I returned today from the International e-Participation and Local Democracy Symposium. It really was fantastic and it’s going to change what I blog about. I’ll try to put into practice some of what I learnt.
I also had an interesting conversation about Lebanon/Israel with one of the conference attendees and I have to admit I am softening on the position I put in my last post. But enough about that — we cannot change the wrongness of it all.
I’ll spend some more time tomorrow trying to trim down a bit of all that I want to say about the Symposium. For now, I’ll just echo what Sam said in the Closing Plenary (for those who attended who are reading this)…
August 2nd, 2006 at 8:25 pm
I don’t understand the agenda/funding/purpose of this meeting. It must have been great for networking and I am sure I would have enjoyed it, but wouldn’t a conference organised by people with a shared vision be more relevant. Or maybe I’m missing something.
August 3rd, 2006 at 8:47 am
I think the agenda was quite wide really, it was about using technology in democratic services — introducing e-voting, providing services online and blogging as well as all the other internet-enabled things you can do (electionmall.com, theyworkforyou.com etc).
All the attendees had either used technology or wanted to in the future…
But yes, the networking was very helpful too.
August 6th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
Are you going to be at the Tory party conference? Maybe you can share something with us fellow-bloggers.
PS - Ellie Seymour’s getting stuck in about this trip.
August 6th, 2006 at 5:52 pm
I have asked the constituency Agent for the necessary forms so I may be going… If I do, rest assured I’ll post about it!