TechVelopment: Approach and Narrative - Tech and Digitalisation in Danish Development Cooperation in 2019
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TechVelopment:
Approach and
Narrative
Tech and Digitalisation in
Danish Development
Cooperation in 2019
1Smartphone adoption,
2017
59%
55%
34%
Sub-Saharan Emerging Global
Africa Markets
Source: The Mobile Economy
Sub-saharan Africa 2018
Introduction
We are in the midst of a technological re- digital technologies is already improving
volution that will fundamentally change societies and people’s lives. E-learning
the way we live, work and communica- allows provision of education indepen-
te. We do not know exactly how it will dent of time and place, mobile financial
unfold. However, one thing is clear: services reduce corruption, online access
The fourth industrial revolution implies to meteorological information enables
significant challenges and opportunities farmers to optimise their harvest, and
and is a potential game changer in nearly solar-energy brings electricity to the
all aspects of society. New technologies remotest villages.
also represent an important new toolbox
in our development cooperation and At the same time, nearly half of the
could disrupt traditional development world’s population is not using the inter-
cooperation with completely new ways of net 3, and nearly two billion people do not
working and delivering results. own a mobile phone 4. These numbers
indicate that while the potential for crea-
The International Telecoms Union (ITU) ting development through digitalisation
estimates that seven billion people - 95% is massive, digitalisation also causes new
of the global population - live in an area gaps between the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’
covered by mobile-cellular network, and and new groups are left behind. In
two-thirds of the population live within addition, digitalisation disrupts the esta-
an area covered by a mobile broadband blished way of doing things, including
network1. For those with access, digital current labour markets through e.g.
technologies are enablers, drivers and robotics and automation thereby causing
accelerators of sustainable development loss of traditional jobs.
and growth2. The exponential spread of
2This strategic note lays out the approach The Sustainable Development Goals are
to digitalisation and new technology ambitious and can only be achieved by
in Danish development cooperation, in making the best use of new technologies
short ‘TechVelopment’. As the pace of to accelerate development and ensure
technological development constantly sustainable growth. Thus, digitalisation
reshapes the agenda and brings new is a cross-cutting tool to implement our
issues, opportunities and challenges on strategy, “The World 2030”. We must be
the table, this strategic note is applicable able to identify and harness the digital
for one year, 2019, and will be regularly dividends and contribute to bridging the
updated. digital divides. We must also keep our-
selves informed about the technological
Denmark has positioned itself pro-acti- development and its implications for our
vely by elevating technological diplo- partner countries.
macy, TechPlomacy, to a crosscutting
foreign and security policy priority and Denmark has a strong history of digital
by appointing the world’s first Tech innovation, including in the public
Ambassador and establishing a global sector. According to the 2018 United
tech-representation with a presence in Nation’s e-government survey, Denmark
Silicon Valley, Copenhagen and Beijing. is the best in the world when it comes
Through the TechPlomacy initiative, the to e-government. Denmark also tops
Danish government aims to create new the EU’s Digital Economy and Society
avenues for dialogue and engage strate- Index (DESI) 2017 as the most advanced
gically with technology companies, other digital economy in the EU. Denmark has
governments, civil society and internati- knowledge and experience from our
onal organisations on both opportunities own digital journey to share with our
and challenges of technology. partners. At the same time, we are aware
that developing countries are skipping
the technological evolution process,
Techplomacy is an attempt of rethin-
leapfrogging technologies in areas
king the traditional conception of
such as energy, education, healthcare
diplomacy and foreign policy in an
and financial services. In these cases,
increasingly digital age.
Denmark can also learn from innovation
taking place in our partner countries and
To remain a relevant and effective emerging economies.
development partner, it is also crucial
for Denmark to make digitalisation and
technological innovation a crosscutting
focus area in our development coopera- 1
ITU (2016): ICT Facts and 3
ITU (2018): 2018
tion. TechVelopment is used to describe Figures Global and Regional ICT
Estimates
the track under the TechPlomacy initiati- 2
The World Bank Group
(2016): World Devel- 4
The World Bank Group
ve that deals with promoting innovation
opment Report 2016. (2016): World Devel-
and technology in Denmark’s develop- Digital Dividends opment Report 2016.
Digital Dividends
ment cooperation.
3The strategic objective and role
of the Danish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs
To respond to the context of the oppor- The scale, complexity and interconnec-
tunities and challenges of technology in ted nature of the sustainable develop-
development, the overall objective of ment goals, combined with the rapid
the Danish TechVelopment engagement expansion of stakeholders able to contri-
is to: bute to achieving them, requires a new
approach to collaboration. Focus must
Accelerate the implementation of be on ensuring conducive conditions in
the SDGs through application of new partnerships and eco-systems focusing
technologies, address the challenges on providing solutions for sustainable
associated with adoption of these development, thereby allowing stake-
technologies and support efforts to holders with the technological expertise
bridge digital divides. and networks to pursue technologies
that serve the public good.
In our effort to meet that objective in
our development cooperation, digital We will create results through partners-
technologies are primarily a means to hips in partner countries, with local tech
achieve results rather than a goal in hubs, with international organisations,
itself. In other words: Digitalisation is with civil society, with research instituti-
not a separate policy area, but a tool em- ons and with the private sector. Denmark
bedded in the comprehensive approach can play an important role in coopera-
of Danish development policy, which is ting with innovative actors on promoting
based on partnerships, collaboration, new digital solutions. This includes tra-
willingness to take risks and openness. ditional diplomacy – opening doors – but
We will work continuously on strengt- also being ready and able to invest and
hening the ‘digital mindset’ in our own carry some of the risks when new actors
organisation in order to fully incorporate with new ideas appear.
digital solutions as tools in our develop-
ment cooperation.
4Our main role will be:
• On an operational level to deliver results through partnerships in our
bilateral cooperation, and to promote exchange of knowledge and
foster innovation, synergy and breaking new ground.
• On a normative level to contribute to and facilitate dialogue and mutual
learning mainly in multilateral fora regarding the challenges increa-
sed digitalisation implies for societies as well as potential solutions,
including addressing issues such as digital governance, regulation and
framework conditions.
Strategic priorities for
Denmark’s TechVelopment
engagement
The strategic priorities for our TechVel- particular opportunity to add value. We
opment engagement include a geograp- will pursue these key priorities actively
hical and a thematic focus. through partnerships as well as in inter-
national policy discussions and global
GEOGRAPHICALLY, our engagement is cooperation.
focused primarily on Africa, in particular
our African priority countries. Africa has
87 %
the greatest digital divide combined with
a significant leapfrogging potential. The
particular focus in our priority countries
is to promote good practice examples of of African countries have a
low degree of e-government
how new technologies can be integrated
compared to
as a tools in our country programmes in
13%
synergy with our existing activities.
THEMATICALLY, we select four areas to
be our thematic key priorities reflec- of Asian countries.
ting Danish core competences and a Source: E-governement Survey 2018
5Thematic key priorities
Addressing the digital gender divide
Since the mid-1980s women and girls’ to use the internet than men6, inhibiting
rights and gender equality have consti- their ability to fully participate in and
tuted a major priority in Danish develop- connect to their society and the world.
ment cooperation. As digital technology
has become an increasingly important Denmark will seek to promote empow-
tool for education, financial inclusion, erment of women and girls by enabling
entrepreneurship, civic participation, their contribution to the technological
health services and information, women development and by efforts to bridge the
are being left behind. As an example gap between men and women’s access
there are 184 million fewer women than to and benefit from innovative techno-
men who have access to mobile phones logies. A central element of this effort
in developing countries5. In Africa speci- is women’s and girls’ digital literacy and
fically, women are 50 percent less likely skills.
Promoting digital solutions in good governance and human rights
Digital technologies are offering new rights. E-governance is an area where
opportunities for increased accountabili- Denmark, based on our own experiences
ty, transparency and citizen-participation with a highly digitalised public sector
in policy-making and service provision. and a rights-based service delivery, has
However, the technological development valuable knowledge to share.
also presents new challenges. Digital
services increase the risk of misuse of Denmark will promote e-government
data and digital identities. In addition, and e-governance in developing coun-
digital services are increasingly intro- tries with particular focus on protecting,
duced in functions where governments respecting and fulfilling human rights
have a core mandate to deliver the and promote access to services through
service, i.e. land rights or personal ID. If digital technologies. We will also use our
governments are not offering digital ser- own story of public digital innovation to
vices, there is a risk that private opera- shape global dialogue and cooperation
tors in effect crowd government services within this field, including the protection
out, thus undermining the state’s capa- of human rights in relation to techno-
city as a duty bearer to ensure people’s logy.
6Promoting digital skills, inclusive and sustainable economic
growth and decent work, especially for the youth
Denmark will continue and expand Denmark will also promote digital
support to the integration of new solutions in education and digital skills,
technologies in existing private sector especially for the youth. In particular,
eco-systems through pilot projects young people are creators as well as
initiated in 2018. Further more, new and quick adaptors of new technologies,
digital technologies will be promoted as and thus part of the solution to reap
a driver in market-driven partnerships, the demographic dividend in Africa. The
for example under the programme Part- internet and digital technologies offer a
nering for Green Growth and the Global huge potential to create new decent jobs
Goals (P4G). and growth as well as empower young
people’s participation in governance.
Strengthening the humanitarian response and development
efforts through technological innovation
Denmark will support responsible instance iris scanning for refugee
technological innovation in our humani- registration and technological innovation
tarian response and development efforts has the potential to bridge the hum-dev
through our long-term partnerships to nexus. However, it also creates new chal-
ensure that our partners are geared to lenges and risks such as data security for
respond to current and future global refugees. Denmark will take into account
challenges in an ethically sound manner. opportunities as well as challenges when
Technological advances are providing supporting technological innovation in
new ways of helping those in need, for humanitarian action.
In Africa, woman are
50%
... less likely to use the
184
fewer women than men
million
internet than men who have access to mobile
phones in developing
countries
5
GSMA (2018): The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2018.
6
The World Bank Group (2016): World Development Report 2016. Digital Dividends.
7Working through
partnerships
Denmark will advance the agenda and dimensions of technological devel-
leverage its influence through establis- opments. Denmark will furthermore
hed strategic partnerships with the EU, explore ways to support the UN Secreta-
UN, World Bank and other multilateral ry General’s efforts aimed at integrating
organisations. innovation and technology in the UN
reform process. We are also promoting
This includes supporting and coordi- efficiencies in the way the multilateral
nating our efforts with the EU’s efforts cooperation utilises technology, digitali-
on D4D and close cooperation with the sation and innovation in its endeavours
World Banks Digital Development Part- through targeted support to and enga-
nership (DDP), where Denmark partici- gement with the UN and selected UN
pates as an active member e.g. through agencies at the global level.
DDP’s steering committee and a secon-
ded senior ICT policy expert to DDP. Denmark will also enhance focus on
innovation, digitalisation and technology
As part of the wider TechPlomacy efforts, in cooperation with civil society organi-
Denmark will engage with the UN system sations and private actors, e.g. tech hubs
and other partners to promote dialogue shaping their local start-up ecosystem.
on normative and human rights-related
The Principles for Digital
Development
In our TechVelopment engagement, The principles are: 1) design with the
Denmark takes into account the nine user; 2) understand the existing ecosy-
Principles for Digital Development7. stem; 3) design for scale; 4) build for sus-
The principles are globally recognised tainability; 5) be data driven; 6) use open
guidelines for international development standards, open data, open source and
practitioners on how to use technology open innovation; 7) reuse and improve
in development projects and engage in existing tools; 8) address privacy and
continuous learning. security; 9) and be collaborative.
2
www.digitalprinciples.org/
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