Information and Capacity for Information Society Policy

1. Information and Capacity for Information Society Policy SMIT – IBBT Leo Van Audenhove Observations on the basis of South Africa EADI 9 September 2004 Maastricht

2. IS Policy in South Africa • Why is South Africa special? • Since early 1990s realisation that ICTs are important • After democratic elections 1994 unique position • Necessary to rethink and reformulate all policy • Coincides with rising international discussion on ICTs opportunity to fomulate innovative & coherent IS policy • Since middel 90s ICTs important in many policy areas makes SA interesting case for research and analysis • My contribution • Discuss South Africas IS policy • Pinpoint some of the major problems • Reflect on the role of information and capacity

3. Goals of IS Policy • Two main goals • ICTs alternative way of providing services • Access to telecommunications and basic ICTs • Restructuring of Telecommunications Sector • Emphasis on MPCCs and telecentres • Implementation by different departments • Make SA part of the global information economy • Performant telecommunications infrastructure • Restructuring of Telecommunications Sector • Stimulate new innovative branches of economy • Stimulate integration of economy in global structures • Implementation • IS policy gradually becomes more complex • Lack of integration between policy areas

4. Two Paradoxes • Telecommunications Regulation & Policy • Markets in DC tend to be less perfect • Higher degree of regulation necessary • Weaker institutions • Human capacity more scarce • Less information on markets available • Project Implementation • Environment for implementation less favourable • Projects tend to be more complicated • Weaker institutions • Human capacity more scarce • Less information on project environment available • Strong need for localised solutions and policy

5. Information and Capacity • SA has build considerable capacity in IS policy • Strong effort in terms of education and training • BUT: • Especially in highly technical fields lack of capacity • Reliance on both local and foreign western consultants • Focus on international (western) best-practices • In certain areas lack of statistics and sound data to underpin decision-making • Risk of • Sticking to more conservativepolicy (followers) • Based on so-called best-practice • Based on generalised scenarios • Developed by international consultants • One fit for all solutions

6. Donor efforts • Information • Exchange of available info taken care of • International websites and fora on issues related to IS • Lack of local insights, data and statistics remains • Capacity building • Much more difficult and long term process • Need for: • Increased regional or South-South exchange of best practice • Increased support for national and regional capacity building programmes • Support for development of national information basis

7. Contact • Leo Van Audenhove • Leo.Van.Audenhove@vub.ac.be • Website SMIT • http://smit.vub.ac.be • South Africa’s Information Society Policy • http://smit.vub.ac.be/ISPSA/