You suggested a number of ideas in the Open Government Brainstorm. Some recommended training neighborhood facilitators in proven dialogue methods to engage a group on issues of common concern. Others underscored the need for civic toolkits, including neutral discussion guides to facilitate community discussions on how to address local problems. Still others suggested forums on national topics, such as combining deliberation and service on Martin Luther King Day and creating a website for groups across the nation to share their conclusions. You can find a longer list of Phase I ideas here.
- What is the appropriate and most effective role for the government to play in fostering greater civic participation? Should the government develop content, fund the work of organizations that teach civic education, establish platforms to connect communities to each other and to government?
- Do you know of best practices, whether from local, state or foreign governments, or foundations that foster and support civic participation? What are the most effective tools to get people to participate?
- What skills and subject areas are the most important for civic literacy today? How do we promote the kind of civic education necessary to enable people to make greater use of government data, like the information available on Data.gov, or participate in online commenting processes, like this one or regulations.gov?
Sonal Shah is Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, White House Domestic Policy Council, Robynn Sturm is Assistant Deputy Chief Technology Officer
Related posts:
- New Technologies and Participation
- Wrap-Up of the Open Government Brainstorming: Participation
- Wrap-Up of the Open Government Brainstorming: Participation
- Enhancing Online Citizen Participation Through Policy
- Improving Online Public Participation in Agency Rulemaking
