Role of Information and Communication Technology in Development

Concept

The meaningful integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in development processes emerged with the advent of computer systems. ICT plays a pivotal role in modernizing the approach and execution of development in a country. It facilitates multidimensional and innovative methods of conducting development, becoming a cornerstone of modern development practices globally. The credit for transforming development into a tangible and impactful process goes to ICT. It enables the experience of development in one location to be shared and felt in another, often described as making the world a "global village." ICT is a resource that creates a transformative experience in development. In Nepal, ICT is recognized as a tool for achieving good governance and is integral to both governance and development processes.

ICT in Development

ICT plays a significant role in executing development activities and ensuring their meaningful utilization. By connecting citizens and governments through networks, ICT establishes digital relationships, enabling accessible and scientific development and service delivery. This approach has proven robust and successful. ICT is crucial for modernizing, scientizing, and simplifying development processes through innovative and efficient methods.

Role of ICT in Development

Globalizing development processes.
Ensuring the desired flow of development-related information.
Supporting citizen education and development awareness.
Making development services swift and scientific.
Facilitating the adoption of successful global development models.
Promoting cost-efficiency and operational effectiveness.
Integrating technology into development processes.
Enhancing the speed and quality of public service delivery.
Supporting research and data-driven development methods.
Institutionalizing e-governance.
Promoting transparency and accountability in development.
Reducing corruption and malpractices.
Advancing good governance.

Need and Importance of ICT in Development

Developing and adopting e-governance.
Establishing an open government in line with democratic principles.
Fostering transparent and accountable work practices.
Supporting balanced and sustainable development.
Providing access to new methods, technologies, and development approaches.
Establishing connections between remote populations and the government through networking.
Ensuring citizens feel the presence of the state and government through communication tools.
Enhancing citizen education and development awareness.
Delivering government information and services to citizens.
Facilitating data collection, documentation, and utilization as needed.
Providing online services.
Reducing time, cost, and procedural complexities while improving quality and citizen satisfaction (reducing TCP, increasing QS).
Increasing transparency and participation in government activities.
Institutionalizing good governance with modernity in development processes.

Problems in the Role of ICT in Nepal’s Development

Lack of infrastructure for widespread ICT utilization.
Limited easy and accessible citizen access to ICT.
Absence of a culture of ICT utilization.
Insufficient resources and tools.
Shortage of skilled and tech-savvy human resources.
Weak citizen education.
Inadequate security and confidentiality measures for ICT systems.
Failure to integrate ICT into all development sectors.
Geographical barriers limiting access in rural areas.
Trust issues in offices due to inadequate cybersecurity.
Poor quality of technology (internet, software, servers).
Failure to institutionalize e-governance.

Steps to Address Problems in ICT’s Role in Nepal’s Development

Develop adequate infrastructure to enable ICT use across all sectors.
Ensure easy and accessible citizen access to ICT.
Promote a culture of ICT utilization.
Ensure the availability of sufficient resources and tools.
Provide training and education to develop skilled and tech-savvy human resources.
Strengthen citizen education.
Enhance security and confidentiality measures for ICT systems.
Integrate ICT into all development sectors.
Expand communication infrastructure to overcome geographical barriers in rural areas.
Address trust issues in ICT usage by ensuring legal validity and cybersecurity.
Prioritize and institutionalize e-governance with high government commitment.

Arrangements for ICT Use in Development in Nepal

a) Constitutional Provisions

Right to Communication (Article 19).
Right to Information (Article 27).

b) Legal Provisions

Right to Information Act, 2064 BS, and Regulations, 2065 BS.
Good Governance (Management and Operation) Act, 2064 BS, and Regulations, 2065 BS.
Electronic Transactions Act, 2063 BS, and Regulations, 2064 BS.
Telecommunications Act, 2053 BS, and Regulations, 2054 BS.

c) Policy Provisions

National Cybersecurity Policy, 2080 BS.
Information and Communication Technology Policy, 2072 BS.
Telecommunications Policy, 2060 BS.
National Mass Communication Policy, 2073 BS.

d) Institutional Provisions

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology.
National Information Commission.
Department of Information Technology.
National Information Technology Center.
ICT Divisions in various ministries.

e) Operational Provisions

Appointment of spokespersons and assistant spokespersons.
Designation of information officers.
Individual websites for each entity.
Digital Citizen Charter system.

Objectives of the National Mass Communication Policy, 2073 BS

Ensure freedom of expression, promote fair, impartial, and democratic media to guarantee citizens’ right to be informed, and establish a civilized and prosperous society.
Transform Nepal into an information and knowledge-based society through unrestricted press freedom and maximum media utilization, fostering a democratic society.
Enhance media quality to increase the credibility of journalism.
Promote access to media for all classes, regions, ethnicities, languages, genders, and communities to create a robust platform for public opinion.
Encourage active participation of women, Dalits, indigenous groups, persons with disabilities, Madhesis, marginalized communities, and backward regions in the media sector.
Promote good governance by developing self-reliant, independent, impartial, professional, ethical, and accountable media.
Encourage self-regulation and self-evaluation in media to foster clean, healthy, and ethical journalism.

Provisions of the Information and Communication Technology Policy, 2072 BS

Vision

Transform Nepal into an information and knowledge-based society through ICT utilization.

Mission

Achieve good governance, sustainable development, and poverty reduction through ICT.

Main Objectives

Make ICT accessible and affordable for all.
Promote sustainable, inclusive, and broad-based economic and social development through ICT.
Develop and expand ICT infrastructure.
Encourage innovative ICT use, research, and exploration to address environmental, economic, social, and technological challenges.
Develop human resources in the ICT sector and create opportunities for human resource development through ICT.
Promote good governance through ICT utilization.

3.9 Role of Information and Communication Technology in Development