Stories from Technology for Transparency Network from May, 2010
[Report] Technology for Transparency
This report is the culmination of four months of research examining the objectives, challenges, successes, and effects of online technology projects that aim to promote transparency, political accountability, and civic engagement. It presents case studies, conclusions, and recommendations toward making the grassroots use of technology more effective in improving governance worldwide.
Technology for Transparency Review, Part VI
This post concludes the first phase of our research into the role of technology in the transparency and accountability movement by offering conclusions and recommendations related to projects of crime mapping, extractive industry transparency, local government, private sector transparency, and advocacy.
Technology for Transparency Review, Part V
Representative democracy, while necessary, takes citizens away from the decision making process. While traditional media tend to focus on individuals more than issues, a new generation of websites are combining parliamentary information with social media tools to give citizens more information about the profile and activities of their representatives, and to become more active in the legislative process.
Technology for Transparency Review, Part IV
While San Francisco's residents may be eager to send their local government a photograph of a pothole via Twitter, the same program might not be as effective in other communities where expectations of political representation and responsiveness are lower. Here is our review of civic complaint initiatives worldwide.
Technology for Transparency Review, Part III
New tools like Many Eyes and Ushahidi allow regular citizens to take part in election and budget monitoring. But our review of such initiatives so far reveal that much is still lacking until they make a measurable impact of increased accountability.
The Aid Transparency Movement
The momentum of the aid transparency movement is palpable, but without greater coordination and aggregation, so much transparency will lead to more confusion than clarity. Raw data must be presented in ways that are easy to understand, and that tie directly to accountability initiatives at the local and national level in each country.
Technology for Transparency in China
Some recent online projects promoting greater civic engagement and government accountability reflect the emerging power of the middle class and the democratic influence from outside of China. However, while the country undergoes a fundamental shift in how information is spread and controlled, the power of Chinese authorities in regulating communication and participation should never be under-estimated.
Technology for Transparency, Civic Engagement and Accountability in Latin America
Latin America has a long history of corruption, organized crime, and impunity. However, the region also has a mature civil society and dozens of technology projects that are poised to disrupt the status quo if they are able to attract more offline participation.
Brazil: Internet use for accountability, transparency and civic engagement: What is civil society doing?
Brazil's Technology for Transparency movement is young - all four case studies we reviewed were launched in the past year. Cultural, technical, and financing obstacles abound, but a soon-to-be-implemented Freedom of Information Law may help automate much of the time-consuming work.
Technology for Transparency: The South Asian Story
Democracy is still relatively young in South Asia, and not always stable. While politicians in the region are eager to integrate technology into their policy platforms, they are less enthusiastic about its use by activists who want more transparency and accountable governments.
Tech for Transparency in Sub-Saharan Africa
Transparency and accountability efforts are supported by a growing tech community in sub-Saharan Africa, though a widespread lack of access to information and communications technology (ICT) and a consequent lack of understanding and interest in these tools constitute a significant challenge to their success.
Transparency Projects in Central and Eastern Europe
There are a number of innovative projects in Central and Eastern Europe that use technology to promote transparency and hold leaders accountable, but a lack of political will has resisted implementing the reforms they seek. More cooperation through offline events could help.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Catching Up with Online Transparency Projects
The rise of multiparty democracy in Africa has led citizens and civil society to demand more transparency and accountability from their governments. New technologies can buoy their efforts, but such initiatives face major obstacles including infrastructure, lack of political will, and a shortage of techinical skills and personnel.
