Technology innovations in public service delivery for sustainable development

Abstract

This chapter focuses on how ICT can be deployed to assist in the design and delivery of innovative public services in support of sustainable development. In many parts of the world, and especially in developing countries, basic public services like education, health, basic infrastructures, as well as water and sanitation, are often poor and patchy even when available. Such services are reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda for 2030, and also address challenges like poverty, food, housing and employment. All of these need innovative public service delivery if targets are to be achieved by 2030. However, the provision of such services is increasingly challenged by the diversity of social needs across different locations and population segments. Mainstream, largely off-the-shelf, ICT has tremendous potential today and in the near future to innovatively address these needs and challenges, and there are already many valuable experiences both from developed and developing countries about how this can make huge differences to public service delivery. The chapter also addresses the governance and policy issues that need to be addressed in this context.