Difference between revisions of "Citizen"

Revision as of 11:59, 23 March 2006

What is e-consultation? E-consultation is the use of electronic computing and communication technologies in consultation processes and is complimentary to existing practices. To find out more please visit http://www.e-consultation.org/

Why e-consultation?

E-consultation has value added in terms of the time, costs, participation rates, engagement levels and dissemination processes associated with completing a successful consultation. The use of Information communication technologies (ICT) can facilitate a number of tasks 1) information transfer. 2) dialogue support, 3) problem exploration and solving, 4) measurement of needs and preferences, 5) joint document writing. Within this guide you will find detailed explanation of the nature of the benefits with accompanying examples.

Examples (Trials)

E-consultation is currently in a development phase on the island of Ireland. This section outlines four examples of ongoing e-consultations and you can use the links below to learn more. These four pilots are with Waterways Ireland, The Wheel, the North South Educational Exchange (NSEC) and the Northern Ireland Youth forum. Via their websites these groups have used a range of e-techniques to consult with their members. The groups have used ICT to create on-line surveys, e-forums, e-newsletters and electronic voting. In all cases these techniques have been used in conjunction with traditional methods.

Why not use these links to find out more?

http://waterways.e-consultation.org/

http://wheel.e-consultation.org

http://nsec.e-consultation.org

http://youth.e-consultation.org

Useful Links

Good Practice

http://www.sdublincoco.ie/index.aspx?pageid=1000

http://www.cavancoco.ie/cccws/templates/general/tge_index.aspx?str_ID=227

http://www.meath.ie/community/websites.html

http://www.bristol-city.gov.uk

http://www.dublin.ie/forums

Time (***)

Can using E-technology reduce the time it takes to read documents and make submissions in consultations?

Cost (***)

What sort of resources are needed to engage in E-consultations in terms of cost? Where can I find out this type of information?

Engagement (***)

Many public consultations are a one-way process in terms of engagment - I make a submission and the authority does not reply to it - can e-technology be used to ensure that my views are being listened to? Is it reasonable to expect going into a consultation process the degree of influence my opinions will have on the final decision/policy outcome?

Case studies (***)

Where can I learn about engaging in E-consultation processes?

Participation ()

Is it possible to identify the degree or type of participation that I will have when I'm engaging in consultation? Should I expect to directly influence outcomes from the process? Can E-technology make the process more accountable and transparent for me? Can E-technology make participation in consultation easier to access?

Skills (**)

What skills or technical knowledge do I need in order to engage in E-consultation? Where can I get these skills/knowledge?

Usability (***)

Are technologies and software difficult to use? Will I need to have expertise of computers, etc. before I can engage in E-consultation? Where can I get easy to follow instructions on how to use the technologies? Where can I get a glossary of the technical terms involved?

Results (***)

Will E-technology allow me to monitor the results of the consultation in transparent way? Will it allow me to see what happened to my submission? Can I comment on the final decision that is taken?

Benefits (***)

How does engaging in E-consultation benefit me as a citizen? What are the benefits of using E-technologies over more traditional methods?

What is e-consultation (***)

What exactly is 'consultation' and 'E-consultation'? What is the difference between the two?

Resources (***)

What resources do I need in order to engage in E-consultation - in terms of money, access to tecnology, knowledge?

Relationships (***)

What exactly is the relationship between me, the facilitator, and the consulter? What can I expect from the consulter and the facilitator when I engage in consultation?

FAQ (***)

There are a number of issues - including an explanation of some of the technical terms used in consultation and E-consultation - that I will need to know. Where can I get information on these issues?

Promotion (**)

Why e-consultation (***)

What are the benefits to me in using E-consultation and E-technology?

Guidelines ()

Public consultation can be a contentious business, paticularly on issues of trust/transparency/accountibility, between the consulter and the consultee. Is it possible to access a 'best practice' guide that outlines what I, the citizen, can expect/demand from the consultation process, as well as its outcomes?

Translation ()

Is it possible for me - with little technical knowledge - to match the appropriate technologies with the kind of consultation I am engaging in?

Stages (***)

Would it be possible for me to know where exactly in the policy-making process my involvement will take place? Is it at the agenda setting, formulation, or implementation stage?

Security (**)

Consultation can involve the divulging of sensitive information? What can be done to ensure that information is secure?

Process change (**)

In practical terms, how does the use of E-technology change how I engage in public consultation?

Technology (***)

Where can I get information on the technology and technical knowledge that I will need in order to engage in E-consultation?

Transparency ()

How can E-technology improve the transparency of public consultation? Where can I find actual examples of where this has happened?