The Challenge of Technology
3 April 2007
Keynote Address to the 8th Annual Microsoft West Indies Government Conference, By The Hon. D. Neletha I. Butterfield, JP, MP - Minister of the Environment, Technology and E-Commerce.
Good Morning Delegates,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our beautiful Island Bermuda. As Minister for the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, I encourage you to balance your technology discussions with appreciation of our unique Bermuda Environment.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank Microsoft for organizing, and for representatives of various governments around the world for attending, this prestigious Conference in Bermuda. I also thank Microsoft for inviting the Bermuda Government to partner in this initiative. I understand that this is the first time that any Government has participated in this way. Congratulations!
Today, technology is ever changing. My topic to you this morning is "The Challenge of Technology".
The mandate of my Ministry (the Ministry of the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, or METEC for short) is to secure a balance between the protection, conservation and enhancement of Bermuda's natural environment and the sustainable development needs of the community, and to manage the demands of a tech - no - log - ical society. To Information Technology (IT) professionals, this means both natural and digital environments, from the open spaces of our beaches and national parks, through government web sites in cyberspace, to outer space - where telecommunications satellites are to be found. Because of the integration of the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, I am known now as the Minister of Open Space, Cyberspace and Outer Space!
What is the link between the physical and digital environments? The physical environment sustains our bodies; we harvest resources from the sea and the land for food and water. We breathe the good air of the atmosphere, and we enjoy visiting our parks and reefs.
The digital environment increasingly stimulates our mind. It helps us to span the distance that once isolated Bermuda from the World. Today, our children log-on to learn, spinning online globes to go on virtual field trips. We e-mail and call friends and family no matter where they are in the world. Technology enables us to gain access - for example the access to the internet now available to physically challenged persons and seniors.
Therefore, both the physical and digital environments connect in different ways with our senses, particularly what we see, hear and feel. Whether we can touch technology or not, we know that technology certainly touches our lives. I would hope that, if managed properly, both the physical and digital environments can help us to improve our quality of life.
On the technology side, the notion that technology both enables and empowers us is compelling, and few would argue that it has the ability to enrich our lives. However, we must remember that technology is not our master; rather it is a tool that helps to sustain today's modern society. That is the challenge of technology.
Here in Bermuda we are well aware of the challenge of technology. Over the last decade or so our Government has taken measures that have allowed our citizens to have better access to technology like the Internet, has prepared business for its impact, and put government information online.
Our efforts are internationally recognized. I am proud to note that the Intelligence Unit of the Economist ranks Bermuda third (3rd) overall in the world for internet policy and legislation. This is a major achievement for a tiny nation of 21 square miles, but perhaps it is because we exist in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and must, of necessity, stay connected with the rest of the world.
On the ground that means 75 per cent of Bermuda households own a PC, 71 per cent have Internet access and 68 per cent have broadband access. It is clear that our citizens have access but we believe they need encouragement to do more than just browse for information online. We encourage them to use more services available online such as banking, and payment of bills.
However, we recognize that there are often barriers to taking those first steps online. Some people may lack the confidence in using technology, they may have concerns about security and scams, or they may be nervous about sharing personal information. The unknown does worry us.
During the week of May 7 -11, which we are calling Technology Week - or TechWeek for short - we will be tackling those barriers head-on. We will be promoting a week of activities designed to showcase the everyday benefits technology can bring to our citizens and businesses. During TechWeek the whole country will be focused on technology. There will be a range of activities for a variety of ages, including opportunities to develop new skills, protecting personal information, and learning more about keeping children safe online. The whole idea is to learn more about technology in a fun and educational way - such as using the Bluetooth, inserting pictures and information for school related assignments, with a touch of music.
We are in the process of renovating our government portal - gov dot bm. It already serves a need in supplying citizens and business with information. Forty (40) per cent of the population has visited the site, but we want more of our citizens to avail themselves of the information and services it offers. To encourage them we wish to turn the site inside-out so that it meets their needs better. That means making it easier to find information, and making that information more accurate, up to date and timely. We want it to be a service that is valued by its users and one that they trust and rely on.
In today's connected world, your theme for the next couple of days, "Inter - op - er - a - bil - ity for a Connected Government" - is as important as security and re - li - a - bil - ity for information technology professionals. The challenge of technology is to ensure that people are better connected, through data and information, with diverse systems.
Connecting people describes the workflows that take place throughout Governments at a people level, connecting the data, connecting the diverse systems, respecting and valuing how the work in Government flows.
Business is not forgotten in our efforts to encourage Bermuda to embrace technology. We have done much to encourage them. The Intelligence Unit of the Economist also ranked us 8th in the World in terms of the Legal and Policy Framework that enables businesses to thrive online. That's ahead of business and technology hotspots such as Singapore and Finland. Bermuda really is World Class, thanks to a strategic view. Back in 1999 the then Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce introduced one of the first Electronic Transactions Acts anywhere in the World, and we are actively reviewing that legislation today.
Bermuda is not resting on her laurels. Our Legislature recently passed Child Protection legislation aimed at protecting children from being sexually exploited or being preyed upon for sexual purposes by way of the Internet Environment. We are also preparing Data Protection legislation.
In addition, we are reforming our regulation of the telecommunications sector. Our regulatory regime is successful and has spawned a host of telecom providers that in competition have driven down prices. Today, through regulatory reform, we are preparing the telecom industry for the future.
As users of technology, we should be well aware of the importance of ensuring the systems we build and operate are successful. Information technology is increasingly at the foundation of the many public services we deliver to citizens and business. We must strive to strengthen these relationships, fostering positive results and ensuring that the interaction with our systems is fast, efficient and user-friendly.
The Honourable Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown, JP, MP, has mentioned that Government will increase the demand for information to flow across our Ministries, not just up and down our Ministries. Here in Bermuda there is a good example of this horizontal style of working that I would like to share with you. It illustrates the theme of inter - op - er - a - bil - ity, cross-department cooperation and interdependence, and also demonstrates how technology provides an effective tool for managing Bermuda's delicately balanced environment.
Many of you will be familiar with the technology of Geographic Information Systems - G.I.S. Today the Government of Bermuda boasts a raft of GIS applications that present map-based information to civil servants, the public and business professionals. BermudaMaps.bm allows our citizens to check addresses and locations and to find out their land valuation numbers. I am proud to say that the quality of the aerial pho - tog - graphy of our island used in Bermuda Maps is better than that available on the popular Google Earth web site.
Our ‘beds' system (spelled BEHDS) allows our Environmental Health professionals to map and control the spread of pests like the mosquito that is a vector for ‘dengay' (dengue) fever. We use G.I.S. technology to plan and manage the maintenance of Government buildings and property, and to administer and adjudicate planning applications. Our Police Service benefits from an online map gazetteer that assists in crime prevention planning. G.I.S. is now being deployed in the valuation of properties for tax purposes and Government recently started a G.I.S. based Land Title Registration initiative.
All of these different G.I.S. applications share a common platform and standards. While our digital maps are owned by the Government's Survey Section, they are developed and managed by a cross-department committee. Its members are drawn from eight different departments, including three from my own Ministry - Planning, Land Valuation and E-Government. It also includes input from our local G.I.S. vendor community.
A core function of the G.I.S. Committee is to promote inter-departmental coordination, a team working together to share insight, prevent duplication, maintain common standards and maximise the leverage of our technologies.
We are a connected Government facing the challenge of technology. Technology is core to improving the citizen and business experience with Government. Our G.I.S. committee is an example of this new way of working together to integrate both our systems and services. The G.I.S. initiative represents a good example of how we here in Bermuda are rising to meet the challenge of technology.
Your deliberations over the coming days will likely cover many applications such as this, with insights from around the world. I hope that you will return to your countries challenged and better informed to make a difference in the way that technology interfaces with Government and society.
I often repeat the saying, "If you give an individual a fish, he has food for a day, but if you teach him how to fish, he has food for a lifetime."
In a technological vein, we can similarly say, "If we provide our community with the technological tools and education required to thrive in a global community, we will succeed in preparing our people for a lifetime of opportunity and success."
If your schedules permit, do take time to explore our Island and enjoy some of what Bermuda has to offer. I promise that you will not be disappointed. May you have both a pleasurable and an educational time participating in this Conference.
Thank You.
