NDI at Right to Information Conference at Stanford University

NDI is presenting a number of papers at a Stanford University conference entitled: “Right to Information and Transparency in the Digital Age: Policy, Tools and Practices”. The conference “seeks to bring together people engaged in law, policy, social movements, administration, technology, design and the use of technology for accessing information.” Two papers  by Chris Doten and Lauren Kunis from NDI looked at information access and political participation in West Africa. 

Chris Doten’s paper, “Transparent Trees Falling in Empty Forests: Civil Society as Open Data Analysts  and Communications Gateways,” specifically focuses on access to and analysis of election data. NDI worked with Coalition for Democracy and Development in Ghana (CDD) in the recent Ghana election.  In the context of election data, in particular, Doten suggests there is a need for solid and publicly available analysis of available data and promotion of that analysis through various media, including publishing of raw data. Without analysis and public distribution through a variey of channels, election data is like the proverbial tree that falls in the woods with no one hearing it. By providing access and analysis Doten suggest that there is the potential for a better informed citizenry. 

Lauren Kunis’ paper, “‘Small Small’ -- Challenges and Lessons Learned in Integrating New Communication Strategies and Technology into West African Legislatures,” provides an analysis of ICT strategies designed to improve governmental transparency and efficiency in West African legislatures. Her analysis spans several countries, including Liberia and Nigeria, and centers on tailoring ICT efforts to the needs and constraints of individual countries. Her analysis suggests a “dual-track” approach to facilitate increased capacity and awareness. Although many ICT strategies will be limited to what she refers to using the Liberian expression “Small Small” or incremental changes, she highlights the need to pursue long-term, comprehensive programs to achieve sustainable results. 

Both these papers and others combine to provide insight into an area of civil society development that will only grow in importance as ICT continues to become more pervasive within nations and beyond. If you wish to participate in the conversation relating to these papers and others, the Twitter hashtag is #rtitech and #NDItech.