REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WSIS OUTCOMES WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS

Transcription

1 REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WSIS OUTCOMES WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS A. PERSONAL INFORMATION Title: PROFESSOR First name: COLLETTE Last name: SUDA Name of Organization: Stakeholder Type 1 : PRINCIPAL SECRETARY HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GOVERNMENT Country: KENYA [email protected] B. Formal Input KENYA GOVERNMENT INPUT TO THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY REVIEW OF TUNIS ACTION LINES ON INFORMATION SOCIETY World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) adoption and commitment to build-people centred, inclusive and development oriented Information Society is anchored in promoting United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) sustainable development and improved quality of life, which is precisely what Kenya Vision 2030 envisage and prioritize in key objectives, programmes and projects. Under Kenya Vision 2030, the aim is to transform our country into modern, globally competitive, middle-income rapidly industrializing country, offering a high quality of life for all its citizens by Delivery of accelerated and inclusive economic growth, higher living standards, better education and health care, increased job creation especially for youth, commercialized agriculture providing higher rural incomes and affordable food, improved manufacturing sector including more diversified exports are necessary in order to address the acute challenges of poverty, joblessness, and inequality and to 1 P a g e

2 facilitate faster realization of Kenya Vision ICT touches nearly every sector and provide personalized and efficient solutions to societal but along growing impact, there are challenges on issues of privacy, security and quality of service that are becoming increasingly important. The government is acutely aware of the need for proactive work ahead to meet societal needs towards fostering a stable, safe and just societies that are based on the promotion and protection of all human rights, as well as respect for and value of dignity of each individual, diversity, pluralism, tolerance, nondiscrimination, non-violence, equality of opportunity, solidarity, security, and participation of all people, including plight of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups and persons. Irrespective of their background all efforts should be made to enhance equal opportunities for all so as to achieve their full potentials in life in economic, social, political and environmental activities, including informed decision making. Lack of voice or lack of capacity for active participation may mean denied justice, access to decent quality job, land, barrier to social services and/or underrepresentation. Expanded and improved engagement in society activities translates into societies that are stable, safe and just societies that are based on the promotion and protection of all human rights, as well as respect for and value of dignity of each individual, diversity, pluralism, tolerance, non-discrimination, nonviolence, equality of opportunity, solidarity, security, and participation of all people, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups and persons. RESPONSES FOR SUBMISSIONS INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: 1) To what extent has progress been made on the vision of the people-centred, inclusive and development? Kenya Vision 2030 is new long-term development blueprint for the country. It is motivated by collective aspiration for a much better society than the one we have today, by the year (i). Recognizing the critical role of science and technology in national development, Kenya has over the years identified key policy actions and reforms as well as programmes and projects that intend to realize higher and sustainable growth of the economy in an equitable environment. (ii). The Vision 2030 has identified increased spending on expansion, and modernization of our railways, roads, ports, airports, energy, water and the ICT and telecommunications infrastructure, the government intends to promote the use of ICT in our learning institutions starting with schools to achieve universal primary and secondary education; facilitate usage of ICT in research and development, and to drive innovation in the Kenyan economy, in addition, to improve cyber security in order to facilitate more use of ICT in business and commercial transactions. 2 P a g e

3 In addition, the Vision 2030 among other things, help to create efficient delivery of public and private sector products and services that are responsive to the needs of citizens and businesses and key for capacity creation. Access to timely accurate unbiased information ensures that all citizens are empowered to take advantage of great potential to stimulate socio-economic growth and development. (iii). E-Government involves the use of ICTs to transform both back-end and front-end government processes for timely, efficient and effective delivery of services, information and knowledge to customers. In recognizing the role and contribution of e-government in facilitating productivity among public servants and increasing citizen participation. (iv). The Kenya Government has placed six technology guiding principles: partnership; equity and non-discrimination; technology neutrality; environmental protection and conservation; good governance; and incentivizing, especially ICT at the forefront of its development agenda strengthening the foundation for a knowledge-based economy. 2) What are the challenges? (i). Kenya enacted a new constitution in 2010, which established a system of devolved Government with 47 lower level County Governments overseeing some functions such as the provision of health care and maintenance of local roads which were previously the responsibility of Kenya s National Government. and with the devolvement, ICT infrastructure and services are prerequisites to development in each County Government previously responsibility of national Government creating challenges but to better serve all the citizens more needs to be done to enable infrastructure and services to realize full value of integrated systems. (ii). There has been tremendous growth in the ICT sector particularly in the mobile sector, which by September 2013 had 31.3 million subscribers and a penetration of 76.9 per cent. At the same time, there were 25.1 million mobile money subscribers and an estimated 19.1 million Internet users with 47.1 per 100 inhabitants having access to Internet services. These trends amplify the need for ambitious broadband plans through innovation geared political and regulatory frameworks which foster large-scale private investment. (iii). At the regional level, Kenya aims at improving its trade of goods and services with fellow East Africa Community (EAC) members. ICT has a major role to play in regard to facilitating communication and engagements among the members. There are various planned integrations such as implementation of the customs union, common market, monetary union and political federation including the legal, regulatory, and policy reforms required to accomplish East Africa Community (EAC) members states service delivery expectations. ICT can accelerate the efficient flow of goods and services across national borders to avoid challenges that pull down each other due to restrictive inward-looking policies that are not compatible with sustained long-run prosperity. 3 P a g e

4 (iv). Seamless ICT infrastructure and info-structure within the community is crucial to address the emerging mobile and cyber security issues perpetuated through ICT and fueled by the borderless nature of the services delivered though the technologies. (v). Professionals have not yet managed to form a credible and legally recognized professional body to recruit and regulate ICT professionals, and to set standards and code of ethics for its members. (vi). Based on institutional and situational analysis, it is a fact that Kenya s ICT potential has not been leveraged to its maximum to drive social and economic development. Currently, it is not clear how much ICT is contributing to GDP despite its exponential growth in the last couple of years. 3) What should be the priorities in seeking to achieve WSIS outcomes and progress towards the Information Society, taking into account emerging trends? We, recommend in the context of work already being done in implementing Tunis and Geneva Action Plans to address appropriately public policy issues but not otherwise being adequately addressed consideration be made to focus on digital divide, funding mechanism for ICT, linkages with post-2015, cooperation and related issues be undertaken during review. (i). Bridging the Digital Divide A majority of populations continue to be denied access to timely accurate unbiased information to ensure that all citizens are empowered to take advantage of great potential to stimulate socioeconomic growth and development. This is remains particularly true in low-to-medium income households, marginalized and vulnerable groups or persons, which, as we have said before, are already facing a large digital divide and a lack of access to ICTs. Universal access to information that is essential for human development must be ensured. Infrastructure and the most appropriate forms of information and communication technologies must be accessible for all in their different social context, and the social appropriation of these technologies must be encouraged privileging local and targeted solutions. (ii). Funding Mechanism for ICTs There has been too little progress on capacity building for ICTs in developing countries, and on the transfer of technology to developing countries by those nations which have mastered ICT technologies, so as to assist developing countries in their pursuit of development. These funding mechanisms are central to the effective implementation of ICTs for development, and the review should emphasize the need for such mechanisms to be implemented in the outcome document. The review must focus on and rectify the lack of follow up on the funding mechanisms for ICTs, particularly under para 9 of the Tunis Agenda 4 P a g e

5 (iii). Linkage with Post 2015 Closely linking science, technology and innovation and sustainable development strategies by stimulating upstream capabilities (R&D, products design, and application development) can unlock efficiencies downstream across key sectors including education, health, agriculture, finance and e- government is already felt to significantly impact on service delivery. This will include connecting villages, community access points, schools and universities, research centers, libraries, health centers and hospitals, and local and central government departments. Information and communications technologies is recognized to have potential in overcoming the devastation of famine, biodiversity loss, natural catastrophes, new pandemics such as HIV/AIDS, as well as the proliferation of arms. Overall review document must create inter-linkages and synergies focus on the challenges and obstacles that maybe faced particularly in developing countries in information and communication technology on transition of MDGs to SDGs. (iv). Gender and Marginalized People Justice Guided by the interpretation of principles of gender equality, nondiscrimination and women's empowerment as contained in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Fourth World Conference on Women) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). To ensure effective equality of women, and thereby enabling women's full ability to claim and exercise their human rights, it is necessary to adopt a substantive equality approach in the analysis, which informs the content of ICT policy and programmes. Actions must demonstrate not only a strong commitment but also a high level of consciousness to an intersectional approach to redressing discrimination resulting from unequal power relations across all levels of society. (v). Media Media role in producing, gathering and distributing diverse content in which all citizens are involved and can actively participate, is vital. All forms of media can make crucial contributions to social cohesion and development in the digital era especially in developing countries, broadcast radio and television still play and continue to play a most effective means to dialogues and share information. Formulation of timely accurate unbiased quality information and effective communication to majority of populations particularly in the rural areas faced with limited access to internet services can be an enabler to accelerated uptake of transforming technologies with strong familiarity to creating quality jobs, safeguarding our natural resources, mitigation against natural events or disasters and promoting social cohesion in the society. A Community Media Fund should be established through a donor civil society partnership to invest in and support community-driven media, information and communication initiatives using traditional media and new ICTs including projects that make provision for the poorest communities, 5 P a g e

6 for cultural and linguistic diversity and for the equal participation of marginalized and vulnerable groups. (vi). Enhanced Cooperation With a view to assisting developing countries to take advantage of technology in their pursuit of development through, inter alia, promoting technical cooperation and the building of scientific and technological capacity to bridge the digital and development divides is vital. For local communities and individuals to fully enjoy the benefits of the information and communication society, ICTs must be designed and manufactured according to environmentally social sustainable principles. This includes better balance between commercial considerations and other legitimate social objectives, in addition to improved resource efficiency and improved recycling conditions ensuring safe disposal of ICT hardware and parts and, encouraging development of alternative to toxic ICT components. It is imperative that geo-political and historical injustices along economic, social, political and cultural lines are resolved, so that all nations have an equal say in the public policies affecting the structure of World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). (vii). Right to Privacy In our connected century, information and communication technology (ICT) is deeply integrated into our working and personal lives enabling billions of people to share ideas, acquire knowledge, improve their quality of life, and boost livelihoods. A development of this significance carries a number of implications for society. The questions arise as to who should determine reasonable checks and balances to ensure protection of freedom of expression and to what extent should the individual have a right to know what information is distributed about them, to whom, and how it is used. (i). Cyber Security The very potential of ICT to be integrated into nearly every facet of our lives poses serious societal challenges and ethical dilemmas. How can ICT positive roles be enhanced to fulfill intended wide range of needs and its misuse minimized? There is a likely to growing concern around accelerated cybersecurity. 4) What are general expectations from the WSIS + 10 High Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly? ICT has a critical role in driving the economic, social and political development as espoused in Vision 2030 therefore, elaboration of expectation from WSIS + 10 High Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly at furthering Summits outcomes: (i). Financial Mechanisms for bridging the digital divide, on Internet governance and related issues, as well as incentivize for local private sector to provide ICT solutions. 6 P a g e

7 (ii). Partnership Conscious/deliberate efforts to engage and collaborate with private sector, academic institutions. (iii). Equity and non-discrimination Equitable and non-discriminate availability of and access to ICTs across County Governments, urban and rural areas, gender, women, youth and disadvantaged communities. (iv). Technology neutrality Use of common, interoperable standards and protocols must be encouraged. (v). Environmental protection and conservation adhere to the green ICT concept by environmentally friendly equipments that are cheaper and easy to implement and ensuring there is no e-waste dumping. 5) What shape should the outcome document take? Africa can particularly benefit from regional synergies, complemented by the necessary technical and financial cooperation, Africa must be empowered to develop their own productive forces and control means of production within information societies. 7 P a g e