EROPA Bulletin Volume 35 Nos. 1-2 | Page 9

Vol. 35 Nos. 1-2 (January-June 2014) 9 EROPA Bulletin UN e-government survey results released in June 2014 The 2014 edition of the United Nations E-Government Survey, “E-Government for the Future We Want” was launched in June 2014. The report takes its roots from one of resolutions of the UN General Assembly entitled, “The Future We Want”, which highlights the complexity of problems that institutions face in a globalizing world, and the role of public sector in attaining sustainable development. The report presents detailed results of the E-Government Survey initiated in January 2014, and discusses relevant aspects of e-government. The publication particularly deals with global trends in e-government, open government data, online systems for delivery of public goods and services, e-participation, holistic and collaborative approach to governance, and new channels for citizen involvement. The publication also highlights the so-called “digital divide”, and how governments are striving for a more inclusive use of e-government systems. The report recognizes that e-government and innovation can help shape the public sector as agents of sustainable development through the use of information and communications technology to modernize public service delivery, processes, government data and information, and platforms for people empowerment. The survey implies that new, more collaborative approaches to governance, as well as strong political will, are needed to build the capacities of both the public sector and citizens in managing innovative public service delivery models. It also reiterates that the ICT component of e-government should always be supported by collaboration, openness, transparency, accountability and participation, for it to support initiatives towards sustainable development. [EB] The 2014 UN E-Government Survey is available online: http://unpan3.un.org/ egovkb/Portals/egovkb/Documents/ un/2014-Survey/E-Gov_Complete_ Survey-2014.pdf. E-GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT INDEX: TOP 10 COUNTRIES COUNTRY Republic of Korea Australia Singapore France Netherlands Japan United States of America UK and Northern Ireland New Zealand Finland INDEX 0.9462 0.9103 0.9076 0.8938 0.8897 0.8874 0.8748 0.8695 0.8644 0.8449