Dear Friends,
The South India Regional Workshop on "Software Principles in the Public
Sector, with focus on Public Education" went off quite well, with some
useful discussions on the concept and practice of public software, and
would like to share with you the *'Workshop report'.* (available on
http://www.public-software.in/node/694 )
This workshop was not only an event to conceptualize 'public software',
understand experiences in its design and implementation, but also
intended to bring like minded people together to work over a longer
period to mainstream 'public software' in the public sector.
Keeping this in mind, we request your participation/support for the
following.
1. Joining and participating in the mailing list
[email protected], which will serve as a forum to
discuss public software at a concept, policy, design and program levels.
2. Collaborate and give your comments by 15th March on the document
*'Guiding Principles for Public Software'*, (available on
http://www.public-software.in/node/694)
<http://www.public-software.in/node/694>
We look forward to your suggestions in our endeavour to strengthen our
public systems by using software, that by being aligned to public sector
principles of universal access, equity, transparency and participation,
works to further strengthen our public systems. We will also keep you
updated on the plans for the International Workshop on similar theme at
Kochi in April, which would be followed by regional workshops across the
country to discuss relevance/importance of public software to the public
sector.
As part of this series, a workshop on "Public Software for Social Sector
-- Principles and Practice" co-organised by Digantar with UNESCO,
Knowledge Commons, Digital Empowerment Foundation and IT for Change was
held in Jaipur. This workshop commenced with presentations and talks
relating to the importance of public software to society, especially to
the social sector by senior academics and practitioners. In the
afternoon, a volunteer team helped individuals and organizations migrate
to public software platforms. Please find the concept note of this
workshop here: http://www.public-software.in/Jaipur (English) and
http://www.public-software.in/taxonomy/term/54 (Hindi)
Thanks and warm regards,
Krittika
On behalf of:
e-Governance Department, Department of Public Instruction and Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan (Government of Karnataka); Karnataka Jnana Aayoga
(Karnataka Knowledge Commission); Solution Exchange / ICT for
Development; UNESCO; and IT for Change
Note:
/Public Software - Software developed for the public good, which is
publicly owned.
Public Sector - Institutions working for public interest. Includes
governments, academic institutions, civil society (NGO/CBO), community
media institutions etc/
Krittika wrote:
*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*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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--
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*
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