ingos mad op e-dem draft

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Comments on the preliminary draftrecommendation on E-democracy

2008.10.28.Budakalsz, Hungary

Foreword commentHowever the draft recommendation points out in the second point, that :

e-democracy as the support and enhancement of democracy, democratic

processes and democratic institutions by means of ICT, and linked to the

engagement and re-engagement of citizens in democracy

the whole recommendation, except 1 paragraph leaves the institution of the Council ofEurope untouched by the recommendation, which is creating an interpretation, that theCouncil of Europe is not an institution, that has to deal with the serious challenges of e-democracy.

In align with the opportunities of the recommendation first paragraph:

e-democracy offers in order to strengthen democracy, democratic institutions and

democratic processes;

it must be stated, that from the perspective of the civil society, there is a strong need forvarious e-democratic tools, services and connecting policies to be implemented in theCouncil of Europe institutions, to show a strong example for e-enhanceddemocracy.

The European civil society (particularly the Conference of INGOs) demands committedactions from the COE towards a more transparent, more engaged and participativerelationship and operation, based on powerful e-democratic principles.

To strengthen the trustworthiness of the Council through the various means that arerelated to e-democracy, it is essential to rely on the cooperation with Conference ofINGOs, as a primary partner in the needed internal reforms, that are uprising from


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taking up the challenge of e-democracy.

Beside the fact, that the whole recommendation and it's drafting process has not yetshowed the political commitment towards the goals of e-democracy, the only answer tothis process could be the critique, that the institution can create recommendations, but thepolicies and political support, that have been characterizing the process are not

representing a commitment towards the principle goals of e-democracy.

According to the proposal of the CAHDE chair, that has been stated after the CAHDEmeeting in Madrid (to run a series of consultations with the civil society to evaluate therecommendation) it is a dangerous attempt to show the weakest possibilities that e-democracy can offer for governmental institutions (such as the COE).

Instead of running a series of consultation afterthe adoption of the recommendation by theParliamentary Assembly, we recommend to run the Council of Europe's fore running e-democracy project based on the recommendation before adoption.

We assume, that if the draft recommendation will be adopted by CAHDE, the only forumfor stating these principles will be the Parliamentary Assembly and the timing is just rightbefore the adoption.

However the process will turn out, we must stand in a strong position, that if the COEwant to really recommend the strengths, benefits and power of e-democracy togovernments, it has to make the first steps inside it's institutions.We have the confidence to state, that the right place to start is the CAHDE workinggroup and the process is to open it up in a well designed process for thecontribution of the civil society.

Madarsz CsabaConference of INGOs,Cee Citizens [email protected]+36703643482
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Detailed comments on the preliminary draft original text can be found at:http://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/bmeia/media/AOes/e-Democracy/CAHDE_2008/preliminary_draft_recommendation_-_CAHDE_2008_3E.pdf

http://ict4democracy.blogspot.com/

8. original text:Tasks for the international organization's secretariat

to include, where appropriate, e-democracy aspects into the organization'sdemocracy projects and into the work of other sectors as well as of its field offices,in relation both to external and internal activities.

RecommendationTasks for the international organization's secretariat

to ensure that COE will continue it's forerunner position with the adaption of widelydeliberated democratic processes, use/provide various e-democratic means for

supporting this task. to start the immediate revision of the organization's relevant policies, and practices

in the light of the recommendation. This needed to be carried out by consultations ofall pillars of the Council - particularly with the conference of INGOs on implementingthe recommendation in the work of the Council.

to dedicate organizational resources and trainings to secure the presence of e-democratic aspects through the various projects and working of the Council notonly direct democracy projects

to show a strong example on the dissemination of the recommendation

develop and maintain a database of best practice tools and policies (based on the

appendix) containing open source and free tools for the benefit of all stakeholders ofe-democracy

review the Council's and it's projects/institutions current policies and practices in thelight of the recommendation.

continue the empowerment of the European civil society and strengthen theforerunner position of the Council by:

developing an analization framework for measuring e-democracy projects,policies

develop and maintain a central database,that provides actual, transparentdata on each country's e-democratic projects

develop common, free e-citizen program for the benefit ofadministration/official bodies and the civil society in various topics (e-campaigning, e-consultation etc), to strengthen the knowledge sharing andflow between the stakeholders

7. Original text:Bring this Recommendation to the attention of all relevant stakeholders of the public andcivic domains as well as media and business, and encourage and support them in takingall necessary measures to contribute to the implementation of its objectives.

RecommendedThe appropriate dissemination of this recommendation in itself strengthen the culture of e-
http://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/bmeia/media/AOes/e-Democracy/CAHDE_2008/preliminary_draft_recommendation_-_CAHDE_2008_3E.pdfhttp://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/bmeia/media/AOes/e-Democracy/CAHDE_2008/preliminary_draft_recommendation_-_CAHDE_2008_3E.pdfhttp://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/bmeia/media/AOes/e-Democracy/CAHDE_2008/preliminary_draft_recommendation_-_CAHDE_2008_3E.pdfhttp://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/bmeia/media/AOes/e-Democracy/CAHDE_2008/preliminary_draft_recommendation_-_CAHDE_2008_3E.pdf


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democracy. To ensure the widest coverage of relevant stakeholders governments shallpublicize the

P.27 recommended new pointBy the set of tools and principles that e-democracy offers, communities/organizations of

any size can benefit from. Being conscious about e-democracy could strengthen goodgovernance.

P.48 Recommended new pointStakeholders should consider an open source clause when contracting for e-democracyapplications.Bearing in mind, that open source softwares and applications providing open frameworksregardless borders for development, thus a possibility for sharing development andmaintenance costs among different stakeholders involved.By the development of e-democracy focused open source softwares, stakeholders arestrengthening and making accessible their applications.

P.49 original text:The use of open standards and specification, respectively, promotes interoperability.

RecommendedThe use of open standards and specifications is in align with e-democratic values the rightpolicy, that supports accessibility and interoperability.

P.64 original textE-democracy requires rules and regulatory frameworks. Regulation on e-democracyconcerns empowerment and safeguarding. Regulation can take various forms and beundertaken by a variety of actors at various levels, including by public authorities,providers of tools and by users themselves. Only a balance between rights of access andsafeguards can guarantee and protect citizens interests.

Recommendedcitizens instead of users

G.76Recommendation of an extra line:

the level of transparency provided characterizes the overall initiative

G.78 Original text:The main goals of rules and regulatory frameworks on e-democracy should beempowerment and safeguards. Key factors should be who, how and to what purpose toparticipate, and which institutions are best at achieving participation in and transparencyand evaluation of, decision-making.

Recommended extra G.79:Transparency, as the one of the leading factors of good governance plays a central role in

e-democracy. Providing access to accurate data is one of the key factors of trust.

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