Project Title

Using Digital Technology to Augment the Incorporation of Multi-Stakeholder Insights and Engagement in Policy Design: A Public-Private Capacity Building Workshop and Toolkit 

Project Year

2024   

Project Number

CN_EC_105_2024 

Project Session

Session 1   

Project Type

Standard 

Project Status

Project in Implementation   
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Project No.

EC_106_2024A 

Project Title

Using Digital Technology to Augment the Incorporation of Multi-Stakeholder Insights and Engagement in Policy Design: A Public-Private Capacity Building Workshop and Toolkit 

Project Status

Project in Implementation 

Publication (if any)

 

Fund Account

APEC Support Fund 

Sub-fund

ASF: Enhanced APEC Agenda on Structural Reform (EAASR) 

Project Year

2024 

Project Session

Session 1 

APEC Funding

97,903 

Co-funding Amount

155,000 

Total Project Value

252,903 

Sponsoring Forum

Economic Committee (EC) 

Topics

Legal Infrastructure; Structural Reform; Digital Economy; Anti-Corruption 

Committee

Economic Committee (EC) 

Other Fora Involved

 

Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved

 

Proposing Economy(ies)

United States 

Co-Sponsoring Economies

Chile; New Zealand; Peru; Chinese Taipei 

Expected Start Date

01/07/2024 

Expected Completion Date

01/07/2025 

Project Proponent Name 1

Lianne Canarick 

Job Title 1

APEC Policy Officer 

Organization 1

US Department of State 

Postal Address 1

Not Applicable 

Telephone 1

+1 202-770-7231 

Fax 1

Not Applicable 

Email 1

[email protected] 

Project Proponent Name 2

Olivia Hernandez 

Job Title 2

Associate Director 

Organization 2

Access Partnership 

Postal Address 2

Not Applicable 

Telephone 2

+1 202-503-1570 

Fax 2

Not Applicable 

Email 2

[email protected] 

Declaration

Lianne Canarick 

Project Summary

Effective structural reform policymaking requires an understanding of citizens’ lived experiences. This understanding has relied on traditional methods, such as government-organized stakeholder consultations. Emerging digital tools powered by artificial intelligence (AI) can complement these methods to understand stakeholders in exponentially deeper and richer ways. These tools are often used by the private sector and civil society for their own multi-stakeholder consultations. As such, governments can expect these sectors to share their findings to augment policy development. 

A capacity-building workshop will be held during SOM3 2024 to demonstrate how: emerging technology can and is being used by the private sector and civil society to garner the real-lived experiences from their stakeholders; these insights complement traditional government-organized stakeholder consultations; and higher representational capacity through such partnerships and technologies builds trust in government institutions. The workshop aligns with the Enhanced APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (EAASR) goal of harnessing innovation and skills development.

Relevance

Benefits to Region

The project seeks to address the information gap policymakers' have in understanding citizens' lived experiences when developing public policies. The project aims to establish a capacity-building workshop, hosted by the EC, with input from the ACTWG and DESG, focusing on bridging this gap by leveraging digital tools, public-private partnerships, and multi-stakeholder engagement. This capacity-building workshop will support the Enhanced APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (EAASR) goals, in particular, “adopting a holistic approach to structural reform which combines core reforms, specific market reforms and broader policies to boost productivity and economic resilience.” Utilization of emerging digital tools like AI can also be used to help inform policymakers of the lived experiences of stakeholders for policy development. This information is valuable for policymakers and can provide comprehensive, inclusive, and structural reform to policymaking. Furthermore, introducing technology not only enables a higher representational capacity of stakeholders when developing policy, it also can improve the integrity of the policymaking process, enhancing trust in government.

Achieving EAASR’s goal of “adopting a holistic approach to structural reform” requires governments to collaborate with private sector and civil society. By leveraging their expertise, networks, and resources, governments can more fully capture insights into the lived experiences of their partner stakeholders (customers, employees, suppliers, etc…). This partnership improves inclusion into the policymaking process, a pillar of the EC: “Ensuring that all groups in society have equal access to opportunities for more inclusive, sustainable growth, and greater well-being.”

Finally, this project will benefit all APEC economies that seek to support those with untapped economic potential in the rulemaking process as governments can now use the real-lived experiences of stakeholders for policymaking which have been captured by the private sector’s emerging technology.

By taking steps to include the information gained from these groups, the project addresses the EC’s goal of inclusive growth and resilience.

Eligibility and Fund Priorities

The project supports the EAASR’s sub-fund eligibility criteria of “identifying developmental needs and building the capacity of individuals and institutions charged with the responsibility of undertaking structural reforms.” Further, this project will allow participants to “[acquire] a particular set of technical skills, [obtain] new knowledge, or [gain] experience through hands-on work.” The project will also benefit APEC developing economies members.

In addition, this project directly relates to the United States EAASR Individual Action Plan (IAP). Specifically, it relates to the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) and gender equity and racial equity initiatives. The PMA “outlines the United States’ Roadmap for ensuring an equitable, effective, and accountable Federal Government that delivers results for all.” This project will also help strengthen trust in the Federal Government, improve the way the government does business, and ensure better


service and customer experience, in line with the U.S. IAP. The IAP also discusses the need to “advanc[e] equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality,” including through a rethinking of public sector governance and a furtherance of economic inclusion priorities by including new and diverse voices in the policymaking process.

Capacity Building

The project will build long-term resilience of APEC member economies by enhancing APEC economies' capacity to leverage the private sector’s use of emerging technologies to access and incorporate citizens’ lived experiences into the policymaking process. Participants will learn about methodologies and tools for policy design, which they can then apply in their respective economies. Appendix K of the Guidebook outlines APEC’s objective “to build APEC member economies’ capacity in the areas relevant to achieve the above long-term goals”. This project aims to do that through its workshop focusing on how governments can leverage the private sector’s use of emerging technology to assist them with the policymaking process.

Furthermore, this project will also foster public-private partnership, enabling participants to learn from each other and build networks that can facilitate future cooperation.



Objectives

The project's objective is to address the information gap policymakers have in understanding citizens' lived experiences when developing public policies. The project will facilitate a capacity-building workshop demonstrating how the private sector is using emerging technology to garner lived experiences from their stakeholders, and how this information can complement traditional government-organized stakeholder consultations. The workshop promotes the EC’s four foundational pillars: 1) creating an environment for open, transparent, and competitive markets; 2) boosting business recovery and resilience; 3) ensuring equal access to opportunities for inclusive, sustainable growth; and 4) harnessing innovation, new technology, and skills development to boost productivity and digitalization.

Alignment

APEC

This project aligns with the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 to “empower all our people and businesses to participate and grow in an interconnected global economy… [by] enabling [an] environment that is… supported by digital economy and innovation… [through]… structural reforms and sound economic policies… [that] narrow the digital divide… [and build] trust in digital transactions.” The project seeks to address the information gap policymakers’ have in understanding citizens’ lived experiences, such as those related to transitioning from the informal to formal economy, which supports a key APEC 2024 host year priority.

Furthermore, this project directly supports the EAASR’s approach to structural reform, particularly, in “adopting a holistic approach to structural reform which combines core reforms, specific market reforms and broader policies to boost productivity and economic resilience,” and the EAASR’s fourth pillar of “harnessing innovation, new technology, and skills development to boost productivity and digitalization.” The project will do this by providing an opportunity for APEC economies to learn how to leverage the private sector’s use of emerging technologies to complement traditional government-organized stakeholder consultations in policymaking.

Lastly, this project also aligns with the 2023 APEC Leaders’ Golden Gate Declaration which states: “We also commit to bridging the digital divide… by 2030, taking into account different domestic circumstances. We will… ensure that no one is left behind by equipping all people with the necessary skills needed to thrive in the digital economy. We will accelerate digital transformation and cooperate on… strengthening business and consumer trust in digital transactions, including through cooperation on regulatory approaches regarding the internet and digital economy.”

Forum

This project aligns with the EC’s strategic plan to foster an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community. The project's focus on leveraging the private sector’s use of emerging technologies to access and incorporate citizens’ lived experiences into the policymaking process, directly supports the EC's four pillars: 1) creating an enabling environment for open, transparent, and competitive markets; 2) boosting business recovery and resilience against future shocks; 3) ensuring that all groups in society have equal access to opportunities for more inclusive, sustainable growth, and greater well-being; and 4) harnessing innovation, new technology, and skills development to boost productivity and digitalization.

The project also aligns with the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group's (ACTWG) call to “promote programs and initiatives to increase the participation of the private sector and civil society in the development of anti-corruption policies and/or measures… [and] enhance the support by governments of efforts for greater integrity within the private sector.” This project will achieve this by including a focus on how these emerging technologies can help eliminate corruption in the policymaking process. Furthermore, introducing technology can improve the integrity of policymaking, enhancing trust in government.

Finally, this project aligns with the Digital Economy Steering Group's (DESG) focus on harnessing innovation and new technology, as well as “(6) promoting innovation and adoption of enabling technologies and services” through leveraging emerging technologies to complement the traditional methods of policymaking, such as government-organized stakeholder consultations. By facilitating public-private collaboration, the project will help these forums achieve their strategic objectives and contribute to the overall APEC goal of promoting economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.



TILF/ASF Justification

Not Applicable.

Beneficiaries and Outputs

Outputs

1) In-Person Workshop

Host an in-person workshop on the margins the Economic Committee during the 2024 3rd Senior Officials Meeting in Lima, Peru. A draft agenda can be seen below. This agenda is subject to change based on availability and interest of speakers.

A pre-workshop survey and post-workshop survey will be shared with workshop participants to measure the percentage of knowledge gained.

ACTIVITIES

08:30-09:00 - Registration

Register with Ms. Olivia Burzynska-Hernandez (Co-Project Overseer), United States 

09:00-09:15 - Welcome & Setting the Scene

An overview of workshop agenda, objectives, and expectations Led by: Ms. Lianne Canarick (Co-Project Overseer), United States

09:15-09:45 - Government Perspectives on using digital technology for policy consultation

Economy 1

Economy 2

Economy 3 

09:45-10:15 - Case Study: OECD Guidelines for Citizen Participation Processes

Led by: Alessandro Bellantoni, Head of the Open Government and Civic Space Unit, OECD or Claudia Chwalisz, Innovative Citizen Participation Lead, OECD 

10:15-10:45 - Case Study: Voz de las PYMES

A case study of understanding the lived experience, needs, and challenges of small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Mexico by leveraging digital tools. 

Led by: Private Sector 10:45-11:00 - Break

11:00-11:30 - Introduction to Policy Toolkit

Led by: Ms. Lianne Canarick (Co-Project Overseer), United States 

11:30-12:30 - Breakout Groups: Toolkit Methodologies, Case Studies, Tools

Participants will be divided into breakout groups. The breakout groups will allow participants to provide immediate feedback on the draft Policy Toolkit and identify additional methodologies, case studies, and tools to be included in the document. 

The breakout sessions will be led by facilitators to help guide the discussion. 

12:30 – 13:30 - Lunch 

13:30 – 15:00 - Breakout Groups Continued

Breakout group discussions will continue. One representative per breakout group should be prepared to serve as the spokesperson during the plenary session. 

15:00 – 15:45 - Plenary Session: Readout of Breakout Group Discussions Led by: Alex Hunt, United States 

15:45 – 16:15 - Next Steps: Contributing to the Policy Toolkit Led by: Ms. Lianne Canarick (Co-Project Overseer), United States 

16:15 – 17:00 - Conclusion: Workshop Lessons Learned and Feedback

In this concluding session, participants will share what they learned during the workshop, what they still have questions on, what they would like to see in the future, and any lessons learned.

Led by: Ms. Lianne Canarick (Co-Project Overseer), United States

2) Policy Toolkit
This policy toolkit will be a minimum 12-page APEC publication and include 3 case studies from three economies, key recommendations as a result of the in-person workshop, methodologies, and technology solutions for multistakeholder consultation/engagement.

Outcomes
1)  Better Knowledge of Best Practices - The Workshop (and the subsequent completed Policy Toolkit) will serve as a capacity building effort and resource to support APEC economies' implementation of multisectoral consultation and inclusive engagement by using digital tools. Subsequent EC meetings can use the Policy Toolkit as a resource for future projects and as a key outcome for the EAASR.

2)  % of participants report substantial knowledge increase - The Post-Workshop Survey will support the PO's understanding of how many Workshop participants gained new knowledge and are likely to recommend a similar future workshop or share the Policy Toolkit with colleagues.

Beneficiaries

Primary beneficiaries. The primary beneficiaries of this project will be structural reform, anti-corruption and digital economy, and regulatory consultation officials, within offices of budget and management (or similar offices), particularly within ministries of state/foreign affairs, digital ministries, and regulatory agencies. These beneficiaries will be targeted based on their policymaking roles on issues relevant to the digital economy, anti-corruption, and structural reform, as well as their involvement in initiatives that address these issues within their respective economies. These will include mid-to senior-level policymakers tasked with building and leveraging existing relationships with stakeholders. It will also involve industry and industry associations who support policymakers in their everyday work and have an interest in inclusive pathways for stakeholders to have their lived experiences reflected in policymaking.

Secondary beneficiaries. The project will benefit all individuals and groups impacted by policies designed as a result of this project, including women and others with untapped economic potential in the digital economy, such as Indigenous Peoples as appropriate, persons with disabilities, and those from remote and rural communities. 

Digital tools can help level the playing field, so those that have been left out of traditional consultations and feedback mechanisms can have their lived experiences and voices heard and incorporated into policies more responsive to their needs.

Beneficiaries will be engaged through a variety of methods, including the interactive workshop and consultations when designing the Toolkit. The project will also provide opportunities for networking and cross-sector collaboration, enabling beneficiaries to learn from each other and build relationships that can facilitate future cooperation. The project organizers anticipate making the workshop open to representatives from the EC, ACTWG, and DESG working groups. A Toolkit will be uploaded onto the APEC website for access by all members of the public, broadening its reach further.

Dissemination

The Policy Toolkit will be turned into an APEC electronic publication and be disseminated to all Economic Committee Members, DESG Members, other relevant APEC subfora (i.e., ACTWG). The Toolkit will also be accessible on the APEC website for broader use for all APEC economies and stakeholders, including government officials who are responsible for structural reform, anti-corruption policies, and digital economy issues.

Gender

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Work Plan

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Risks

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Linkages

This project encourages cross-fora collaboration, particularly with the ACTWG and DESG through consultations on workshop development and the Toolkit. This project will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences and encourage participants to work together to design policies by leveraging the private sector’s use of emerging technologies and promoting public-private partnerships. The project will also foster ongoing collaboration by establishing networks and mechanisms for continued cooperation beyond the duration of the project.

As noted above, this project is in direct alignment with the ACTWG’s mandate to “priority[ze] of sustainable economic growth, good governance, market integrity and enhanced trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.” Furthermore, this project supports the DESG’s goal of harnessing innovation and new technology, as well as “(10) enhancing inclusiveness of internet and digital economy.” By facilitating cross- fora collaboration, the project will help these forums achieve their strategic objectives and contribute to the overall APEC goal of promoting economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Additionally, this project will build on (but not duplicate) efforts made in the EC such as the EAASR approaches to promoting structural reform for inclusive growth. The workshop will incorporate the EAASR’s findings and best practices into the capacity- building workshop where the focus is specifically on leveraging the private sector’s use of emerging digital tools to complement traditional government-organized stakeholder consultations during policy development.

Sustainability

This project directly supports the Enhanced APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (EAASR) goal of harnessing innovation and skills development. Workshop participants, and Economic Committee members will have access to the Toolkit that will be produced as an output of this project.

The Policy Toolkit will be shared in various APEC meetings in relation to Digital Technology Use and Engagement in Policy Design in 2025.

Project Overseers

Lianne Canarick currently works as an APEC Policy Officer for the US Department of State within the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs’ Office of Economic Policy. In this role, Lianne supports and advances US economic policy across the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region. She is specifically responsible for covering trade, investment and digital policy issues.

Cost Efficiency

Not Applicable.

Drawdown Timetable

Not Applicable.

Direct Labour

Not Applicable.

Waivers

Not Applicable.

Are there any supporting document attached?

Yes 
Attachments
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Version HistoryVersion History

Project No.

Project Title

Project Status

Publication (if any)

Fund Account

Sub-fund

Project Year

Project Session

APEC Funding

Co-funding Amount

Total Project Value

Sponsoring Forum

Topics

Committee

Other Fora Involved

Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved

Proposing Economy(ies)

Co-Sponsoring Economies

Expected Start Date

Expected Completion Date

Project Proponent Name 1

Job Title 1

Organization 1

Postal Address 1

Telephone 1

Fax 1

Email 1

Project Proponent Name 2

Job Title 2

Organization 2

Postal Address 2

Telephone 2

Fax 2

Email 2

Declaration

Project Summary

Relevance

Objectives

Alignment

TILF/ASF Justification

Beneficiaries and Outputs

Dissemination

Gender

Work Plan

Risks

Monitoring and Evaluation

Linkages

Sustainability

Project Overseers

Cost Efficiency

Drawdown Timetable

Direct Labour

Waivers

Are there any supporting document attached?

hdFldAdmin

Project Number

Previous Fora

Secretariat Comments

Reprogramming Notes

Consolidated QAF

Endorsement By Fora

PD Sign Off

Batch

Forum Priority

Committee Ranking Category

Committee Priority

PDM Priority

Priority Within Funding Category

Monitoring Report Received

Completion Report Received

PMU Field 1

PMU Field 2

PMU Field 3

On Behalf Of

Proposal Status

Originating Sub-Forum

Approval Status
Attachments
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