ICT Policy Formulation and e-Strategy Development: A Comprehensive Guidebook

This publication aims to be a guidebook to help policy makers and planners of Asia-Pacific countries to prepare national policies and strategies on information and communications technology (ICT) for development. It focuses on steps taken in developing ICT policies, including appropriate e-readiness assessment, participatory methodologies, and visioning exercises. The objective of the guidebook is to explain the nature of people-focused ICT policy formulation and strategy development. Using examples and practices drawn from the Asia-Pacific and around the world, it discusses the role of ICT policy-making in human development. In particular, its potential contribution in the fight against poverty and disease, advocacy for the empowerment of women and other marginalised groups, prevention and management of disasters of all types, advancement of good governance, and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals is highlighted.

The guidebook focuses on the steps required in developing ICT policies, including appropriate e-readiness assessment methodologies, participatory methodologies and visioning exercises. Also discussed are questions that need to be considered in developing an ICT strategy, the sectors that ICT policy-making needs to deal with, and the approaches to ICT action planning. Related topics covered include strategies for various sectors in dealing with information access, e-government, e-business and e-commerce, e-health, ICTs applied to learning at all levels, ICTs for scientific research and development, and ICTs for local and community development.

This guidebook was designed to be useful to planning officers seeking to introduce ICTs in national development planning at every level - national, provincial, district, local and community. It aims to help them understand some of the issues and concerns and assist them in dealing with the challenges of introducing technology in conditions that may not always appear conducive or, in some circumstances, may seem completely inappropriate given other development needs and priorities. This guidebook was also designed for decision makers and development practitioners in government and development organizations including non-governmental organisations(NGOs). It can be utilised at the community level by those who seek to understand ICT's role in development, and how they can organise, plan and marshal resources to best meet the needs of their constituencies using ICTs.

This guidebook is a part of the APDIP ICT4D Series. The series is focused on ICT policies and its impact in accelerating social and economic development.