Projects and Events

A Strategy for the National Digital Forum – Discussion Document

Prepared on behalf of the NDF Steering Committee

The strategic plan discussion document (397KB) and an executive summary (176KB) are available as PDF documents. You will need Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded free from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

A precis of the Executive Summary is included below.

Executive Summary

Purpose

This document:

·           Provides a summary of the outcomes of the 2002 National Digital Forum (NDF) hosted by the National Library of New Zealand (NLNZ) in May 2002.

·           Presents a draft strategic plan for the NDF.

·           Examines a number of options or models for the ongoing governance of the NDF within the framework of the draft strategic plan.

The Draft Strategic Plan

The draft strategic plan, prepared by a working group established by the NDF Steering Committee, proposes a vision, purpose, and objectives for the NDF. It also proposes actions or activities that would be required to achieve the strategic objectives. The Steering Committee endorsed in principal the vision, purpose, and objectives at its July 2003 meeting.

Role of the National Digital Forum

The working group identified governance as the key issue arising from the draft strategic plan. In order to progress the issue of the ongoing governance arrangements for the NDF, consensus is required in relation to the role of the Forum, and the means by which it will achieve the vision, purpose and objectives proposed in the draft strategic plan.

The range of possible roles for the NDF include:

1.    An information-sharing network.

2.    A recognised clearing-house.

3.    A body that obtains funding and resources, leads digitisation projects; and establishes and promulgates standards, policies, and procedures for digitisation.

Key Questions for the National Digital Forum

In considering the role of the NDF, the following key questions arise:

1.    What are the funding options to sustain the NDF?

2.    What is the role of the Māori Digital Forum within the context of the NDF?

3.    What would be the consequences of the dissolution of the NDF?

Options for the Governance of the National Digital Forum

Options for the ongoing governance arrangements for the NDF include:

1.    Status quo (including the NDF and the Māori Digital Forum)

2.     Memorandum of Understanding / Heads of Agreement between major organisations involved in digitisation

3.    A national digitisation office

4.         An incorporated society

5.         Other?

Next Steps

The principal outcomes sought from the sessions, on 29/30 September 2003, on a strategy and way forward for the National Digital Forum are to:

1.    Agree the role, and the vision, purpose, and objectives of the NDF.

2.    Agree on the key criteria or principles for the governance of the NDF.

3.    Consider options for the governance of the NDF.

3.         Identify a way forward – request that the NDF Steering Committee (including other interested parties) develop a process, time frame, and terms of reference for establishing a model for the ongoing operation of the NDF?