*South India Regional Workshop on "Software Principles for the Public
Sector, with focus on Public Education"*
Policy makers from the four South Indian States (Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) and Pondicherry will meet in Bangalore
on 1 and 2 Feb for a "*South India Regional Workshop on 'Software
Principles for the Public Sector, with Focus on Public Education" *along
with members from academia and civil society. This workshop is being
co-organized by e-Governance Department, Department of Public
Instruction and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (Government of Karnataka),
Karnataka Jnana Aayoga (Karnataka Knowledge Commission), UNESCO and IT
for Change (ITfC).
As software becomes important for almost all organizational processes,
its importance to governments is no less. In fact digital tools and
systems, if employed appropriately, can be instruments of major
governance reform in India. In this context it is important to discuss
what are the specific characteristics and imperatives of software for
the public sector. Are the corresponding requirement of kinds of
software, and its processes of design, development, procurement,
implementation, enhancement / customization, audit etc identical to that
of the private sector? What are unique aspects and issues vis-a-vis
public sector software?
The workshop is an opportunity to conceptualize principles for 'software
for the public sector' and discuss the challenges and possibilities in
adopting software for the public sector on a large scale for maximum
societal benefit. Day 1 will focus on public education. Day 2 will
evolve overall public sector software principles.
The workshop will aim to contribute to a better understanding of how the
specific contexts of the public sector, including its principles of
universal access, participation, sharing / strengthening commons,
transparency, social justice and equity inform the design of software
for the public sector. This event will also promote sharing of
experiences and lessons in "public sector software" development and
implementation programs in southern states of India .
Two documents will be created from discussions: *'Guiding principles for
public sector software*' and '*Experiences and learnings as well as
challenges from public software projects*'. These documents will feed
into a subsequent international workshop on a similar theme being
organized by Government of Kerala, UNESCO, Solution Exchange, and IT for
Change in April 2010.
The concept note for the workshop and related documents are available on
www.Public-Software.in <http://www.Public-Software.in/> . Comments and
suggestions welcome!
--
Krittika Vishwanath
IT for Change
Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities
Tel:9535321980
www.ITforChange.net
*IT for Change is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with United Nations' Economic and Social Council*
_______________________________________________
network mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.fosscom.in/listinfo.cgi/network-fosscom.in
