This paper reviews previous research exploring the significance of community based information an... more This paper reviews previous research exploring the significance of community based information and communication technologies (ICTs) for routine daily life. The paper then summarizes strategies and plans to develop ICTs in communities throughout Scotland. Short case studies of two different programs in Scotland are examined, and recent findings from assessments of these projects considered. Aspects of sustainability in relation to ICT and community are then examined. Finally, the paper suggests need for more collaborative research and more in-depth empirical work to clarify the implications of new relationships developing between ICT and community. Empirical research and critical analysis will help broaden understanding of Community Informatics by informing policy makers, practitioners, researchers and communities. In turn, greater knowledge about the significance of new technologies may help support community based technologies in a more sustainable fashion.
This chapter focuses on the development, application and impact of information and communication ... more This chapter focuses on the development, application and impact of information and communication technology on civic representation and participation in the democratic process. Governments, at local and national levels, need to restore public confidence and interest in the democratic process. They need to improve the turn out at elections and, importantly, they need to address the underlying sense that, except during election campaigns, the views of the public are not actively sought or, importantly, listened to and taken into account. This chapter gives practical guidance on how parliaments and governments can develop, apply and manage information and communication technology (ICT) to address this concern and to support the public to participate in setting agendas, establishing priorities and making policies–to strengthen public understanding and participation in democratic decision making. However, the question is still unanswered as to whether ICT will enable more open, democrati...
... The IAG report indicates that under the Open Scotland Brand,14 a Scottish Government Portal w... more ... The IAG report indicates that under the Open Scotland Brand,14 a Scottish Government Portal will be created to bring together key Web-based information sites and Web enabled services already in existence across the wider Scottish Public Sector. ...
Examined in this chapter is action to address the "digital divide," and possibilities f... more Examined in this chapter is action to address the "digital divide," and possibilities for extending e-democracy to support wider democratic participation using ICT in local communities. We describe current approaches in Scotland for tackling the digital divide, and we discuss the concept of wired communities. We also refer to "Digital Scotland" initiatives, and we outline the aims and expected outcomes from Scotland's "Digital Communities" projects. Finally, we suggest how action research could extend electronic democratization into the two digital communities being created in Scotland. The research work we suggest would provide a framework in which to better appreciate the significance of technology in supporting e-democracy at local community levels, and in so doing, contribute knowledge to strategy and planning policies and social and digital inclusion agendas in Scotland.
Ireland has a booming economy and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. However many de... more Ireland has a booming economy and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. However many demographic groups are excluded from participating in, and benefiting from, an economy and society where ICT and the Internet in particular are becoming increasingly important. This paper presents the results of a study which for the first time identified the excluded demographic groups: late adopters with the lowest rates of Internet access and use in Ireland. The analysis draws on the results of interviews and consultations with 60 stakeholders active in social inclusion, e-government and information society development in Ireland which identified critical e-inclusion areas and actions and developed a 10-point action plan. The paper concludes with a reflection on the e-inclusion deficit in Ireland the gap between policy and political commitment and action. L'économie de l'Irlande connaît une croissance éclatante et un des plus faibles taux de chômage en Europe. Plusieurs groupe...
For digital library and information retrieval technologies to provide solutions for bridging the ... more For digital library and information retrieval technologies to provide solutions for bridging the digital divide in developing countries, we need to understand the information access practices of remote and often poor communities in these countries. We must understand the information needs of these communities, and the best means to provide them access to relevant information. To this end, we investigated the current information access practices in an Indian village.
This article explores two of the central theoretical perspectives for promoting and understanding... more This article explores two of the central theoretical perspectives for promoting and understanding community-building initiatives in cyberspace. One is referred to as virtual democracy and contains reference to many of the key concepts taken from classical democratic theory: universal access to information, participation in public debate and political decision-making, empowerment and equality of citizenry. The other perspective, urban entrepreneurialism, is based on an analysis of late capitalism and the place of consumption in determination of self, culture and society. Proponents of this second perspective see possibilities for urban regeneration and economic renewal through emphasis on locally-situated entrepreneurialism operating within a global market. A case study of community-building in cyberspace currently being compiled the Craigmiller Community Information Service (CCIS) Network in Edinburgh, Scotland is sketched in the remainder of the article. Although the case clearly reflects aspects of these two perspectives in its stated objectives, limited evidence is found among user groups in the housing estate expressing value for and use of network services. In spite of this, both users and network spokesmen remain optimistic that the initiative will eventually contribute to both entrepreneurial and community-building aspirations shared for the Craigmiller housing estate.
The International Teledemocracy Centre at Napier University has designed an innovative e-democrac... more The International Teledemocracy Centre at Napier University has designed an innovative e-democracy toolkit to support participation in the democratic decision-making process. Electronic petitioning is one of the web-based applications in the toolkit. It can be found at www.e-petitioner.org.uk and has the functionality to create petitions; to view/sign petitions; to add background information, to join discussion forum; and to submit petitions. On 14 th March, 2000, the Scottish Parliament agreed to allow groups and individuals to submit petitions using the e-petitioner system for a trial period. The special arrangement between the Teledemocracy Centre and the Scottish Parliament has allowed both parties to start to evaluate the use and civic impact of electronic petitioning in Scotland. The development, deployment and evaluation of e-petitioner have demonstrated how straightforward computing techniques can enhance public participation in the newly established Scottish Parliament. As well as the system being used to submit e-petitions to the Scottish Parliament, it is also hosting the first ever e-petition to the British Prime Minister at No.10 Downing St.
IFIP International Federation for Information Processing, 2002
This paper focuses on the introduction and use of information and communication technology (ICT) ... more This paper focuses on the introduction and use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the new Scottish Parliament to enhance Scottish citizens' understanding of the governance of Scotland and to encourage them to participate in the democratic decision making of Scotland. The primary focus is the use of the World Wide Web as a vehicle both for dissemination of information and for interaction with the Parliament.
The International Teledemocracy Centre at Napier University has designed an innovative e-democrac... more The International Teledemocracy Centre at Napier University has designed an innovative e-democracy toolkit to support participation in the democratic decision-making process. Electronic petitioning is one of the web-based applications in the toolkit. It can be found at www.e-petitioner.org.uk and has the functionality to create petitions; to view/sign petitions; to add background information, to join discussion forum; and to submit petitions.
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2001
For digital library and information retrieval technologies to provide solutions for bridging the ... more For digital library and information retrieval technologies to provide solutions for bridging the digital divide in developing countries, we need to understand the information access practices of remote and often poor communities in these countries. We must understand the information needs of these communities, and the best means to provide them access to relevant information. To this end, we investigated the current information access practices in an Indian village.
This paper reviews previous research exploring the significance of community based information an... more This paper reviews previous research exploring the significance of community based information and communication technologies (ICTs) for routine daily life. The paper then summarizes strategies and plans to develop ICTs in communities throughout Scotland. Short case studies of two different programs in Scotland are examined, and recent findings from assessments of these projects considered. Aspects of sustainability in relation to ICT and community are then examined. Finally, the paper suggests need for more collaborative research and more in-depth empirical work to clarify the implications of new relationships developing between ICT and community. Empirical research and critical analysis will help broaden understanding of Community Informatics by informing policy makers, practitioners, researchers and communities. In turn, greater knowledge about the significance of new technologies may help support community based technologies in a more sustainable fashion.
This chapter focuses on the development, application and impact of information and communication ... more This chapter focuses on the development, application and impact of information and communication technology on civic representation and participation in the democratic process. Governments, at local and national levels, need to restore public confidence and interest in the democratic process. They need to improve the turn out at elections and, importantly, they need to address the underlying sense that, except during election campaigns, the views of the public are not actively sought or, importantly, listened to and taken into account. This chapter gives practical guidance on how parliaments and governments can develop, apply and manage information and communication technology (ICT) to address this concern and to support the public to participate in setting agendas, establishing priorities and making policies–to strengthen public understanding and participation in democratic decision making. However, the question is still unanswered as to whether ICT will enable more open, democrati...
... The IAG report indicates that under the Open Scotland Brand,14 a Scottish Government Portal w... more ... The IAG report indicates that under the Open Scotland Brand,14 a Scottish Government Portal will be created to bring together key Web-based information sites and Web enabled services already in existence across the wider Scottish Public Sector. ...
Examined in this chapter is action to address the "digital divide," and possibilities f... more Examined in this chapter is action to address the "digital divide," and possibilities for extending e-democracy to support wider democratic participation using ICT in local communities. We describe current approaches in Scotland for tackling the digital divide, and we discuss the concept of wired communities. We also refer to "Digital Scotland" initiatives, and we outline the aims and expected outcomes from Scotland's "Digital Communities" projects. Finally, we suggest how action research could extend electronic democratization into the two digital communities being created in Scotland. The research work we suggest would provide a framework in which to better appreciate the significance of technology in supporting e-democracy at local community levels, and in so doing, contribute knowledge to strategy and planning policies and social and digital inclusion agendas in Scotland.
Ireland has a booming economy and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. However many de... more Ireland has a booming economy and one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. However many demographic groups are excluded from participating in, and benefiting from, an economy and society where ICT and the Internet in particular are becoming increasingly important. This paper presents the results of a study which for the first time identified the excluded demographic groups: late adopters with the lowest rates of Internet access and use in Ireland. The analysis draws on the results of interviews and consultations with 60 stakeholders active in social inclusion, e-government and information society development in Ireland which identified critical e-inclusion areas and actions and developed a 10-point action plan. The paper concludes with a reflection on the e-inclusion deficit in Ireland the gap between policy and political commitment and action. L'économie de l'Irlande connaît une croissance éclatante et un des plus faibles taux de chômage en Europe. Plusieurs groupe...
For digital library and information retrieval technologies to provide solutions for bridging the ... more For digital library and information retrieval technologies to provide solutions for bridging the digital divide in developing countries, we need to understand the information access practices of remote and often poor communities in these countries. We must understand the information needs of these communities, and the best means to provide them access to relevant information. To this end, we investigated the current information access practices in an Indian village.
This article explores two of the central theoretical perspectives for promoting and understanding... more This article explores two of the central theoretical perspectives for promoting and understanding community-building initiatives in cyberspace. One is referred to as virtual democracy and contains reference to many of the key concepts taken from classical democratic theory: universal access to information, participation in public debate and political decision-making, empowerment and equality of citizenry. The other perspective, urban entrepreneurialism, is based on an analysis of late capitalism and the place of consumption in determination of self, culture and society. Proponents of this second perspective see possibilities for urban regeneration and economic renewal through emphasis on locally-situated entrepreneurialism operating within a global market. A case study of community-building in cyberspace currently being compiled the Craigmiller Community Information Service (CCIS) Network in Edinburgh, Scotland is sketched in the remainder of the article. Although the case clearly reflects aspects of these two perspectives in its stated objectives, limited evidence is found among user groups in the housing estate expressing value for and use of network services. In spite of this, both users and network spokesmen remain optimistic that the initiative will eventually contribute to both entrepreneurial and community-building aspirations shared for the Craigmiller housing estate.
The International Teledemocracy Centre at Napier University has designed an innovative e-democrac... more The International Teledemocracy Centre at Napier University has designed an innovative e-democracy toolkit to support participation in the democratic decision-making process. Electronic petitioning is one of the web-based applications in the toolkit. It can be found at www.e-petitioner.org.uk and has the functionality to create petitions; to view/sign petitions; to add background information, to join discussion forum; and to submit petitions. On 14 th March, 2000, the Scottish Parliament agreed to allow groups and individuals to submit petitions using the e-petitioner system for a trial period. The special arrangement between the Teledemocracy Centre and the Scottish Parliament has allowed both parties to start to evaluate the use and civic impact of electronic petitioning in Scotland. The development, deployment and evaluation of e-petitioner have demonstrated how straightforward computing techniques can enhance public participation in the newly established Scottish Parliament. As well as the system being used to submit e-petitions to the Scottish Parliament, it is also hosting the first ever e-petition to the British Prime Minister at No.10 Downing St.
IFIP International Federation for Information Processing, 2002
This paper focuses on the introduction and use of information and communication technology (ICT) ... more This paper focuses on the introduction and use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the new Scottish Parliament to enhance Scottish citizens' understanding of the governance of Scotland and to encourage them to participate in the democratic decision making of Scotland. The primary focus is the use of the World Wide Web as a vehicle both for dissemination of information and for interaction with the Parliament.
The International Teledemocracy Centre at Napier University has designed an innovative e-democrac... more The International Teledemocracy Centre at Napier University has designed an innovative e-democracy toolkit to support participation in the democratic decision-making process. Electronic petitioning is one of the web-based applications in the toolkit. It can be found at www.e-petitioner.org.uk and has the functionality to create petitions; to view/sign petitions; to add background information, to join discussion forum; and to submit petitions.
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2001
For digital library and information retrieval technologies to provide solutions for bridging the ... more For digital library and information retrieval technologies to provide solutions for bridging the digital divide in developing countries, we need to understand the information access practices of remote and often poor communities in these countries. We must understand the information needs of these communities, and the best means to provide them access to relevant information. To this end, we investigated the current information access practices in an Indian village.
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