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Policy environmentHypothesis : - ICT activities cannot be in isolation from the policy environment. ICT policies may restrict the ICT activity. Other policies may encourage or discourage the application of ICTs. If ICTs are to be part of a sustainable activity there will need to be a suitable policy environment.
Most of the case studies report that they are working within existing policy arrangements. Many of them are using ICTs as a tool in their development activities which are being carried out within the policy context of development programmes and national ICT policies (where these exist). In most cases the ICT policy for the country was in a fledgling state. The case studies therefore shed very little light on the form or structure of ICT policies, and their influence on ICT activities.
With the creation of PRSPs more governments are beginning to look at new ways of collecting information in order to meet donor and World Bank ‘participatory’ requirements. The use of ICTs in both increasing access to government facilities and improving data collection is shown through a number of the case studies.
Gyandoot seems to be an excellent example of how ICTs can add value to existing policies. Through the ICTs the villagers were able to access government services that otherwise would take days to access. Policies put in place that were intended to assist the communities had had their value eroded by long delays on bureaucracy and the presence of corruption. The ICTs seem to bypass the delays and have contributed to government policies being what they were intended to be.
There are two case study ACISAM and Revistazo examples that show the need for changes in ICT policies. Special arrangements were needed for ACISAM to overcome policy restrictions. It would have been helpful if ACISAM as a small NGO could have bid for radio and television space. However, policy in Honduras is such that this was not possible. Therefore the alternative, cable television was used. Revistazo found that some laws pertaining to publishing were not clear when applied to an internet site. They registered as a magazine to overcome the possible confusion.
Regarding wider policy restrictions the only affect on an organisations work was concerned on Digital Village. Digital village built upon the policies on youth and employment within South Africa. However in this case, the absence of certification for their training DIGITAL VILLAGE Access to government support When the centre meets the policy framework requirements it can access government funding for the delivery of learnerships. It will also stand a chance of financial support for the development of new learnerships. National government as a stakeholder has facilitated a positive policy environment for projects such as the centre. For instance, previously such projects could not give recognised qualifications unless they were an extension of an educational institute. Currently they can apply for registration as accredited providers. This also opens other benefits such as state subsidies, contracts and subsidised learners under special conditions. has lessoned the value of the centre to its clients. It seems important that specialist ICT activities not only fit within the existing policy environment but also be seen to do so.
The case studies support the hypothesis. They illustrate that ICT policies can affect the day to day working of the ICT activity (particularly negatively, e.g. ACISAM and Revistazo). They also illustrate how the ICT activity is particularly enhanced when planned to be set in the context of other policies, and in some cases can even influence change of policies.
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