PEP-NET & Us: A Practitioner’s View

Here we summarise some results of the brainstorming session held during the Kick-Off meeting among representatives of NGOs and Public Administrations.

The mixed nature of participants in the consortium was seen as a big value for the exchange of experiences, viewpoints and collaboration opportunities.

A strong expectation from participant municipalities was to become more effective in dissemination and awareness raising on eParticipation related issues at national level. Being able to show up a “critical mass” of European eParticipation initiatives may be very beneficial in that respect.

A requirement was expressed to increase the external links of PEP-NET with similar communities outside the EU (if they exist).

“eParticipation still happens by accident at our times” (e.g. because certain people are in charge at the “right” moment of time) while it should be the result of a purposeful and deliberate process of improvement within Public Administration(s). A related reason for that may be the lack of training in public officials and politicians, who are scared of the undesired consequences of Participation and eParticipation. This is as important as training of citizens and communities who have to enter into a deliberative process.

“eGovernment itself must assume a new meaning – the one of eParticipation”. Currently it is more eAdministration than anything else. The new opportunity coming from ICTs is to let more people (than a few sitting in a same physical room) to have their say, maybe also to complain with public authorities – though this is not the goal of eParticipation in itself.

Participation must emerge as a tool for policy making. More (or less) participation will reinforce (or weaken) eParticipation. It’s a circle, either virtuous or vicious!

Tags: PEP-NET kick-off