ePart 2010 will take place 29 August to 2 September in Lausanne (CH). ePart is co-organised with EGOV 2010 conference so a chance to meet colleagues and peers in both fields.

ePart 2010 covers a whole range of research topics within area of eParticipation. The principal aim is to review research advances in both social and technological scientific domains, seeking to demonstrate new concepts, methods and styles of eParticipation.

ePart 2010 will in particular focuses on:

• The research landscape, directions and foundations
• Research methods, method integration and techniques
• Cultural and normative differences in eParticipation
• Comparative analyses of eParticipation practices
• eParticipation projects: design, implementation, evaluation, quality and impact
• Technologies for eParticipation, policy modelling, simulation and visualisation
• Online conversation and deliberation, eConsulation, ePoling, eLegislation, eElectioneering, eVoting, Social networking
• Education, training courses, and curricula

ePart 2010 papers submission – in line with the above focus areas – will be allowed in four distinct types of submissions:

• Completed research papers
• Ongoing research and innovative projects
• Workshops and panels on pertinent issues
• PhD colloquium submission.

ePart is closely aligned with EGOV 2010 – the IFIP eGovernment conference and the EGOV community. Note that this year both conferences will be located for the first time outside the DEXA cluster of conferences. ePart 2010 is sponsored by IFIP, WG8.5.

Important Dates

• Submission of papers: 3 March 2010
• Submission of workshop/panel proposals: 15 March 2010
• Submissions to PhD colloquium: 15 March 2010
• Notification of acceptance for papers: 30 March 2010
• Notification of acceptance for workshops/panels: 30 April 2010

Publication

All accepted completed research papers will be published by Springer LNCS. Ongoing research and innovation projects papers will be published by Trauner Druck. Outstanding research papers from the conference might be selected for further development and publication in a special issue of a relevant journal.

Conference chairs

• Ann Macintosh, The University of Leeds (UK)
• Efthimios Tambouris, University of Macedonia (GR)
• Olivier Glassey, IDHEAP- University of Lausanne (CH)

BY Danish Technological Institute/Morten Meyerhoff Nielsen

The debate aim to answer an array of questions relevant to democracy and surrounding the new European Citizens’ Initiative. The event will be hosted by Richard MEDI?, European Media and Communications Expert (former AER Spokesman).

The main speakers include: Sebastian KURPAS, a representative from the European Commission and Johannes W. PICHLER, Professor for European Law at the University of Graz and Director of the Austrian Institute for European Law and Politics in Salzburg (AT).

The initiative is part of the “AER Communications Atelier” under the new European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) the Steiermark Office Brussels will be hosted by the AER (Assembly of European Regions). It is also the first time the “AER Communications Atelier” gives interested parties the opportunity to follow the discussion as a live-stream and to participate actively in the discussion on https://europa.steiermark.at/stream

Danish Technological Institute/Morten Meyerhoff Nielsen

Webcast of conference sessions

The plenary sessions and three of the parallel sessions at the Ministerial eGovernment Conference will be webcast live and on demand this year from the conference website www.egov2009.se. In addition the ceremony for the 4^th European eGovernment Awards will most likely also be the subject of a webcast.

The programme is available on www.egov2009.se/programme

Twitter flies over Malmö 18-20 November

In addition to RSS feed, Twitter feed is available onthe Ministerial eGovernment Conference website www.egov2009.se. Participants are actively encourage to Twitter about the Informal Ministerial Meeting on eGovernment and the 5th Ministerial eGovernment Conference to use the hashtag #egov2009.

Online vote for European eGovernment Awards Public Prize

Following success of the first online vote in relation to the European eGovernment Awards 2007 in Lisbon (Portugal) the European Commission and the European eGovernment Awards Consortium decided early onto continue practicing what they preach.  The objective has been to: increase the visibility and status of public sector ICT projects in Europe; encourage good practice exchange, and; to encourage active involvement and participating in the European eGovernment Awards by the epractice.eu and wider stakeholder communities.

The online voting for the European eGovernment Awards Public Prize was therefore launched late this summer and closed on 11 November at 18:00 CET. Members of the epractice.eu community have been able to vote for their favorite cases from among the 52 European eGovernment Awards 2009 finalists.  The online vote is in addition to other ICT initiative by the awards consortium and the European Commission for a fully electronic submission process via www.epractice.eu and the remote evaluation of the received submissions by the jury in the first phase of the evaluation.

The voting is now closed but the 52 finalist cases remain published at ePractice.eu and are open to receive members’ comments.  The winner of the Public Prize will be announced at the awards ceremony on 19 November at 18:30 – and likely to the subject of a webcast.

Virtual exhibition

For the first time the European eGovernment Awards finalist are accessible online through a virtual exhibition. The virtual exhibition can be visited on www.expopolis.com (NB: for practical reasons you have to register). Naturally an electronic version of the conference exhibition catalogue will be available on www.epractice.eu/awardsmediakit as of 19 November when the Ministerial eGovernment Conference and Exhibition opens.

Other news

Ministerial tour of European eGovernment Awards Finalist stands

A ministerial tour of the European eGovernment Awards Finalists stands will take place on 18 November 2009 at the Ministerial eGovernment Conference and Exhibition. 

Finalist country fact sheets

To enhance the promotion of the European eGovernment Awards Finalists 2009 17 country factsheets from those European countries from which finalists have been selected for the European eGovernment Awards 2009. The factsheets are published in English but will be made available in the relevant national languages in the beginning of November. The fact sheets are available with other dissemination material on www.epractice.eu/en/awardsmediakit

News and background

www.epractice.eu/awards

www.egov2009.se

Danish Technological Institute/Morten Meyerhoff Nielsen – European eGovernment Awards Consortium Partner

There are four categories for the European eGovernment Awards 2009, including the Public Prize. The themes of the categories are in line with the European Union’s framework and reflect the priorities of the 5th Ministerial eGovernment Conference. As in 2007, the fourth category is the Public Prize and therefore not subject to expert evaluation.

The Public Prize is based on an online vote by ePractice.eu members for the best case from among the 52 shortlisted finalists. As such, the Public Prize represents a unique opportunity to be part of the process, help the European Commission to select the best practices and support your preferred finalists in winning one of the prestigious European eGovernment Awards.

Vote and win!

Cast your votes for the Public Prize by 18 October 2009 and you might be one of the five lucky portal members to receive free admission to the 5th Ministerial eGovernment Conference in Malmö. In addition, all voters who cast their votes before 11 November 2009 – the final online voting deadline – will have a chance at winning some of our other prizes: USB phone chargers and computer screen cleaners.

The winners will be chosen randomly in two separate draws: One for free admission to the Ministerial eGovernment Conference and one for our other prizes. All winners will be notified by e-mail. All portal members who vote online for their three favourite cases from among the 52 finalists will be eligible for the draw, excluding European Commission and ePractice.eu staff and contractors.

If a winner of the free admission to the 5th Ministerial eGovernment Conference fails to confirm his/her attendance within five working days after being notified, the invitation will be offered to another voter. Note that the invitation includes admission to the conference only, i.e. all costs regarding travel and accommodation will NOT be covered.

The 5th Ministerial eGovernment Conference will be held on 19-20 November 2009 in Malmö (Sweden). This high-level conference offers a unique learning and networking opportunity, bringing together more than 1 000 prominent public and private decision-makers and experts from across Europe and beyond. This is a unique opportunity to be granted admission to this high-profile event: attendance is limited and by invitation only!

How to vote?

Votes can be cast only online, using the voting facility on the ePractice.eu site. In order to vote, you must be a registered member of ePractice.eu (membership open to all) and have the minimum required user profile. Please read the online voting rules here before starting to vote.

Voters are asked to cast votes for three finalists from at least two countries to strengthen the European dimension of the Public Prize. If you vote for three cases from the same country, your votes will be disqualified.

Online voting closes on 11 November 2009 at 18:00 CET.  

 Further information: 

Posted by: Danish Technological Institute, Morten Meyerhoff Nielsen

Under the title “eGovernment Research and Innovation: Empowering Citizens through Government Services across Sectors and Borders” the aim of the pre-conference is to demonstrate actual use of and potential of eGovernment research and incorporate the following themes:

• Empowering citizens and businesses
• Enhancing opportunities for businesses and citizens in the internal market
• Efficiency and effectiveness in all government services
• Citizen dialogue

As you see the pre-conference is directly linked to the topics of the 5^th Ministerial eGovernment Conference: Teaming up for the eUnion (www.egov2009.se), 19-10 November, also in Malmö. The Ministerial eGovernment Conference – like the European eGovernment Awards 2009 (www.epractice.eu/awards) presented at an integrated exhibition of the 52 Awards finalists and a ceremony on 19 November announcing this year’s winners – focus on eGovernment supporting the Single Market, eGovernment services empowering citizens and businesses as well as eGovernment enabling administrative efficiency and effectiveness.

The key-note address will be delivered by Swedish Minister for Local Government and Financial Markets, Mr Mats Odell and a dinner will be hosted by Vinnova and City of Malmö in the evening at the old City Hall.

The conference is by invitation only and places are limited, but you are encouraged to register your interest in participating on www.vinnova.se/preconference (see pre-registration). Here you will also find the programme and further practical information.

Morten Meyerhoff Nielsen/Danish Technological Institute

Much has been reported about the successful campaigning, fund raising and support canvassing by the 2008 Obama election campaign. Still the use of ICT to increase electoral participation, campaigning, consultation and voting is not a uniquely US phenomena. A multitude of eParticipation and eDemocracy initiatives exist. Ranging from eVoting in Estonia’s and Geneva’s national and regional elections, gender budgeting in Freiburg, consultation on local issues in Malmö to the political influence of bloggers in China or in the 2008 election crisis in Kenya. Information communication technology (ICT) in other words plays an increasingly important role in society.

As South Africans go to the polling stations on 22 April 2009, campaigning is being played out in traditional media (TV, radio, print), on the internet, on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, in text messages/sms’s with street banners and in rallies across the country.

A full 173 parties – 134 at national level plus 39 purely provincial parties – are officially registered for the 2009 elections. Of these the four main ones are (alphabetic order):

• ANC – African National Congress and currently in power with the support, in a tripartite alliance, of the smaller South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
• COPE – Congress of the People in 2008 by formed members of the ANC
• DA – Democratic Alliance and currently the official opposition
• IFP – Inkatha Freedom Party a mainly regional party centered on the province of KwaZulu-Natal

Each of the main parties makes use of ICT in some form and in variety of ways and degrees. The table below outlines the use of websites and social networks (or Web2.0 technologies).

Note: URL’s and figures accessed on 19 April 2009

A closer look at the functionalities of different party website is presented in the table below with a number of variations emerge on the degree to which ICT and associated functionalities are utilized.

Note: Features as accessed on 19 April 2009

The degree of technology use (or non use) by the four main parties in the 2009 South African elections is arguably influenced by two main factors:

• The core electorate which the individual party aim to canvas
• The progressiveness of the electoral campaign and those running it

Both factors are interconnected. For one, the core electorate of the ANC and the more regional orientated IFP has since 1994 are considered to be relatively broader then both that of COPE and DA (NB: COPE was only formed in 2008) are at present. This implies that ICT does therefore not constitute the most optimal channel through which to reach their core target groups. The reason for this is that the voting majority does not have access to the internet, never mind to Twitter or Facebook, due to high connectivity costs, dial up or no access ICT, digital literacy and resources. This is the result of limited formal skills, resources and geographical location (e.g. remote rural areas). But also that of close to 50 million South African, according to Rick Joubert, head of Mobile Advertising at Vodacom, only 9.5 million are mobile internet users and an estimated 5 million are desktop users. This is also reflected in the ICT use of the four parties.

While the main parties all have designated party websites, the IFP utilse its website mainly for information provision with next to no online functionality bar basic search function, feedback function and the possibility to join a mailing list. By contract COPE and DA make the most use of online functionalities and links to social networks such as Facebook. Of the ANC, COPE and DA the latter two have the greatest relative presence on social networks. All three parties are officially present on Facebook with COPA and DA having the most ‘friends’ (see table above for figures). In addition both COPE and DA are present on Twitter with the latter having more updates and greater following. While all four parties actively pursue the “middle class” vote, COPE and the DA are considered to have relative greater appeal to these groups (although the DA also has a large regional following in the Western Cape across all socio economic groups). An appeal would also indirectly explain COPE and DA’s greater number of online supporters or ‘friends’ and reflecting the socio-economic context in the country.

The use of mobile telephones is a different aspect of ICT and traditionally utilized less in election campaigns. While the ANC, COPE and DA supporters can all donate money via the party websites interestingly only COPE and DA offers sms based donation. Although ANC supporters cannot donate money via sms they may register to receive news updates by – which COPE and the DA do not offer, although the latter does offer an RSS feed. The emerging use of sms’s and mobile telephony is particularly relevant as this form of technology has far greater penetration in South African society than the internet, online banking or credit cards. A fact also supported by the high penetration of mobile banking in the country and across Africa.

Currently the most innovative use of ICT in the South African election campaign is the DA. In addition to the web features already outlined, the party have maintain a database containing the details of all registered voters plus a mobile telephone database with more the five million numbers for text messaging. Both databases enable the DA to get closer to the individual voter. Not only by locating the individual geographically but by updating the databases with the individual voters affiliation and preferences the party can canvass them more directly. It also allows the party to communication directly with different target groups and individual voters – including in the party’s ‘Get Out The Vote’ (GOTV) campaign styled on the US California Democrat campaign.

The DA also run 12 subject based html newsletters and viral emails on specific topics for various target groups. Added to his is a number of forums (including the www.contributetochange.co.za). Forums supported by a community of bloggers reachable by sms, thus enabling the party through the bloggers to gather support and drive the momentum behind specific DA issues. Online polling on specific issues, a ‘report corruption’ feature, plus Facebook groups, Twitter, www.myvideo.co.za are other party initiatives utilizing ICT. The use of technology is possible due to a high degree of party commitment as highlighted by the prime candidate Helen Zille’s campaign trail Twitter and a permanent department of five staff members running the ICT aspects the party and the 2009 election campaign.

Despite the degree of innovation and effective use of ICT by the DA, the party is likely to remain the official opposition party – the ANC having a far greater support base. The results of the 22 April elections are influenced by the historic, political and socio-economic landscape of South Africa but also partially by the penetration of technology and digital skills. The fact the majority of the electorate either has no access to electronic media such as the internet, the skills or resources are therefore important factors. Furthermore ICT in a South African, even a European or North America, context have not yet reach a level of maturity where the effects of technology channels are greater than traditional mediums such as traditional media (TV, radio, print), street banners, door-to-door canvassing and rallies. Still, the use of ICT as illustrated by the DA in particular, does underscore the campaign towards voter education, checks and balances and the necessity of a viable opposition in a democratic South Africa and should therefore be applauded and encouraged.

Republic of South Africa – basic facts

With a population in 2007 of 48.4 million, a GDP per capita of US$ 9673 (purchasing power parity estimated by EIU) and real GDP growth of between 4.4-6% in the last few years South Africa is an African political and economic power and an emerging middle income developing country.

South Africa is a federal state, consisting of a national government and nine provincial governments. The country is a constitutional democracy with a bicameral parliament and an executive president elected by parliament. The 1996 constitution in force since 4 February 1997 is the supreme law of the land and considered one of the most liberal and progressive in the world. The constitution may be changed with a 2/3’s parliamentary majority. The legal system is based on Roman-Dutch law with an independent judiciary including a nine-member Constitutional Court. The constitution provides for an independent corruption watchdog, the public protector, and for independent commissions on human rights, gender equality and the restitution of land rights.

The 400-member National Assembly is elected by proportional representation; the Senate consists of indirectly elected representatives of the nine provinces. Elections must take place every 5 years and is based on a list system of proportional representation based on universal adult suffrage. Elections took place in 1994, 1999, 2004 with the 2009 elections taking place 22 April.

Policy issues include black economic empowerment (BEE), correcting social imbalances and job creation—within the context of fiscal and monetary discipline—having been the main objectives of past economic policy. The consolidation of democratic processes, which dominated the first ten years of ANC rule, has given way to a sharper focus on economic issues—specifically, promoting growth and job creation within the broader context of political and economic transformation and the ‘Africanisation’ of society. Combating HIV/AIDS is, in addition, South Africa’s chief social and economic challenge, as the disease is already having an impact on the health, welfare and education systems, as well as on the economy.

Aggressive online behaviour can be mitigated to some extent by careful moderation, especially in the context of transparent community standards and guidelines. But, as Dan points out, it also reflects our personal levels of tolerance, which only better education can improve. We are still getting used to this new form of engagement, and I remain an optimist and am committed to seeing the bottle at least half full. Moreover, anonymity can be useful in some contexts, for example to protect the identity of vulnerable individuals in sensitive situations, or to assist ‘whistle-blowers’. In all such cases, however, independent validation is probably necessary to ensure that such anonymity is justified.

The behaviour Dan describes can be seen to be a constant feature across society and history, and wasn’t invented by the Internet. I have heard as much, nay worse, in many pub (so-called) discussions, and Dan wouldn’t believe the language used (normally behind closed doors) between members of the same political party. (Been there, done that.) Any new medium of expression is bound to be used for the same outbursts. So what’s new?

Interesting questions: how indeed is eParticipation (eDemocracy or whatever) new – what does it change, if anything, how, and what can we do to maximise the positive?

PEP-NET together with the European eParticipation study are at 10.00 TODAY launching a 12 day online consultation where we don’t expect foul language nor anonymity. But we do expect something of value to emerge, as the consultation is designed to lead to concrete, considered and useful outputs addressing the above questions, and synthesised from your wisdom. So, please join us on: https://www.internet-discourse.eu.

Jeremy Millard

The second wave of project deliverables consists of the following eight documents:

• Major factors shaping the development of eParticipation (D1.1b)

• Key actors in the EU in the field of eParticipation (D1.2b)

• Main benefits of the eParticipation developments in the EU (D1.3b)

• Mapping the state of play in eParticipation in the EU (D1.4b)

• Second post-workshop report (D3.2b)

• Framework for eParticipation good practice (D4.1b)

• eParticipation good practice cases (D4.2b)

• eParticipation recommendations second and third version (D5.1c)

The third and final wave is anticipated in May/June 2009 and will take into account comments by the European Commission, the project’s peer review group as well as further work conducted by the consortium partners in the intervening period.

Practicing what it is preaching, the European eParticipation Study, together with PEP-NET, will make use of the eParticipation issues unearth during the project in a joint online consultation 2-13 March 2009 (further information to follow).

Morten Meyerhoff Nielsen, Danish Technological Institute

As some of you probably know, 2009 will be the first time, ePart, a new International Conference on eParticipation (www.demo-net.org/epart), will take place following the 8^th international EGOV conference 2009 (part of the DEXA conference cluster, www.dexa.org). ePart is dedicated to topics on eParticipation and eDemocracy. ePart will take place 3-4 September 2009 in Linz (AT), i.e. right after EGOV conference 30 August to 2 September 2009 with which ePart will be co-located.

A call for papers and workshops/panels is published for both the 2009 ePart and (EGOV www.egov-conference.org/egov-2009).

Contributions may be in the form of scientific papers (distinguishing between completed research and ongoing research), project presentations, and workshops. Each format encourages scientific rigor and discussions of the state-of-the-art, innovative research in progress, studies of practical eGovernment/eGovernance, eParticipation and eDemocracy projects, as well as system implementations.

Accepted papers will be published in Springer’s Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) Ongoing research and project papers will be published in the Trauner (Linz, AT) proceedings.

Important dates include:

• Submission of papers:  28 February 2009
• Submission of workshop/panel proposals: 15 April 2009
• Submission of PhD projects:  15 April 2009
• Notification of acceptance for papers: 15 April 2009
• Notification of workshops/panels/PhD projects: 15 May 2009
• EGOV conference: 30 August to 2 September 2009
• ePart conference: 3-4 September 2009

Morten Meyerhoff Nielsen, Danish Technological Institute

Dear Colleagues,

Many of you may already know the European Journal of ePractice (EjeP), but do you know that the next special edition is devoted entirely to eParticipation!

The 6th issue of the Journal provides a good chance to write articles based on our work and experiences and provide an excellent opportunity to public, disseminate and most importantly to exchange experiences and ideas.

Launched in November 2007 the Journal belongs to the ePractice.eu community and is sponsored by the European Commission as part of its good practice exchange activity and is run by an independent Editorial Board.

The aim of the Journal is to reinforce the visibility of articles as well as that of professionals while strengthen the overall ePractice.eu activity. The Journal promotes the diffusion and exchange of good practice in eGovernment, eHealth and eInclusion and is available to all potential readers free of charge. The Journal currently has an audience of 50,000 professionals in Europe and beyond, and build on a community of some 14,000 members.

The deadline is 8 December, but I know that the editor for the eParticipation issue Jeremy Millard can be pursuaded to extent the deadline till the second half of December if asked nicely. Relevant links are provided below.

Call: https://www.epracticejournal.eu/info/11

Submission guidelines: https://www.epracticejournal.eu/guidelines

European Journal of ePractice: https://www.epracticejournal.eu/home

Morten Meyerhoff Nielsen

Danish Technological Insitute