Governance in exile: Examining the National Unity Government’s digital services efforts in Myanmar analyzes the challenges in implementing digital services initiated by the National Unity Government (NUG). The study untangles the complicated relationship between technological systems and the socio-political context in which they operate. The focus is on the digital initiatives undertaken by three NUG ministries – the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Investment, and the Ministry of Education – which are currently at the forefront of providing public services in the digital space.
By Kyaw Lwin and Myat Su Thwe
MYANMAR DIGITAL RESEARCH 15
Summary
This research comprehensively analyzes the challenges in implementing digital services initiated by the National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar’s government-in-exile formed in opposition to the 2021 military coup. Employing a sociotechnical framework, the study seeks to untangle the complicated relationship between technological systems and the socio-political context in which they operate. The focus is on digital initiatives undertaken by the NUG, dissecting the multifaceted challenges obstructing their effective deployment. This research aims to provide a holistic understanding of NUG’s obstacles to pursuing effective digital services by recognizing the interplay between technology, social dynamics, and political nuances.
The NUG commitment to providing digital services to the public enhances the current democratic movement and strengthens the role of NUG’s governance capacity. As a parallel or people’s government, the NUG’s provision of digital public services is a defining feature that sets the Spring Revolution apart from earlier democratic movements in Myanmar’s history. Hence, this study aims to produce a detailed and comprehensive research report on NUG’s initiated digital services while discovering the challenges and barriers hindering their effective deployment for better policy development and practices regarding digital services. Given the lack of fair and secure public services from the State Administration Council (SAC) ministries, and public reluctance to engage with SAC’s entities, this research is vital for both the local populace and the international community. The focus will be on three ministries under the NUG: the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Investment; and the Ministry of Education. The research questions aim to identify key digital services introduced by the NUG and the challenges obstructing their adoption. Methodologically, a combination of in-depth interviews, surveys, and secondary data analysis is employed, engaging key stakeholders, digital experts, and the public to garner diverse perspectives. Furthermore, the research acknowledges the importance of gender and ethnicity considerations, ensuring inclusivity in the study. The assessment of user-friendliness challenges and providing digital services in ethnic languages form integral components. This study will offer valuable insights for both academic and practical purposes into Myanmar’s digital services in the current situation.
Keywords: governance, politics, sociopolitics, technology, digital services, public services, public administration, Myanmar
This Myanmar Digital Research paper was produced for the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative, with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with support from The SecDev Foundation. Views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of either organization.
Over the next two years, over twenty papers in the Myanmar Digital Research series will have researchers within and in the Myanmar diaspora exploring how the digital world is shaping their social, political and economic crisis, bringing new insights into issues facing Myanmar citizens. See below for others available now.