IICD and Atos Origin: building a public-private partnership

In a nutshell...

IICD and Atos Origin have agreed to work in partnership by:

• Collaborating on an e-governance Thematic Network.
• Sharing strategic and technical expertise.
• Expanding the learning horizons of their staff.
• Developing a yearly portfolio of joint activities

The partnership

A partnership between IICD and Atos Origin was formalised at a signing ceremony in The Hague on November 25, 2002. On an annual basis, Atos Origin and IICD will identify a number of activities on which they will collaborate throughout the year. The first year of the partnership will focus on e-governance, an area of strong mutual interest.

Private sector companies like Atos Origin play an important role in support of IICD's Country Programmes and Thematic Networks by acting as an expert resource for IICD staff and project partners in the South. Atos Origin brings to the partnership its knowledge of strategic and practical issues related to e-governance.

IICD and Atos Origin will on a yearly basis identify a portfolio of joint activities that will vary depending on needs and interests of IICD project partners and the e-governance network. As they get to know each other better, it is anticipated that a working relationship will evolve around specific strengths and areas of converging interest.

E-governance is about enabling citizens to access government services online, but it goes beyond that, to encompass the use of ICTs to foster transparency, citizen participation, and increased accountability in government. IICD is currently supporting 7 projects in this sector, and Atos Origin will be able to provide IICD's local partners implementing these projects with some sound advice based on their experience with public sector clients around the world.

Instead of focusing solely on services, the partnership agreement between Atos Origin and IICD aims to foster opportunities for mutual learning. Atos Origin consultants will develop their understanding and inter-cultural skills by working with developing countries. Given the highly competitive and globalised environment in which Atos Origin operates, this is a valuable learning opportunity. IICD and its partners will have increased access to Atos Origin's cutting-edge technical and management expertise. In addition, IICD staff will be able to access the human resource development programme that Atos Origin offers its staff, in courses ranging from ICT skills to personal effectiveness.

A strategic alliance

What are the elements of the first year's work portfolio? In 2002-2003, the Atos Origin and IICD partnership will work together in support of the IICD e-governance Thematic Network. Thematic Networks are communities of practice designed to catalyse lessons learning and knowledge sharing on specific ICT topics such as e-commerce and e-governance, specifically in support of IICD's project partners in developing countries.

Some elements of the present work portfolio are:

Cooperation on e-governance

• IICD and Atos Origin agree to share e-governance expertise in international fora targeting practitioners in developing countries.
• The partners will jointly realise an e-governance workshop or consultation for IICD project partners.
• Atos Origin consultants will be twinned with IICD project owners and will provide them with expertise.
• Atos Origin will help build a technical platform for the e-governance Thematic Network. Atos Origin may also be involved in facilitating online discussions taking place within the network.
• Atos Origin will develop research and knowledge products such as toolkits, fact sheets, guidelines, etc on e-governance, which will be shared within the network and with the wider development community.
  
• Requests for e-governance technical assistance can be referred to Atos Origin, which will offer a reduced consultancy rate to IICD and its partners.

About Atos Origin

Atos Origin is a leading business and technology integrator providing integrated design, build and operate IT solutions to a base of large global clients in carefully targeted industry sectors. It provides full business and technology integration services to its clients, through the application of Consulting, Systems Integration and Managed Operations including Outsourcing and On-Line Services. The company employs 28,000 employees in 30 countries.

More information

If you have any questions on the Atos Origin-IICD partnership or if you are interested in more information on how to partner with IICD, please contact IICD's Partnerships Manager. Be sure to visit the websites of Atos Origin, and IICD to learn more about each organisation and its activities in the field of ICTs for Development.