Information technology and regions: Moscow 2012–2016 “Information City” state program approved

At the meeting of August 2, 2011 The Moscow City Government approved the State program of the City of Moscow "Information City" 2012-2016. The project has been publicly discussed since May. 

According to the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, the City Government is developing a convenient service for Muscovites enabling them to electronically obtain all public services. The Internet will publish the work results of basic urban services, management companies so that the citizens could control their work. The mayor also stressed, that the potential of information technology should be employed to the maximum in educational institutions. Additionally, IT, he said, will help solve the issues of security in the capital.

According to the Head of Information Technology Department of Moscow Artem Ermolaev, public discussion of the program took place both online and at meetings with citizens. The proposals for changes and additions to the program were also made by the Moscow City Duma, the Control and Audit Office, the IT community and the media. On the whole, there were about three thousand proposals. As a result, based on comments in the program have been improved in accordance with comments. The changes concerned the teaching and popularization of information technology, information security, protection of personal information in Internet.

In particular, at the suggestion of the Moscow City Duma, changes were made regarding the scope of the program so that it covers all bodies of the state power, not just the executive power, but also legislative and judicial authority, and local governments. In addition, the program includes activities that provide for regular public hearings and initiate social control.