eGov monitor asks for your opinions on how the Transformational Government strategy has to deliver for all and play it's role in our striving toward sustainable communities
This event series begins a discourse to be carried both online through eGov monitor and GovXchange communities as well as through the offline events being held around the country. Even if you cannot participate physically at the events, your views are important and the more contributions we receive the better will be the quality of discourse.
We have highlighted some perspectives from some stakeholders on the compex issues relating Transformational Government strategy to the sustainable communities agenda
We would like your views on these issues, please write to us at: rupert.george@egovmonitor.com
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In this stream we look at how regions around the UK can develop safe, successful and sustainable communities with socio-economic opportunities to improve quality of life. Further, these communities must be able to provide tools and processes to support those who are marginalized in society. Stakeholders across the political and sector divide agree with the overall policy outcome and no one disagrees that delivering sustainable communities will require all parts of society working together.
A successful example of a transformed community is Oxfordshire. John Glasson and Helen Lawton-Smith in their article for eGov monitor (node/4202) highlighted how Oxfordshire has evolved into a high growth technology driven economy from the traditional agriculture, brewery, and education sectors. According to the authors, the talent pool of local entrepreneurs, technology infrastructure, and access to research and a network of supportive organisations have been the main factors that ensured Oxfordshire’s high ranking in high-tech employment in the country and Europe.
Oxfordshire, has a natural advantage in developing sustainable communities due to the quality of its human capital and knowledge base. Hannu Piekkola, Head of Unit, The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy, explored the impact of lack of appropriate infrastructure and lack of skilled human capital can have significant negative impact on a community’s ability to compete in the knowledge economy (node/6304). The public sector needs to be an enabling force to ensure that the human capital in their geographic location has the necessary skills to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new economy.
A large group of our adult population in the UK do not have the necessary ICT skills to contribute to the knowledge economy. Mark Haysom, Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council (node/5182) discusses how they are working with employers and funding programmes to address this. The lack of ICT skills lead to digital exclusion which in turn leads to social and economic exclusion.
The communities@one programme launched by the Welsh Assembly government addresses this core issue of socio-economic exclusion due to lack of skills and access to infrastructure. Edwina Hart AM, the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Regeneration explores the programme in detail, in her interview (node/4885) and says “The initiative aims to bring digital technology to community and voluntary sector groups in the most deprived areas - it is essentially equality through technology. The brokers role is to find ways to engage people with technology, for example for parents, older people or males aged 25 plus, enabling them to engage with ICT and thereby participate in the knowledge economy. The limits to the project are the limits of our imagination.” Similarly, Andrew Davies, the Welsh Government Minister for Economic development, discussed how the Assembly government is looking to work together with the private and academic sector to create an environment for businesses to succeed. (node/4634)
Most stakeholders agree with the assessment of the minister where there is a need for government to take the lead in reforming itself and support the growth of communities. It needs to create a framework of competitiveness and collaboration and support innovation. The Government, again in partnership with other stakeholders need to identify and address the needs of those who do not have the requisite skills and access to infrastructure to fully participate in the new economy. The focus should rightly be on children but we need to address the needs of the adult population as well.
Currently, there remains significant sections of society that have been marginalised and are ill-equipped to capitalise on new socio-economic opportunities based on knowledge. This has led to social divisions, growth of radicalism and fundamentalism on all sides and as witnessed through the bombing in London, Madrid and New York, they can manifest themselves as significant threats to our security, both collective and individual.
The role of the private sector as well as the higher education sector is very significant. Private sector creates jobs while academia through research and innovation help make communities and businesses more competitive. In an article The Institute of Fiscal Studies in th highlights the impact of the R&D partnership between private and academic sectors on the UK knowledge economy and poses questions on how best to move ahead. (node/6560)
We conclude with an interesting insight from one of our London participants:
“While research has shown ICT can create a "digital divide", this divide is not solely due to an individual's social-economic status, but also linked to behaviours and attitudes. All too often, designers (and ICT enthusiasts) get caught up in the excitement of the latest gadget and its associated features (e.g. faster, smaller, more memory, customisable, added features, etc.), but there is still a number of people who simply see ICT as a tool to support them at work (or play). They want technology that is easy to use, affordable and useful.
Without technology London would no longer be as successful as it currently is (it could be argued that London would grind to a halt). However, much of the technology currently available would meet the needs of most businesses. We need to encourage a debate as to how we can best make use of the technology (and skills) available rather than looking for new innovations (with features many people do not need or even want).
For the elderly and disabled, existing technologies could be adapted so that they too are able to benefit from ICT. For example, those with visual impairments could benefit hugely from some of the products available to enhance their vision and allow them to live active and independent lives, however, for many, such products are too expensive. We need to look at ways to reduce the costs of such items and to make such products available to those who will truly benefit from them. There is little benefit in developing such products that remain in laboratories, only presented during a science convention or are limited to those who can afford them. We need to look at why such products cost so much to manufacture and do something to improve the current situation and use ICT to enhance the quality of life for so many.
The private sector has a vital role to play in ensuring the sustainability of London and supporting the Transformation agenda. They have the funds and skills available to support Government organisations. They can help innovate the way current technologies are currently used as well as help push the boundaries of what is currently available. However, such a partnership will only work if the private sector work alongside Government offices and do not simply provide a service, which they can then choose to no longer provide when it is no longer to their benefit”
Don’t forget we would like your views to help explore these issues, so please write with your thoughts via email at: rupert.george@egovmonitor.com