Dear Colleagues,

 

Mobile services are quickly emerging as the new frontier in transforming government and making it even more accessible and citizen-centric by extending the benefits of remote delivery of government services and information to those who are unable or unwilling to access public services through the Internet or simply prefer to use mobile devices. In theory, many government services can be now made available on a 24x7x365 basis at any place in the country covered by mobile networks, which today means almost everywhere! Michael, correct me if Im wrong.

 

It is from this background that the World Bank in partnership with eGovWorld 2007 (www.egovworld.com) and African eDevelopment Resource Centre presents a dialogue on Mobile Government (mGovernment) on 29th November 2007, 4.30pm -7.00pm at the World Bank offices, Nairobi. The dialogue is live Video Conference and an integral part of the eGovWorld 2007 conference taking place in India 29-30 November 2007.

 

According to the ITU, the total number of mobile users worldwide as of late 2006 was about 2.7 billion and the number of internet users was just above 1.1 billion. This means that there is 33.6%  of world population (and 22.2% of developing  countries population) who already have mobile phones but are not yet using the Internet.

 

  • Does this provide a strong case for leveraging the mobile channel to dramatically improve access to public services, including electronic government services to those who can afford to use a personal or shared mobile phone?
  • Does this create an opportunity to connect in the near future the next two billion people to some of the benefits of e-government, e-health, e-education, e-banking and e-commerce?
  • How exactly can Mobile Government change the lives of common people in developing countries? What are best examples of such impact?
  • What are the key constraints to making this vision a reality?
  • How should governments change the way they do business to take advantage of mobile technologies?
  • What is the role of the private sector? Are there successful business models (e.g. PPP) for private sector companies to deliver value-added m-government services?

 

These are some of the questions that will be addressed.

 

Participation to the event is free; however, one needs to register to get access to the venue. If you are interested in participating send an email directly to susan@africanedevelopment.org for a registration form. Space is limited at the venue, only 20 places are available and will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis. Deadline for registration is Wednesday 22nd November.

 

 

Program:

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Welcome & Introduction

 

Samia Melhem, Senior Operations Officer, Global ICT, World Bank; and Chair, e-Development Thematic Group

Vikas Kanungo, Chairman, The Society for Promotion of e-Governance, India & Convener, eGovWorld 2007

 

Opening Remarks/Keynote address

 

R. Chandrashekhar, Additional Secretary (e-Governance), DIT, Government of India

 

Speakers

 

Ibrahim Kushchu, Associate Professor and Director, Mobile Government Consortium International & Author, "m-Government: An Emerging Direction in e-Government", UK

Hannes Astok, Member of Parliament & former Deputy Mayor, City of Tartu, Estonia

 

 

Kindest Regards

Harry Hare

Executive Director

African eDevelopment Resource Centre

3rd Floor, Nelleon Place, Raphta Road, Westlands

PO Box 49475 00100, Nairobi

Tel +254 20 4453445

Cel +254 725 650044