"eParticipation in Central and Eastern Europe“: The big questions The circumstances under which electronic participation has to operate are very different in the Central and Eastern European states in comparison with Western Europe. This discourse tries to address how these circumstances can be used as advantages or represent barriers to the successful use of eParticipation in the region.
Among the big areas of discussion related to this topic are:
- Opportunities presented by eParticipation
- Barriers
- Digital Inclusion/The Digital Divide
- Which issues apply to eParticipation in general, and which are specific to C&E Europe?
In depth information can be found in the library section of the site Link
Of course we also want to discuss concrete aspects and issues. Three examples of those are posted below as a conversation starter. Feel free to posts your opinions to the forum (Link):
1.) Internet peneration is much lower in the central and eastern European states as it is in Western Europe (Link). This is especially true if one looks at broadband penetration. With this obvious digital divide: Are really successful eParticipation projects really possible or is there a need to improve the infrastructure at first? Click here to discuss this issue on the forum
2.) Taking into account the vast variety of development states CEE countries are in which aspect of eParticipation would fit each development state? Is it necessary to start of with transparency focussed projects or can more participation focussed efforts be among the first tries?
Click here to discuss this issue on the forum
3.) Many democracies in the region are fairly young and have to deal with a legacy of left behind be socialism and authoritarian regimes. How does this situation effect the development of eParticipation and eDemocracy in these countries? Could this situation an advantage because there is less history of offline participation to deal with?
Click here to discuss this issue on the forum
To discuss any other issues, please go to the forum and start a new thread. You need to register and log in to do this.
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