Strengthening Governments to Formulate Integrated Digital Strategies

Using digital technologies to drive productivity, economic growth and social prosperity is a key issue for government policy makers worldwide. During the last decade, governments recognized the impact that information and communication technology (ICT) can have on citizens' everyday lives, at home and at work; many of them formulated e-government strategies, designed and invested in a range of ground-breaking programs to provide better service delivery, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. However, the lack of integrated digital strategies has become an important problem for governments worldwide. It is only recently that government policy makers have started looking at the potential for integrated strategies to bridge the digital divide, minimize social exclusion, and the improve quality of economic and social life.