1. Partners: Botswana Speaks Parliamentary Ini5a5ve is a project co-funded by With the collabora5on of Business Sweden Botswana Speaks Parliamentary Ini4a4ve A Socio-Poli5cal Approach to eDemocracy Ini5a5ves in Developing Countries Kheira Belkacem, eGovlab, Stockholm University Vasilis Koulolias, eGovlab, Stockholm University Cedem 2013 Krems 22 May 2013

2. The Botswana Speaks Team The Parliament of Botswana eGovlab at Stockholm University / Department of Computer & Systems Sciences (DSV) Gov2u Swedish InternaFonal Development CooperaFon Agency With the collaboraFon of Business Sweden Botswana Speaks Parliamentary Ini5a5ve is co-funded by the Parliament of Botswana, Stockholm University and Gov2u in addi5on to the funding provided by SIDA.

3. Main points about Botswana Speaks Socio-poli5cal context Importance of oine consulta2ons as part of the project Partnership rather than donor-recipient dynamic Sustained capacity building

4. Project background Poli5cal stability, economic development ChieRainship system -> consulta5ve tradi5ons Policy context Botswana Vision 2016 Na5onal e-Government Strategy 2011-2016 IT infrastructure Mobile penetra5on 2011: 118%* * Botswana Telecommunica5ons Authority 2012 Mobile Broadband Internet Subscrip4ons* 2011: 185,971 subscribers 2012: 259,486 subscribers 2011: 203,885 subscribers 2012: 279,429 subscribers

5. Ini5al survey results (February 2012) Ci4zens (620 respondents) 98% own a mobile device 76% never communicated their concerns to their MPs 94% willing to share their opinions with MPs (online and oine) Members of Parliament (33 respondents +/- 60% of all MPs) 87% have used the Internet for work 91% willing to communicate with their cons5tuents 97% interested in directly informing ci4zens

6. Botswana Speaks: Descrip5on Fostering communica2on between MPs and ci2zens in 4 pilot cons2tuencies Who? Where? 4 MPs Parliament Services Cons5tuency administrators Local authori5es Ci5zens Bote5 North Maun West Nata/Gweta South East South How? When? -> online plaform -> SMS -> oine cons5tuency mee5ngs Pilot phase: April to December 2013

7. Tradi5onal Workow Na5onal Assembly Member of Parliament Cons5tuency Oce Local Authori5es District Council Land Boards District Administra5on Kgotla (Chiefs) Na4onal Assembly Ci5zens

8. Revised Workow with Botswana Speaks Na5onal Assembly Member of Parliament Cons5tuency Oce Local Authori5es District Council Land Boards District Administra5on Kgotla (Chiefs) Na4onal Assembly Cons5tuency mee5ngs Ci5zens Legisla5on introduced

9. Embracing consulta5ve tradi5ons: Cons5tuency Mee5ngs Modeled on Kgotla mee5ngs: o Take place in the 4 pilot cons5tuencies according to parliamentary business calendar. o Ci5zens are able to come and discuss draR bills and commikee mee5ngs business. o Ci5zens input gathered during oine mee5ngs is then made available on the plaform for Members of Parliament to consult

10. Botswana Speaks Plaform Case/Issue tracking system Submit an opinion/ a request for informa5on or a request for ac5on to your MP Enhance cons2tuency services Direct communica2on between ci2zens and members of the parliament DraJ bill/order papers posted on the plaKorm by Parliament Services Delibera5on tool Opinion poll Involve ci2zens in the early stages of the decision-making process

11. Botswana Speaks plaform

12. Mobile version - For all mobile devices - Mobile-friendly version of the plaform for ci5zens use - As a result of deep mobile penetra5on in country SMS integra4on - Dedicated phone number for each pilot cons5tuency - Submit an issue/case to MPs via SMS - Response via SMS or via online plaform

13. Capacity building as a key factor Partnership rather than donor-recipient dynamic Conceptualiza5on Implica5ons in decision-making process Design and interface (feedback Alpha and Beta versions) Sustained training/workshops With MPs With cons5tuency administrators With Parliament Services With ci5zens in the 4 cons5tuencies

14. Expected outcomes New technologies and tradi2ons work together Increased ci2zens par2cipa2on and enhance civic culture Ci2zens involvement in decision-making Ci2zens beKer connected to representa2ves Build capacity in the Parliament and among ci2zens in 4 pilot cons2tuencies

15. Partners: Botswana Speaks Parliamentary Ini5a5ve is a project co-funded by With the collabora5on of Business Sweden THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Kheira Belkacem, eGovlab, Stockholm University, Sweden kheira@egovlab.eu www.botswanaspeaks.org