E-Democracy:Engaging times for all.
Panel Speech - Community of Democracies 8th Ministerial Conference
Steven Clift – @democracyKHub.net & E-Democracy.org
Slides: e-democracy.org/learn
Breaking the ice …
“I believe in people”
I also believe in cats … see second video for context.
1994 – I woke up hearing my name on the radio …
World’s 1st election information website
E-debate, citizen forum online
20 Years, 6 Lessons
1. About People
Social Media – Private Life First
… about “Public
Life” second
Relevance,necessity
key
2. Local Matters
Problem
• Online public engagement disconnected from place
• Representative democracy and participatory democracy based on place – geography matters!
Solution:
Digital town square via local online groups
With democratic intent
E-Democracy.org’s Neighborhoods today – up to 30% of households – more
Lessons apply to Facebook Groups et al today.
3. Groups
Online groups and place
• Freedom of assembly online –
Place + online groups = powerful impact in real democracy, in real community
• “The most democratizing aspect of the Internet is the ability of people to organize and communicate in groups.”
Steven Clift in “Democracy is Online” article published by Internet Society, 1998
City Hall
In-personConversations
Shared onFacebook
YourNetworks
Local Media
You
School, Library
Reporte
r
Com
mun
ity
Org
City
Councillor
Candidate
Local Biz
Nei
ghbo
r #1
Park Staff
Neighborhood
Leader
Mayor
Forum
Manager
Neighb
or #
500
Polic
e
LocalOnline Groups
Join Group
New Resident
Online public space in “real” community
4. Agenda-Setting
Sharing power –
People to people
Social media today: FB News Feeds, Hashtags
Why do local online spaces strengthen representative democracy? Elected officials:
•“They are my voters.”
5. Engage Inclusively
Raising New Voices?
US-widenumbersshowdivide
Source: PewInternet
E-Democracy’s New Voices Slides
Video
More
Just Ask? Yes.
Facebook-Native Local Politicians● Minneapolis Councillors asking questions,
directly engaging, case study
6. Glocal Knowledge
How do we connect “what works” across communities?
Digital connecting with dem. intent
• Local online spaces everywhere across multiple platforms
– Need improved discovery, connecting leaders, joint promotion
• Connect people/govs/civsoc by topics/projects globally ACROSS local communities – bring “what works” home- Beyond, but building on the Twitter hashtag
Work socially, work smarter - KHub.net
Example groups and themes
Social care Health care Environment Flood defense
Voluntary services Transport Police & Fire Education
Housing Benefits Foster care Community services
Digital projects Technology National policy Regional initiatives
Connect with over 1,500 groups working to improve public services
OpenGov Facebook Group
Join 4,000 members from 100+ nations
Sharing daily
Conclusion
Let’s be the
Engagement Generation.
Let’s build it local everywhere. Together.
Thanks!StevenClift.com
Slides: e-democracy.org/learnKHub.net
1RadioNews.com
+1-612-234-7072 - M
Slides I took out for length
For dozens more recent slides, see my June 2015 slide collection used
in Taiwan and the Philippines
Extra Slides
Global media attention
A new Athens of democracy??!
Media over-hype.
Who We Are
E-Democracy.org's mission:
Harness the power of online tools to support participation in public life, strengthen communities, and build democracy.
Creating online spaces for civic engagement since 1994.
Today’s work, Ask me about …
• KHub.Net – Knowledge Hub online groups for government and NGOs globally
• E-Democracy.org – Leader… mySociety/Poplus.org outreach
• 1RadioNews.com – Android app small start-up company
You are in the center
“networked individualism”
You
Friends
Family
Communities
Prof. Peers
Public
“Entities”
My Neighborhood
Standish and Ericsson Neighborhood, Minneapolis
About 10,000 residents - Small homes, big hearts
Shared online “Neighbors Forum” for 7 years
1400 members, ~30% households
Survey shows +7% in freq. civic activities online in Edem hoods, more
“All politics is local.” – Tip O’Neill, former US House Speaker
Knowledge Hub – KHub.net
Digital collaboration space for public and non-profit sectors
Where public service professionals connect, exchange knowledge, experiences to improve public services
100,000+ registered professionals across 450 public sector organisations and 11 countries – started in United Kingdom
#blacklivesmatter #hashtag fueled urgent news and protest info sharing
Good Fight podcast
X. Info/Data Notice
Open Government Partnership
Open Gov Data“demand” from technical public, government has supply
With, not for
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