Buntwani 2015 heads to South Africa to ask how technology is changing governance practices

This week nearly 100 delegates from across the globe meet in Johannesburg for Buntwani 2015. This event provides a platform for reflection, analysis and candid dialogue on the impact of technology-supported initiatives aimed at empowering citizens to voice their concerns and demands, as well as improve governments’ responsiveness and accountability.  

The theme of Buntwani 2015 is, “The Next Step in Innovation for Good Governance: Moving the dialogue forward from potential to impact”.  

South Africa is the ideal venue to host this discussion. As incoming Chair of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and host to both a thriving technology sector and outspoken civil society, it has the potential to shape good governance in Africa, a continent which still faces huge challenges of inequality, corruption and poor public services.

‘’We have an opportunity right now to use technology to achieve better governance. However, we have to better understand how and where technology can actually make a difference, or we risk seeing repetitive pilot schemes, wasting both time and money”, states David Barnard, Vice-President: Africa at TechSoup Global.  

TechSoup Global, the Open Institute and Making All Voices Count are hosting Buntwani from 25-26 August 2015, and will begin to publish discussions and recommendations next week. Already, online discussions through #BuntwaniChat are highlighting critical issues that have implications for governance practices far beyond just South Africa.  

‘’Well designed tech4good governance encourages & supports citizen participation in policymaking and fosters inclusive societies’’, Anne Musyoki, @Manka2    

‘’Despite the rhetoric, the sector has done an awful job of identifying what works and genuinely getting behind it’’, Ken Banks, @kiwanja

‘’It’s ok to look to tech once you know what the job to be done is – it’s not ok to start with the tech before you really know’’, Indra de Lanerolle, @Indradl  

Enquiries:  

David BarnardVice-President: Africa

TechSoup GlobalTel: +27 82 870 8968E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.www.techsoupglobal.org / www.buntwani.org