the role of ict in active citizenship: contemporary aspects
TRANSCRIPT
Multi-stakeholder conference organized by Telecentre Europe
Enabling Civil e-Participation in Europe
8th December 2015, European Parliament, Brussels
The role of ICT in active citizenship:
contemporary aspects
Simon Delakorda, M.Sc.
www.inepa.si/english
CONTENT
1. ICTs and political democracy
2. ICTs and active citizenship
3. Technological determinism vs. social constructivism
4. Spatial and communicative diversity (4 cases)
5. The role of NGOs in e-participation
6. Recommendations for e-participation: toward realistic optimism
1. ICTs and political democracy
cyber-utopists: ICTs spreads participatory democracy, but it also forges a new era of Athenian democracy
cyber-pessimists: ICTs fails to support the democratisation process and it possess characteristics that lead to regression
cyber-realists: ICTs have no negative impact on participation but also do not strengthen democracy
Source: Soriano, 2013
2. ICTs and active citizenship
top down enabled (institutionalised) e-participation
- public authorities, bodies and organisations
- sustainable (funding)
- distrust and low participation
bottom-up driven (non-institutionalised) e-participation:
- NGOs and citizens groups
- protest participation (higher involvement)
- not sustainable
mixed approaches:
- stakeholders partnerships
- off-line and on-line participation
Source: Delakorda, 2013
3. Technological determinism vs. social constructivism
Interactivity approach: ICTs enable political action, social aspects affects what activities are performed (Hoff & Storgaard (2005).
4. Spatial and communicative diversity
5. The role of NGOs in e-participation
NGOs as promoters and advocates
- rising awareness about opportunities and issues;
- explaining complex issues;
- advocating public interest.
NGOs as partners in e-tools development (e.g Smartcities)
- community building;
- awareness rising;
- adopters of e-tool (ownership).
Issues
- timely involvement in the process
- requires interdisciplinary know-how and plenty of resources
6. Recommendations for e-participation: towards realistic optimism
alignment to relevant public opinion and policy-making topics
policy content presentation and production
decision-makers involvement (feedback and impact)
multichannel on-line / off-line dissemination and target groups involvement
user-centric attitude
involving NGOs as partners and end users
sustainability (process management / facilitation and funding)
Source: Puzzled by Policy project www.puzzledbypolicy.eu
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