saskia harmsen
| Organization | IICD |
|---|---|
| Organization type | Civil Society Organization/NGO |
| Country | Netherlands (Kingdom of the) |
This member participated in the following Forums
Forum Forum: 2013 CTA ICT OBSERVATORY “Strengthening e-Agriculture Strategies in ACP Countries”
Question 5 (opens 5 Mar.)
Submitted by saskia harmsen on Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:26
(from the evaluation document)
The participants agreed that the strategy had an active participation of the different key actors of the sector. The government representatives at national and department level made up the majority of participants (55%), plus an additional group of government representatives of other related government institutions. Within the group of the government, the majority represent technical positions in the government.
The civil society, the private sector and academic sector had a smaller participation. Participants from these sectors were chosen on the basis of their on-the-ground experience and the knowledge in the use and application of ICT in the agricultural sector in Bolivia. Although the experience of actors in the process is recognized, the limited participation of the producers themselves is indicated as a clear weakness of the process.
The majority (85%) of the participants were involved in workshops and focus groups organized during the process. A small group of 15 persons participated in preparing and writing the actual policy document. Most participants indicate that the process has been transparent and that their opinions were being valued and taken into account in the actual policy documents. They have been able to participate in the formulation of the vision and goals of ETICA as well as in the taking decisions around the policy process. The participants mentioned contributions to the focus and methodological procedures. Furthermore, they have been able to bring experience and knowledge on the characteristics of the sector and the needs of the beneficiaries to the process particularly at local and rural levels. The larger part had experience with policy formulation processes before, which informs us on their judgments around the quality of the ETICA process. 70% of the participants wanted to participate more in the process. Part of these persons were not able to do so due to other obligations or cost related limitations. Still, around 70% indicates to have received insufficient information, received information late or not at all. The information exchange is clearly a point to improve in future processes.
Learning points on the part of participants
Participants joined the process for various reasons. Most important reasons included the representation of interests of the professional area each participant represent and the interest to participate in future implementation of ETICA. Learning about ICT and the formulation of public policies represent a second important objective for the participants. In general, 20% of the participants have reached their objectives fully, while 70% has partially met the objectives.
Consulted on learning aspects, they state that their participation allowed them to learn about policy formulation (65%) and related issues such as policy participation, reaching agreement and lobbying in policy processes. Another learning area was related to the understanding of the potential contribution of ICT to development (50%) and knowledge about the needs of beneficiary groups. This motivated them to integrate ICT better into their professional activities.
The participants agreed that the strategy had an active participation of the different key actors of the sector. The government representatives at national and department level made up the majority of participants (55%), plus an additional group of government representatives of other related government institutions. Within the group of the government, the majority represent technical positions in the government.
The civil society, the private sector and academic sector had a smaller participation. Participants from these sectors were chosen on the basis of their on-the-ground experience and the knowledge in the use and application of ICT in the agricultural sector in Bolivia. Although the experience of actors in the process is recognized, the limited participation of the producers themselves is indicated as a clear weakness of the process.
The majority (85%) of the participants were involved in workshops and focus groups organized during the process. A small group of 15 persons participated in preparing and writing the actual policy document. Most participants indicate that the process has been transparent and that their opinions were being valued and taken into account in the actual policy documents. They have been able to participate in the formulation of the vision and goals of ETICA as well as in the taking decisions around the policy process. The participants mentioned contributions to the focus and methodological procedures. Furthermore, they have been able to bring experience and knowledge on the characteristics of the sector and the needs of the beneficiaries to the process particularly at local and rural levels. The larger part had experience with policy formulation processes before, which informs us on their judgments around the quality of the ETICA process. 70% of the participants wanted to participate more in the process. Part of these persons were not able to do so due to other obligations or cost related limitations. Still, around 70% indicates to have received insufficient information, received information late or not at all. The information exchange is clearly a point to improve in future processes.
Learning points on the part of participants
Participants joined the process for various reasons. Most important reasons included the representation of interests of the professional area each participant represent and the interest to participate in future implementation of ETICA. Learning about ICT and the formulation of public policies represent a second important objective for the participants. In general, 20% of the participants have reached their objectives fully, while 70% has partially met the objectives.
Consulted on learning aspects, they state that their participation allowed them to learn about policy formulation (65%) and related issues such as policy participation, reaching agreement and lobbying in policy processes. Another learning area was related to the understanding of the potential contribution of ICT to development (50%) and knowledge about the needs of beneficiary groups. This motivated them to integrate ICT better into their professional activities.
Submitted by saskia harmsen on Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:24
Dear all,
Apologies for contributing so late day in the discussions. Contributing to this question about the role of different stakeholders, I believe IICD's past experience with formulating the ICT for Agriculture strategy in Bolivia can be informative. Although the experience is slightly dated (2007), the process was a very interesting one, and the process experience was evaluated by various stakeholders and documented for us to draw from in this current work.
The initiative to develop an ICT policy for the agriculture sector was a result of the ICT Roundtable for the agricultural sector in July 2002, organized by the IICD with the participation of key stakeholders from civil society and the government. The development of an ICT policy and strategic framework was seen as a requirement to ensure appropriate implementation of ICT in the agricultural sector, particularly when aiming at an impact on the lower-income agricultural producers in isolated rural areas.
Related to the process of formulation of the Estrategia TIC Agropecuario (ETICA), the Ministry of Agriculture indicated in its initial ETICA plan that it had the intention to: ‘Elaborate and implement an ICT policy and strategy developed with and validated by key stakeholders from civil society and the private sector. The Ministry has taken upon a process that aimed at the institutionalization of ICT in a systematic and participative way and based on consensus between the public sector and the civil society and the private sector.’ To achieve this objective the Ministry a National Coordination Committee was set up with the task to plan, execute and evaluate the process of formulation of the strategy under the supervision of the Minister of Agrciulture. The Committee included:
Key steps formulation process ETICA:
Jul 02 Start project team
Aug 02 Reference report ICT in agriculture
Aug 02 Installation National Coordination Committee
Aug 02-Jun 03 Start publication monthly newsletter
Sep 02 Introduction workshop with government officials and key actors
Sep 02 - Mar 03 Awareness and capacity development program for government representatives
Oct-Nov 02 Elaboration of the draft policy
Jan 03 Validation workshops at regional (department) level
---------------------------------------
The document which this is drawn from was an internal document, but I can make it available to inform these debates. Hope it is useful for our collective goal!
Apologies for contributing so late day in the discussions. Contributing to this question about the role of different stakeholders, I believe IICD's past experience with formulating the ICT for Agriculture strategy in Bolivia can be informative. Although the experience is slightly dated (2007), the process was a very interesting one, and the process experience was evaluated by various stakeholders and documented for us to draw from in this current work.
The initiative to develop an ICT policy for the agriculture sector was a result of the ICT Roundtable for the agricultural sector in July 2002, organized by the IICD with the participation of key stakeholders from civil society and the government. The development of an ICT policy and strategic framework was seen as a requirement to ensure appropriate implementation of ICT in the agricultural sector, particularly when aiming at an impact on the lower-income agricultural producers in isolated rural areas.
Related to the process of formulation of the Estrategia TIC Agropecuario (ETICA), the Ministry of Agriculture indicated in its initial ETICA plan that it had the intention to: ‘Elaborate and implement an ICT policy and strategy developed with and validated by key stakeholders from civil society and the private sector. The Ministry has taken upon a process that aimed at the institutionalization of ICT in a systematic and participative way and based on consensus between the public sector and the civil society and the private sector.’ To achieve this objective the Ministry a National Coordination Committee was set up with the task to plan, execute and evaluate the process of formulation of the strategy under the supervision of the Minister of Agrciulture. The Committee included:
- Directors of the Ministry of Agriculture
- Representatives of other public entities including the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (CEPROBOL).
- Representatives of grass-roots organizations AOPEB and CIOEC with experience in ICT for agriculture programs.
- Representatives of NGOs APCOB, CIPCA, ACLO, CARE with experience in ICT for agriculture programs.
Key steps formulation process ETICA:
Jul 02 Start project team
Aug 02 Reference report ICT in agriculture
Aug 02 Installation National Coordination Committee
Aug 02-Jun 03 Start publication monthly newsletter
Sep 02 Introduction workshop with government officials and key actors
Sep 02 - Mar 03 Awareness and capacity development program for government representatives
Oct-Nov 02 Elaboration of the draft policy
Jan 03 Validation workshops at regional (department) level
---------------------------------------
The document which this is drawn from was an internal document, but I can make it available to inform these debates. Hope it is useful for our collective goal!