A similar situation was observed in a recent event held in Dhaka, where a significant number of parliament members attended to discuss an ICT-based Parliament in Bangladesh. Very impressive and positive discussions went on in the event. Most MPs very openly stated their inabilities in using new technologies, particularly the internet, in their office work. But they realised very much the importance of ICT at the present age of the globalisation. They also understood how much they lose due to a lack of awareness of ICT. This is absolutely a congenial atmosphere for a country to become self-reliant in technology. The global experience enable us to learn how the implementation of e-parliament is possible in a developing country like Bangladesh, through empowerment of respected members of parliament (MPs).
The situation was not like this in the mid-nineties when the Commonwealth Science Council (CSC) of the Commonwealth Secretariat, based in London, tried to empower policy makers, decision-makers, technocrats, bureaucrats, scientists, technologists, researchers and medical professionals with ICT in its member countries. Bangladesh is a member country of the Commonwealth as well as the United Nations. Both organisations have research divisions for social, cultural, scientific and technological development in their member countries. They identify the needs of a country to reduce the technology gaps with other countries and adopt technology development programmes in the respective countries.
Unfortunately many countries cannot avail themselves of these opportunities, due to a shortage of relevant experts or lack of cooperation from their respective governments. In the mid-nineties, Bangladesh faced a similar situation due to a lack of awareness among policy makers and decision makers, when the Commonwealth identified Bangladesh as a country that required technological development to catch up with the rest of the world. They came forward with the project idea of empowering senior policy makers, decision-makers and others in senior positions. The director of the CSC identified this writer to take responsibility for organising the Commonwealth-formulated ICT programmes in Bangladesh. It was a much harder job to attract participants to learn something that their children or grandchildren do. The organiser claims partial success because not only male but also female professionals accepted the invitation and got training. At that time, only Bangladesh and Tanzania succeeded in implementing ICT courses under the auspices of the CSC.
There are many risks, as any move to e-government or e-commerce entails massive social transformation and raises political risks. Parliaments have to overcome their own internal regulations and rules that inhibit transparency and accountability, and if changed, would make technology more effective. There is strong support and funding from the donor community for e-government that is seen as "having the ability to transform relations with citizens, business and other arms of government. E-government aims to make the interaction between government and the citizens more friendly, convenient, transparent and inexpensive" (Bassat, 2006).
For parliaments, the benefits of ICT can be enormous. ICT can make the democratic process more transparent, accessible and accountable, by facilitating access of members of parliaments, parliamentary administrations, media and citizens to information and services. ICT can be instrumental in strengthening citizen engagement, providing innovative ways to interact with citizens, as well as enable their access to parliamentary proceedings and documents. The application of ICT to internal practices and services can help to make parliaments more efficient in carrying out their legislative, oversight and representational functions. Also, ICT can help connect parliamentarians and parliamentary institutions with their counterparts, thus strengthening their knowledge and information on the issues they confront. Under the e-parliamentary system, members will be able to file their queries to the government 'online,' leading to speedy and paperless flow of information across the treasury and opposition benches. The MPs can send their questions to the Speaker's office via the internet under the new system. Parliaments, the cradle of democracy, have critical roles to play by presenting the right values and policy directions to nations.
Like the CSC-initiated ICT programme, the United Nations University (UNU) at Bonn, Germany, has taken an excellent initiative for reducing the digital gaps among member countries through its Science Connect Country Ambassador in the respective country. These Ambassadors believe in the vision of science connect and support the expansion of scientific activities throughout the world. They promote the Science Connect initiative as a place for cooperation with academia, universities, and organisations that need science-based technology support. The initiative first taken in Europe, then Africa and recently in (Bangladesh) Asia, gives responsibility to this writer as the Science Connect Country Ambassador for Bangladesh. If translated in the local language, Bangla, it becomes Bangladesh-Biggan-Doot. Keeping the example of CSC-formulated ICT program in front, it is expected that the present government and the authority concerned will utilise the full potential of the Bangladesh-Biggan-Doot in implementing an e-parliament in the Digital Bangladesh, under the auspices of the United Nations University.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Lutfor Rahman
Quelle/Source: The Daily Star, 19.12.2009
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