conference: can e-democracy re-engage the public?

A date for your diaries.
23 November 2005, quite a nice summary of e-democracy research in Britain.

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Can e-democracy re-engage the public?

Wednesday 23rd November 2005, De Montfort University, Leicester.

Local authorities, encouraged by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, are experimenting with a range of electronic devices to enhance local democracy. But are these e-tools a solution to the problems facing local democracy, or a distraction from the real issues?

The conference will focus on the potential of, and limitations for, reinvigorating local political engagement through e-democracy.

Topics include: the prospects for e-democracy; the barriers to its successful implementation; the development of radical political movements on the internet; and the role of online discussion forums in developing deliberation. (See programme for further details).

[see participants below]

Attendance is free, but advanced registration is required.
To confirm your participation, please contact Caroline Laird [claird_at_dmu.ac.uk].

Programme

9.30 Registration/coffee

10.00 Introduction (Lawrence Pratchett)

10.10 Plenary Address

Prof Stephen Coleman (Oxford Internet Institute):
E-democracy and the question of power'

11.10 Coffee

11.30 e-Democracy under the microscope - contemporary research

Dr Lawrence Pratchett (LGRU De Montfort):
'Does local government need (or want) e-democracy ?'

Dr Jenny Pickerill (Leicester University):
'Radical politics on the net'

Dr Scott Wright (LGRU, De Montfort) and Professor John Street (UEA):
'Democracy, deliberation and design: the case of online discussion forums'

13.00 Lunch

14.00 e-Democracy in action - policy roundtable

Ian Johnson (Department for Constitutional Affairs)
Martin Vogel (BBC Action Network)
Ross Ferguson (Hansard Society)
Isobel Harding (Local e-democracy National Project)

15.30 Close / Tea