ICT is considered paramount in improving the efficiency of the administration of cities countrywide. So why are so many South African municipalities grappling with poor service delivery?
This vital question will be answered by key representatives from national, provincial and local government at the ITWeb Technology in Local Government Conference, taking place at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, on 20 and 21 June 2006.
There are many factors to consider. How does municipal management classify and analyse technology solutions, to correctly account for their respective costs and benefits? What competencies are required and how are these measured, acquired and applied?
Through a combination of keynote speakers, breakaway sessions, panel discussions and workshops, the event will showcase ICT solutions that have helped and will help municipalities improve service delivery.
The conference will provide a platform for all stakeholders - both in the private and public sectors - to share information about a plethora of challenges and issues facing local government.
Companies operating in the private sector will offer technology-oriented solutions which can ramp up service delivery. Municipal representatives will share experiences with technology solutions they have used and which are working in their cities and towns.
ITWeb has secured leadership from Parliament, national government, provincial government and representatives from organised local government to speak on the importance of this sphere of government in service delivery.
Speakers are drawn from technology experts with an in-depth understanding of technology solutions that work in local government, and local government decision-makers, who have implemented ICT solutions to address service delivery challenges.
In addition to ICT solutions focusing on interventions in the running of local governments, such as financial management systems, wireless communications, GIS technology and e-billing systems, practical and real-world case studies will be presented across three central themes: e-management, e-commerce and e-democracy.
* E-management: The deployment of ICT systems to enhance management of local government, as well as streamlining of processes and flow of information.
* E-commerce: Citizens and business community transacting online to pay for goods and services like utility bills.
* E-democracy: Use of e-enabled communication channels by citizens, enabling them to participate in the decision-making process of local government.
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ITWeb is SA`s leading technology, business and financial news site and news service. Founded in 1996 by Jovan Regasek, a journalist and editor, ITWeb has a dominant place in South African online technology news provision, reaching over 40 000 readers a day and servicing a substantial corporate client base through its Virtual Press Office service.
Besides its main IT news portal (www.itweb.co.za), ITWeb operates a career portal (www.careerweb.co.za) and a training portal (www.trainingweb.co.za). It also publishes the weekly business technology news magazine, iWeek, and the monthly ITWeb Brainstorm magazine, an essential business read for those involved in IT.