The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and The Open Data Institute (ODI), organizes a workshop to introduce global trends and best practices in e-Participation and open data.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday 19 September 2017, in the InterContinental – Dubai Festival City. It will be hosted by Mr. Richard Kerby, the Inter-Regional Advisor in UNDESA e-Government, and a number of experts, as well as leaders of smart transformation in the government entities, managers of corporate communication departments, e-Participation and smart data officials, and a number of stakeholders.

The workshop addresses the role of open data in enhancing the government approach towards strengthening digital presence and smart services, in addition to the national efforts in enhancing the principle of economic sustainability. The workshop also addresses the role of data in promoting the United Nations Goals for sustainable development.

Concerning e-Participation, the workshop presents the TRA’s efforts in launching the national portal for e-Participation ‘Sharik.ae’, the implementation of the governmental method of participation, and the government entities contribution in this portal. A number of government entities will also have the opportunity to present their successful practices in this context. The workshop organizers expect a significant attendance due to its important topics and impact on the future stages of smart transformation in the UAE.

H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, TRA Director General, emphasizing the importance of this workshop, said: ‘The open data and participation workshop comes at a time when the government is working closely with the leadership to shape the future of the post-oil-era, as the principles of sustainability, innovation and increased reliance on digital knowledge are firmly established. We, in TRA and the mGovernment, are in the process of enhancing cooperation with other government entities to focus on open data, in accordance with the global developments in this context.’

H.E. Al Mansoori added: ‘Open data and e-Participation are important elements for enhancing the digital presence of the UAE government, in addition to increasing access to global leadership in smart government services, one of the National Agenda Indicators.’

Al Mansoori indicated that holding this workshop is part of the response plan to the UAE Cabinet directives to implement the government accelerators for achieving the National Agenda, as well as the country’s wise leadership directives in enduring the teamwork to achieve the UAE Vision 2021.

The e-Participation is associated with a number of national indicators such as happiness, competitiveness, smart services and network readiness. It is a mean to enhance the relation between the government and the public in order to develop policies and services. The UAE, under the wise leadership guidance, was one of the first countries to use the means of communication to hear the public, fulfill their requirements and monitor their vision of the future, thus enhancing the interactive relationship between the leadership and society.

The workshop is planned to start with the speech of TRA. The first session will include several important topics, such as e-Participation and its impact on achieving sustainable development goals, which will be presented by Mr. Kerby. It will also include the e-Participation plan on the national portal, organized by the e-Participation team, and a presentation of the best practices in e-Participation through models of Ministry of Health & Prevention and the Ministry of Finance.

The second session will include an ODI working paper, presented by Dr. Yasser Jarrar, chairman of ODI Dubai, a session entitled ‘the national data portal’, organized by the open data team, in addition to highlights on best practices in open data, through presenting the practice of Dubai Data Establishment.

After that, the floor will be open for discussion and dialogue, to answer questions, discuss experiences, exchange thoughts and ideas and draw solutions.

The workshop is expected to be one of the leading experiences in field of exchange of ideas and information, promoting the transition into the future and shaping the next phase.