HIGH-LEVEL NAPLES WORKSHOPS FOCUS ON IMPACT OF ‘ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT’

AS LEAD-IN TO THIRD GLOBAL FORUM FOR REINVENTING GOVERNMENT

NAPLES, 15 March (DESA) -- With the co-sponsorship of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and the Government of Italy, three days of high-level workshops focusing on the most critical issues of electronic government and its impact on developing countries were held from 12 to 14 March in Naples, Italy.  The high-level workshops opened a week of conferences and seminars leading up to the Third Global Forum for Reinventing Government, which was held from 14 to 17 March.  National and international leaders have gathered to explore how best to foster democracy and development through

‘e-government’.

The workshops are intended to heighten awareness, explore e-government challenges and exchange experiences among developing countries and countries in transition, enabling them to effectively compete in a knowledge- and information-based economy.  The workshops articulate the most critical e-government issues and assist countries in exploring ways of taking full advantage of the most innovative technological advancements and leapfrogging opportunities. 

The workshops were inaugurated by:  Giandomenico Magliano, Director-General for Cooperation and Development of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Vincenzo Schioppa, Diplomatic Adviser for the Ministry of Public Administration; and Guido Bertucci, Director of the DESA Division for Public Economics and Public Administration.

In his opening address to over 125 workshop participants, Mr. Bertucci said, “Information technology is rapidly transforming all the sectors of the global economy, redefining such concepts as competitiveness, quality, delivery, responsiveness and innovation.  New ways of delivering services have been invented, and new rules and regulations are being implemented”.

A representative of the Italian Government stressed the commitment of the Italian people to assist in bridging the digital divide.

Mr. Bertucci added that e-government had rapidly become one of the most important applications of modern information technology, and that he hoped the workshops and the Forum would provide a useful roadmap for capacity-building activities in developing countries.

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