Keynote address by Sikyong Penpa Tsering at IDI-DM workshop
Dharamshala: The Social and Resources Development Fund (SARD) and the International City and County Management Association (ICMA) successfully hosted the Institutional Development Index – Data Management (IDI-DM) workshop on the 8th and 9th of January 2025. This event marked a significant step towards strengthening data management systems across the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The initiative is part of the multi-year program “Central Tibetan Administration – Capacity Building Sustainability Initiative (CTA-CBSI),” funded by USAID through National Democratic Institute (NDI) in collaboration with SARD and ICMA.
The workshop, led by the esteemed consultants from Civic Data Lab (CDL), brought together data handlers and program officers from all departments and autonomous bodies of the CTA. It provided an interactive platform to delve into the importance of digitization for efficient governance and to explore the potential of the IDI-DM initiative in alignment with CTA’s overarching vision for modernization and digitization.
The event was graced by the presence of the Sikyong Penpa Tsering, along with dignitaries, including Kalon Norzin Dolma of Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) and secretaries from various departments, underscoring the leadership’s commitment to the digitization efforts. During his keynote speech, Sikyong Penpa Tsering emphasized on the vision of 16th Kashag and the importance of establishing a centralized database and adopting data-driven governance practices. The workshop facilitated discussions on the role of digitization in revolutionizing governance, fostering efficiency, and aligning the IDI-DM initiative with CTA’s broader goals while defining specific departmental roles and responsibilities to ensure smooth implementation.
This initiative is deeply rooted in the Sikyong’s vision for CTA digitization, which emphasizes establishing robust databases for informed decision-making, implementing e-governance systems to minimize inefficiencies, supporting departmental functions with customized digital applications, and digitizing historical archives while leveraging AI for cultural preservation. A dedicated session during the workshop focused on enhancing the skills and capabilities of CTA’s data handlers and project officers to prepare them for the transition to a digitized framework.
The workshop represents a critical milestone in CTA’s journey toward achieving a comprehensive digital transformation. By empowering its data handlers and aligning departmental operations with advanced data management practices, the CTA is poised to set new benchmarks in governance and sustainability.
SARD extends its gratitude to all the participants, USAID, and its implementing partners NDI and ICMA for their unwavering support in making this workshop a success. Together, we move closer to a future where data-driven decision-making and e-governance form the bedrock of CTA’s administration.
Filed by Social and Resources Development Fund, SARD