MODERN TECHNOLOGIES AND THE DEMOCRACY PROCESSES
Chapter 4
4.6. Conclusion
Despite of hardships of the transitional period, Azerbaijan is continuing to move towards democratic and economic reforms. Objective and subjective reasons, which prevent a more dynamical process, are the result of both the complex geopolitical situation in the region and the inertia of the administrative bureaucratic system. The existence of the unresolved conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, which is part of Azerbaijan's territory and is currently under occupation, as well as existence of an enormous number of refugees and IDPs are factors preventing accelerated reform, based on the use of modern ICTs. Despite all this, the country has achieved notable success in using modern technologies for further expansion of access to information, expansion of public participation and development of democracy on the whole.
Progressive measures in this field should take into consideration the following:
- Expansion of ICTs promotes public awareness. This is more and more evident in Web sites operated by mass media, and in the growing use of the Internet;
- Expansion of ICTs promotes public participation in decision-making and the implementation of reforms. This is promoted by the creation of Websites by Ministries and other governmental institutions, and the availability of interactive contacts with both government bodies and mass media. Promotion of public participation also contributes to the development of NGOs and CBOs and their being equipped with modern ICTs;
- Using modern ICTs in the process of education and selection of students is an important condition in the formation of human capital. Foreign oil companies operating in Azerbaijan have also contributed to this process;
- A State Program for ICTs has been adopted, which will serve as one of the most important tools of human development and creation of human gold.
However, there are considerable problems related to using ICTs for further progress of public awareness and democracy. These include:
- General shortages in the provision of modern ICT and insufficient preparation for using them;
- Existence of large differences in provision and preparedness for the use of ICTs and the development of a knowledge based community depending on age or region;
- Not all State agencies have Websites. Most are not kept up to date.
- The solution to these tasks is a prerequisite for fostering further human development in the country and the formation of human gold. The following steps to prepare citizens, enterprises and public for using ICTs seem to be essential:
- Improvement of a National Statistics Indicators System by the State Statistics Committee to ensure the possibility of monitoring the country's readiness for using ICTs and in making international comparisons.
- Further work to actualize information provided by Web sites of public agencies (Ministries, Committees and other similar bodies) is required, as in many cases the information they provide is outdated and cannot be considered realistic. Simultaneously expansion of Websites is required to enable State bodies to cover all public structures, along with provision of interactivity with Web visitors.
- Stronger efforts are requested of the Ministry of Communications to decrease of tariffs for Internet access, thus making Internet available for a wider circle of users, and NGOs, in particular.
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