Some of the most influential policymakers in Europe are attending the Government Leaders' Forum in Lisbon, with speakers including the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso; the Chairman of Microsoft Bill Gates and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson.
He told delegates that electronic communication is "transforming relations between politicians, public servants, the media and the citizen", and emphasised the need for such technology to be made available to all.
"The global growth of ICTs challenges old notions of what is representative, and what is participative, democracy," he said.
"Today we have to redefine citizenship in a digital world where the voter is a both a consumer and a participant in the political process.
"That should not mean cyberpopulism, where the loudest voices with the greatest resources dominate e-Democracy. But it does mean rethinking the role of the representative, the citizen and the public servant in the 21st century."
George Reid pointed out that the use of technology is altering the traditional information flow between government and citizen, and said it was vital that the public trust the process and see evidence "that participation brings demonstrable results".
He said: "If ICTs become as normal as getting on a bus, there are tangible benefits for democracy. It means better policy development, transparency, accountability and public engagement.
"Engagement does not diminish representative government. It strengthens it, because it stretches public space."
More than 300 representatives of governments, nongovernmental organisations and businesses are attending the Government Leaders' Forum.
Quelle: Publictechnology, 03.02.2006
