How to Build Open Information Societies A Collection of Best Practices and Know-How BELARUS

Transcription

1 How to Build Open Information Societies A Collection of Best Practices and Know-How BELARUS 33

2 34 How to Build Open Information Societies. A Collection of Best Practices and Know-How

3 Map & ICTD Country Profile UNDP ICTD Country Profile Population (millions): 10.0 Adult literacy rate (% ages 15 and over): 99.6 GNI per capita (WB Atlas method, 2002, $): 1,360.0 Telephone mainlines (per 1,000 people): 300 Mobile phones (per 1,000 people): 94 Personal Computers (per 1,000 people): 77 Internet users (thousands): 100 Human Development index rank (out of 173 countries, 2003): 53 National ICT Strategy (Y/N): 2002 E-assessments (0,1,2...N): 2 completed UNDP staff in ICTD Karin Bruce - Programme Officer karin.bruce@undp.org ICTD Partners International: Open Society Institute, World Bank, UNESCO, EU/TACIS National: Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Economy, National Academy of Science, Parliament, Council of Ministers, Ministry of Communication and Information, Ministry of Interior ICTD Activities Creation of a comprehensive information environment for general education schools Support to e-literacy of the Lower House of the Parliament Building capacities for creation of e-society using public libraries Building capacities for creation of e-society working through NGOs Support of ICT strategy on the framework of the Project Advisory Board Schools, Parliament, Librarians and NGOs trained to use modern ICT to increase local information resources, including distance learning technology Pipeline Programmes Increased use of information and communication technologies in through increased internet access and training at schools, libraries, NGOs and Parliament, and also advocacy and policy development in the area of ICT in 35

4 Promoting ICT for Development in Karolina Datlikovich and Igor Tavgen 1 Abstract With the starting point of a weak ICT sector, but strong educational sector, the UNDP and Open Society Institute supported project, Internet-1, has worked to extend Internet access throughout. The project created networks and information infrastructure between different stakeholders, including educational institutions and libraries, governmental departments, NGOs and the public. The project benefited from the establishment of an International Advisory Board that coordinated discussion between stakeholders and ensured support for various aspects of the project s implementation and reach. Introduction, one of 15 republics of the former USSR, gained independence in Its development as an independent republic has not always been a smooth process. However, despite serious budgetary difficulties the government manages to maintain high employment rates and to guarantee payment of wages, pensions and allowances. After the initial slack of , the human development index (HDI), has to some extent recovered, and is currently among the highest HDI of the CIS countries. This is above all due to a high level of literacy and education among the adult population. Having avoided many of the complicated social problems seen in neighbouring states, is nonetheless faced with problems hindering further improvements in the standard of living. These include a significant population decrease by 1,323,000 during the period of ; and a low level of welfare as increasing numbers, including young people, face health problems. Key causes for concern are the effects of the 1986 Chernobyl catastrophe, and the rise of HIV/AIDS. Prior to gaining independence, had been an important scientific and technical centre of the former USSR. The economic crisis that followed the disintegration of the USSR made it difficult for to preserve its leading position in the output of scientific-intensive products. Despite such changes, however, the country has been able to preserve its potential to a significant degree. UNDP established representation in in September 1992, and has implemented multiple projects in cooperation with the ian Government, civil society organisations and academic institutions.these projects have worked toward achieving effective systems of management, gender equality, permanent subsistence, environmental protection, and development of information and communication technologies (ICT). ICT Sector in Largely because of economic difficulties, Internet infrastructure in is still in initial stages of development as compared with other European states. Although the number of personal computers with Internet access increased from 451 in 1997 to about 30,000 in 1999, according to the results of a 2001 national survey there are only two personal computers per 100 households in. In 2000, the number of host units was 0.2 per 1,000 citizens. Corresponding numbers of hosts in other countries for the same year were 2.2 in Russia, 10.7 in Latvia and 24.8 in Germany. Internet access costs in remain among the most expensive for CIS countries. The Internet and telecom sectors are dominated by state owned enterprises. One of the largest Internet providers is the state network, BelPak, owned by the Republic s amalgamation, Beltelecom, which controls the majority of international ports. The process of developing conditions that could facilitate full use of ICTs for different activities proceeds rather slowly. At present, only a small number of regulatory policies are in place, in particular with regards to electronic documents and e-commerce. At the same time, has real prerequisites for setting up a modern information society and becoming part of the global information community. An effective educational system has been preserved. Also, the scientific, technical and production potential in the field of informatics, as well as intellectual potential of the nation remain relatively high. Given these conditions, the UNDP Internet project was developed. The project affirmed that while information and communication technologies are not a panacea to problems during the period of transition, they are nonetheless a powerful tool for information exchange, expansion of knowledge and for the development of human and institutional potential. ICT can facilitate development of existing social networks through a wider exchange of information. This has direct impact on processes targeted toward decreasing the poverty level, improving the basic education system, economic liberalisation, and providing new opportunities through participation in the management system. About the Project In agreement with the Government of, and through financial support from the Open Society Institute, UNDP implemented Assisting Sustainable Human Development and Building an Open Democratic Society in through the Use of Modern Information Technology (Internet-1). The project, beginning in 1997 and ending in 2003, was primarily aimed at expanding Internet access throughout the population. The project was implemented with participation of the Ministry of Economy (the UNDP partner from the ian Government), the Ministry of Education (the national project coordinator), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Administration of the President, the Ministry of Communi-cation, as well as schools, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), universities and other educational, scientific and cultural organisations. 36 How to Build Open Information Societies. A Collection of Best Practices and Know-How

5 Promoting ICT for Development in The following activities were carried out within the project framework: upport for setting up and developing the UNIBEL network infrastructure in the City of Minsk and six regional centres (Brest, Vitebsk, Grodno, Gomel, Polotsk and Mogilev); support for setting up a backbone network for 18 governmental organisations; providing access to Internet resources for non-profit users (educational institutions, governmental organisations, and NGOs); providing training on Internet use for non-commercial users; support for developing information resources; and setting-up the ian Librarian Association management and technical infrastructure. To ensure an effective system of management and coordination an International Advisory Board (IAB) was established. The IAB s main functions were to assess outputs, formulate strategic recommendations for project implementation, and support initiatives for achieving project objectives. IAB recommendations steered project implementation toward working with the education system, supreme governmental authorities, public libraries, civil organisations, as well as citizens of the Republic of, along different lines of ICT use.this made it possible to sign and implement a series of agreements on mutual cooperation and resulted in additional human and financial resources. Project Implementation: Main Outputs For the network infrastructure: The project helped establish the UNIBEL network, an integrated information system of the Ministry of Education, which also provides Internet services for non-profit organisations. In all oblast centres of, backbone Internet nodes were organised for non-profit users and located in higher educational institutions. For the first time in, the DOV modem technology was licensed and put into operation, which allowed Internet access over ordinary telephone lines and standardised Internet access rates. This made it possible to provide access to the UNIBEL network to more than 400 social organisations. Today, this network covers universities, research institutes, libraries, schools as well as nongovernmental organisations. The Internet service provider of the UNIBEL network is the Chief Information and Analysis Centre (CIAC) of the Ministry of Education in. UNIBEL network has got 50% discount for Internet international channel and become a safe sustainable Internet service provider for non-profit users. For the educational system: More than 100 schools were provided with modems for Internet access. Together with the Internet Education Federation, the programs I*EARN, IATP, and the NGO Modem, numerous national and regional training workshops, summer camps, teleconferences and presentations for teachers were organised. School No. 176 in Minsk was provided the necessary equipment to implement a pilot project for organising an open education class using the school s new information environment. A school media centre was equipped, a local school network was organised with a special line assigned to UNIBEL, and regulations were drafted pertaining to the open education class. The higher education system has benefited from the project through implementation of subprojects in four educational institutions: the ian State University, ian State Polytechnic Academy, ian State University of Informatics and Radio Electronics and the Institute of Oncology and Radiation Medicine. These subprojects provided high-speed Internet access for students and staff of these institutions. For supreme governmental authorities: A fibre-optic cable for Internet access was laid to connect the essential governmental organisations in, including the Administration of the President, the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Economy. Technical support was also provided to the Administration of the President, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the State Center of Information Security. Also, the Ministry of Economy was assisted in establishing an online information resource centre < which includes official information about. In 2000, an international conference for the CIS Ministers of Education was made possible by additional financial support provided by UNESCO. In addition, representatives of different ministries and departments, universities and civil organisations, who received support through the project, took part in over 20 international conferences and training workshops. For non-governmental organisations: Computer and communication equipment was purchased and installed, and technical and methodological support was provided for connecting to and working on the Internet. Assistance was also provided for creating a complete database of civil initiatives within the country <barc.barcnews.org>. Within an initiative linked to the Internet project, a web portal for NGOs in was set up < The ian Librarian Association, the University of Osnabruck (Germany), IATP and the OSI librarian programme, signed a memorandum of mutual coordination and support. This sub-project was centred on providing effective technical aid to public regional and university libraries; organising three international conferences; and organising over 20 national and regional training workshops and conferences on ICT in the information and educational environment of universities and public libraries. A website was developed for libraries < and electronic mailing lists were created for ian librarians. The project included large-scale training in the use of ICT. Two training centres one based at the ian State University, and the other at the ian National Technical University were responsible for training more than 200 representatives from the supreme governmental authorities, the social sector, as well as more than 700 schoolchildren. To develop and bring distance learning technologies into use, within the European Humanities University and other educational institutions, specialised learning software (Toolbook and the elearn Server) was installed. The elearn Server facilitated electronic manual development in English and NGO management. Pilot courses for training delivered over the Internet were also developed, as well as the drafting of a corresponding methodological manual. Assistance was provided for developing a national distance learning concept and approach. Support was further provided to create specialised databases and to develop web resources (over 40) in the sectors of education,science,culture,medicine,environmental protec- 37

6 tion, etc. Permanent mirror web pages are kept for the most relevant web resources on the UNIBEL server. The project had a huge impact on ICT development within and helped push forward the state program, E- (for , and subsequently until 2010). The main objective of E- is to establish an integral information space providing the necessary conditions to increase economic efficiency, as well as that of state and local government. This is to be achieved via the right of freedom to search, transfer and disseminate information about economic and social development of society which is provided over a nation-wide information system. The information resources created within this system must become the basis for organising an integral national information resource, and further facilitate information cooperation between state and local authorities during the course of completing their tasks and functions. Lessons Learned The main conclusion made during the international assessment of the project for is that a vital and broadly recognised base for information infrastructure development was made possible, as was provision of ICT services to non-profit users. For the future, this can be used to further support development of information and telecommunication technologies in. According to expert assessments, this project was successfully implemented. The project achievements were based on a high professional level of project management, including members of the national implementing agency, and the enthusiasm and commitment from all project beneficiaries. The coordinated and consistent project implementation was made possible largely through establishing the International Advisory Board. This allowed for open dialogue with all key participants (government, academic institutions and NGOs), concerning the process of control over the project activities, adoption of strategic decisions and laying of the grounds for future sustainable project activities. In the context of rapid changes in national conditions concerning material, economic, institutional and legal aspects of the information infrastructure in, the project enabled the development of an important potential. Thereby UNDP played a significant catalytic role in creating a platform for national dialogue for future improvement of national opportunities in ICT development. Future of ICT for Development in national personnel working in this field had high qualifications. However, there is still a relatively weak understanding of the potential inherent in the ICT development process. It is necessary to take into consideration that organisation of a base for an open information infrastructure is one thing, whereas organising a sustainable system for information management with participation of all stakeholders is much different. Implementing effective information infrastructure requires high level understanding of applied processes (information management, exchange of knowledge, partnership, basis materials, and target impact). Therefore, building on the results of this project and learning from its experience, the Internet-2 project was started in The new project will further enhance the use of ICT for development in, and includes the following main activities: creating a comprehensive information environment for general education schools; support to e-literacy of the Lower House of the ian Parliament; capacity building for e-society using libraries as the host; capacity building for e-society through engaging civil society and NGOs; ICT strategy support, increasing project participatory management through its Advisory Board meetings; and training for schools, Parliament, librarians and NGOs for using modern ICT to increase local information resources, including distance learning technology. The Internet-1 project was implemented at early stages of ICT development in. It thus became an innovative means of supporting information infrastructure for sustainable development at the time when this sector was just emerging. However, the existing level of ICT infrastructure in still remains relatively weak. The project was mostly oriented toward provision of hardware and software (computers, modems, and connection points), since there was such a need for these, whereas 1 Karolina Datlikovich is Trud newspaper correspondent in, and Igor Tavgen is Internet project manager. 38 How to Build Open Information Societies. A Collection of Best Practices and Know-How