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Archive for December, 2009

Participation and Open Government Web Sites
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Joe Goldman, AmericaSpeaks
Joseph Peters, Ascentum

The recently-released Open Government Directive requires all federal agencies to create an open government web site within 60 days (more…)

US Government launches the Open Government Directive
Friday, December 11th, 2009

And the next generation in government-public collaboration.

This week, the White House released its Open Government Directive – a bold initiative to change the way US government agencies share information with and involve the public.

It’s a big and welcome step forward in creating a more citizen-centred and participatory government that embraces new technologies.

The Open Government Directive is based on three core values:

  • Transparency. Government should provide citizens with information about what their government is doing so that government can be held accountable.
  • Participation. Government should actively solicit expertise from outside Washington so that it makes policies with the benefit of the best information.
  • Collaboration. Government officials should work together with one another and with citizens as part of doing their job of solving national problems.

During the Directive’s official launch, White House staff practiced what they preach. They broadcast the launch live on www.whitehouse.gov as well as in a custom-built Facebook application. The public could post comments and questions via Facebook Twitter and the White House site. You can read more here.

The launch of open government, done in an open way.

Picture 1

But what will the Open Government Directive really do?

Over the next 120 days, federal agencies are required to develop their own dedicated webpages to foster and support greater transparency and public participation, as well as a formal plan for how it will incorporate public participation and collaboration into what it does.

We think this will lead to more sustainable, and therefore more effective, policy decisions and directions.

So, it’s an exciting time to be helping governments and citizens connect and work together!

- Ellis Westwood -

Building the Business Case For Social Media
Friday, December 4th, 2009

Social media is here.  There are 100s of millions of users worldwide and a strong majority of our population actively uses social media.  (more…)