Tuesday, May 28, 2013

EGovernment: The Europeans citizens demand more - The Liberal

Brussels: eGovernment progress has been made, but the Europeans seek to further improve public services, and services across borders, according to a European Commission survey.

Today nearly one in two people (46%) now use the Internet to find a job for the submission of tax declaration for registration of birth on a passport or other e-government services.

80% report that due to electronic public services save time, 76% said they like the flexibility it offers, and 62% that help them save money. However, users say more satisfied with online banking services (satisfaction 8.5 out of 10) and electronic markets (7.6), rather than electronic public services (6,5).

The “Digital Agenda for Europe” has set a target to increase the use of eGovernment services, so the number of users to reach by 2015 50% of European citizens.

The survey held in the comparative 2012 report on eGovernment involving 28,000 users from 32 countries. The main findings were as follows:

-The most popular services were the income tax return (73% of users submit their tax returns electronically), the statement of change of address (57%) and registration to institution of higher education and / or applying for student assistance (56%).

-Although 54% of respondents still prefer face-to-face or other traditional forms of service, at least 30% indicated that they could be regular users of eGovernment services if the services were better suited to their needs.

-47% of users of electronic public services managed to accomplish what they wanted, while 46% the handled only partially.

The report also shows that it is necessary to improve the web services associated with major events in the life of a citizen, such as the loss or finding a job, start a business and register studies.

For citizens residing in the home, on average, more than half of the administrative procedures for such events can be done online. For the remaining half, the sites provide relevant information. However, greater transparency and interactivity, so that people have greater autonomy.

The situation is worse but for the almost 2 million people relocating or traveling for work in other EU Member States. Although the majority of Member States provide some information about studies or start a business from abroad, the online registration is rather rare. Only 9 countries allow citizens of other EU Member States to register for studies online, while only 17 countries allow them to do certain steps to start a business online.

Commenting on the survey results, the Vice European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, said that e-government in Europe is promising. However, he said, the fact that users are more satisfied with their online banking services rather than the procurement shows how public authorities should improve the online services we offer and the design based on user needs. “We also need to redouble our efforts for more effective cross-border eGovernment services,” concluded Ms Kroes.

It should be noted that the findings of the research will discuss representatives of EU Member States and other countries ( including developing countries) at the highest level, the conference «Leading the way in e Government development» that began yesterday and ends on May 30 in Helsinki.

Source: philenews

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