US FCC Workshop/Webinar on Civic Engagement/E-Gov and Broadband - 6 Aug 2009 - Wash DC/Online
Steven Clift
cross-posting widely.
From: Steven Clift <cl...@e-democracy.org>
Date: Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Subject: US FCC Workshop/Webinar on Civic Engagement/E-Gov and
Broadband - 6 Aug 2009 - Wash DC/Online
To: news...@groups.dowire.org
This is this Thursday, at 9:30 a.m. in DC but also via a webinar for
those WHO REGISTER NOW. While the law -
http://pages.e-democracy.org/National_Broadband_Plan - specifically
mentions "civic participation" the initial title of this U.S.
government hosted workshop was once just e-gov, so I am very pleased
to see how this workshop is shaping up!
This is the first time the U.S. Congress has put into a law an
affirmative interest in the use of broadband (or the Internet, etc.)
for civic participation across the whole of society. I was worried
when I saw e-government potentially trumping e-democracy in the draft
workshop schedule (for too many years it was "services first,
democracy later") ... so it is awesome to see FCC staff listened to my
and other's input. I guess it is finally "later."
From:
http://www.broadband.gov/ws_egov.html
Register here for WEBINAR version, see link about for other links:
http://tinyurl.com/m3s2sq
Workshop: E-Gov/Civic Engagement
Location & Coordinators
Date: 8/6/09
Time: 9:30 am
Location: Room TW-C305 (Commission Meeting Room)
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
Directions
Coordinator: Andrew Nesi
Phone: (202) 418-3601
The goal of this workshop is to evaluate how broadband can improve the
performance of government specifically in terms of transparency and
citizen participation and more generally in terms of effectiveness and
efficiency. The workshop will consider various ways all levels of
government, as well as governments in other countries, have used
broadband to improve its performance in these ways and how those
lessons might apply for purposes of developing the national broadband
plan. The workshop will also consider the potential benefits of
universal broadband in enabling various government operations to move
to a digital platform in terms of improved performance, cost savings,
and strategic benefits to the communications infrastructure.
Topics (Preliminary)
The following are some of the preliminary topics that will be covered
at this workshop. If you would like to discuss any other topics,
please send us your suggestions.
* Key new technologies for government operations
* How government operations could change if there were universal broadband
* How can access to broadband amplify the goals of open and accessible
government (increasing public awareness and participation in
government)?
* What are new uses of broadband that would further open government
and civic participation?
* How do new media, including social networking tools, advance civic
participation, and are there limitations or concerns associated with
such use?
* How can broadband infrastructure and services improve citizen access
to local and national news, information, dialogue with government and
other citizens, transactional efficiency, and participation in
governance?
* Does access to broadband increase the ability of the average citizen
to make her voice heard by the government and other citizens, and if
so, how can this be advanced?
* What are the benefits of video streaming or video conferencing of
government meetings to enable participation by those who cannot attend
a meeting in person (because of distance, cost, disability, illness,
and the like)
* Are there other applications of broadband technology that can
improve civic participation and how can they be encouraged?
Can't make a trip to DC? Attend the workshop online!
You’ll need to register to attend the workshop online ("webinar").
You’ll also need to set up the required webinar software prior to the
event. Also check to make sure that you have the appropriate players
needed to playback the UCF (Universal Communications Format) rich
media files. The sooner your computer is properly set up, the sooner
you can join the event! If you have problems joining a meeting or
viewing the webinar, please contact the events administrator.
--
Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.Org
Donate today: http://e-democracy.org/donate
--
Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com
Executive Director - http://E-Democracy.Org
Donate today: http://e-democracy.org/donate