within the government’s internal information infrastructure and in the general availability and accessibility of information and services to the public.

It is true that there are some significant problems that will need to be addressed in order to achieve efficient and effective e-government, but the existence of such problems – many of which are not unique to government e-development – are hardly proof positive that they cannot be solved.

The very fact that the problems are being recognized and analyzed demonstrates that e-government efforts have moved beyond the initial “hype” stage and have reached the necessary realization that truly transformative e-government can only be achieved through a significant change in the way government conceives of itself and its relationship with the public. But this is exactly what the public will increasingly demand as online technology becomes more accessible and integral to daily life.

Digital Dialogue

According to the Hansard Group, "Our broader research demonstrates that the public is interested in a more meaningful and sustained interaction with political institutions, and that this aspiration is reciprocated by Parliament and government at a central and local level." [1]

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e-Government Successes

South Korea

South Korea's e-government program ranked first in the 2006 Global e-Government SurveyThe Center for Public Policy at Brown. [2] Overall, Korea’s site o. The study found that the South Korean program had an "impressive level of organization and offer a wealth of information and services," and that it "offers an abundance of features while remaining user-friendly for its visitors." [3]

• The main government portal, for example, offers easy access to over 500 government services fully executable online. [4]

• Other departmental pages offer a wide range of e-services, such as paying taxes, checking bar exam results, or searching for lost relatives in North Korea.

• All sites contain publications and databases, and nearly all offer audio or video clips.

• The Korean sites are highly customizable, with a majority allowing the user to manage his or her own activities. In addition, most sites offer PDA or wireless access, and nearly all allow visitors to sign up for e-mail updates.

• Also notable are the interactive features available for users – virtually every site contains a prominent guestbook or forum as well as the option to petition the particular department.

• The Korean pages feature a clever design characterized by colorful drawings and icons which are appealing to the eye and allow for easy navigation.

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Efforts to Improve Efficiency and Effectiveness

Transformational Government (UK)[5]

USA.gov [6]

Estonia

• The Kodanikuportaal (Citizen’s Portal) allows Estonian citizens to enter and confirm data in the various national databases, fill out application forms, and sign and send documents, allowing government to operate more efficiently and more accurately.
• The Teabeportaal (Information Portal) provides information about government services, ranging from planned power outages to contact information for a wide range of governmental entities.
• The E-Governance Academy is "a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, founded for the creation and transfer of knowledge concerning e-governance, e-democracy and the development of civil society."

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