Medium Term Expenditure Framework > IT systems applied to PFM?

Social Media as a tool for good governance and transparency in PFM

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halle:
With the advent and popularity of social media in recent years, should PFM systems now incorporate it into their offerings as an extension of the PFM ecosystem?

Social media (twitter, blogs, etc) is used for 'everything' nowadays.  Citizens, especially from the 'younger' generation, are using it to participate and engage more - with friends, within their community, with common interest groups, and with businesses.  They now have a voice.  Like in voice and accountability.


Should this interaction revolution be reflected somehow into PFM systems?  Some possible examples:

1)  Procurement.  Opportunities are broadcast not only to formal channels like dgMarkets or a country's official portal but also to twitter/facebook/etc.
2)  Budgets.  Make the budget process more interactive; departments with large external and impacted stakeholder groups can 'comment' with the department's social media tool; departments can discuss informally program components or illicit feedback from constituent communities
3)  Internal communication.  Large or dispersed government MDAs can communicate more informally or more effectively en masse on frequently updated topics

One major advantage of social media is the immediacy.  Discussion threads (such as the PFM board!) allow individuals to contribute directly as well as get information more quickly.  It allows others to "crowd in" and help others (for example, if a user has a problem or question, asking a question on social media allow others to respond back to the person rather than the user going through a formal help desk/ticket/response process).

John Short:
The problem with these so called social media tools - (or anti-social media tools in many cases) is that they can be dangerous in the hands of those who don't engage their brains before their digits as many footballers/cricketers and other "social" commentators have found out to their cost.  Government is a serious business and time consuming - sure let's elicit comment, but not swamp the "ecosystem" with inane outpourings.  There may be a place and time for everything!  Many agencies do use these tools- DFID http://www.dfid.gov.uk/ for example -  so it would be good to get a reaction from someone in DFID who is a member of this Board.  But then I am a Luddite with respect to these things!  Caveat emptor!

Napodano:
Social media should start with innovative communication.

Have a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qd_VTT1cSU&feature=player_embedded  (it is called info-graphic).

John Short:
Hardly Social Media, but a good plug for a well presented video!

Napodano:
Public Finance in the Media: What Makes a Good Budget Story?
webinar on 9 April 2015 10:00 – 11:00 (EST) by the International Budget Partnership

More info and resources available at http://internationalbudget.org/what-we-do/training/webinar-series/public-finance-in-the-media-what-makes-a-good-budget-story/#sthash.83zSHnza.dpuf

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