Transforming Citizen Engagement In E- Governance Framework: A Conceptual Analysis

This article explores the transformative journey of citizen participation in public affairs, focusing on the evolution from traditional public administration to contemporary e-governance frameworks. It highlights the shift towards New Public Governance (NPG), where citizens are seen as active partners rather than passive recipients of services. The study reviews various public administration models, including classic public administration, New Public Management (NPM), and modern e-governance and open government models, identifying four waves of government evolution. It emphasizes the role of digitalization in enhancing citizen engagement, drawing on international practices from countries like Japan, Norway, the UK, and others. The article categorizes citizen engagement into four stages, from passive consumers to smart citizens in the digital era, and discusses the demand and supply aspects of participation. It underscores the importance of digital infrastructure, ICT education, and international best practices in fostering effective citizen engagement. The study concludes with recommendations for future research on policy labs, e-participation, and local participation indexes, aiming to enhance citizen involvement in governance and public service delivery.