Design and Development of a Community Engagement System for Kanyama Constituency

Abstract

As technological innovations continue to shape our world, we’ve seen remarkable progress in how information is received and distributed. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the essential human right to freedom of opinion and expression. This essential information is vital for democracy, good governance, and enabling individuals to enjoy their rights to health, education, and life. Globally, several initiatives, laws, and directives aim to improve information access. Notable examples include freedom of information laws, which empower citizens in various countries to request information from government entities; open data initiatives, where governments and organizations promote openness and foster innovation by making data publicly accessible; internet access programs, which expand internet connectivity, particularly in underserved areas to ensure broader access to information; and digital literacy programs, which educate individuals on using digital tools and effectively accessing information, crucial in today’s information-driven society. This study examines web-based systems in e-governance and presents findings from researchers on this topic. Furthermore, it discusses web accessibility, focusing on multimedia elements, consequently highlighting how websites can serve as valuable information resources, tools for assessment, and platforms for content creation and sharing. To gather data for this research, participants were interviewed at locations and times of their convenience, often in their homes. The interviews were conducted in English, though participants occasionally used their native languages, Bemba or Nyanja, which were translated during transcription. The researcher’s respectful and transparent approach, combined with social similarities, facilitated rapport-building and encouraged open sharing of experiences. Information was collected through literature reviews, qualitative interviews with open-ended questions, observations of office operations, and internet searches on related concepts. The analysis process involved translating non-English responses, transcribing interviews, and comparing findings with previous research to draw comprehensive conclusions about the system’s implications for e-governance and information access.