The Open eGovernance Index (OeGI) is an action-research project that aims to develop a quantitative tool to gauge the state of eGovernance around the world. It builds on an earlier effort by the Foundation for Media Alternatives to develop and popularize an “Open eGovernance Index” which hopes to be a normative tool for assessing how countries are utilizing openness in network societies to enhance public service, citizen participation/engagement, and addressing communication rights. An initial framework and assessment tool has been developed and pilot-tested in four Asian countries (Hong Kong, Pakistan, Philippines, and Thailand) in 2012.
The objectives of the Open eGovernance Index project are the following:
- Further understand democratic eGovernance, particularly through developing discourse on “Open eGovernance”;
- Help develop policy on ICT and governance, and engage policy stakeholders directly around the notions of “Open Governance”; and
- Develop concrete resources for citizens/individuals, groups/non-government organizations to engage policy makers on “Open eGovernance.”
The Index measured five dimensions which include meshed eGovernment, eParticipation channels, universal access/digital inclusion, civil society use of ICTs, and fostering an enabling environment for open eGovernance.
[googlepdf url=”http://www.fma.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/5-Dimensions.pdf” width=”100%” height=”600″]
OeGI was piloted in five countries – Colombia, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Uganda – all with differing levels of socio-economic development, state of infrastructure, and ICT policies. These countries were chosen because of the apparent diversity of appreciation of “eGovernance” and “openness” not only among their governments but also across their civil society sector.