19th of May 2009 Institute for Electronic Participation 1

International Conference

Towards Information Society in South East Europe: The Role of eDemocracy

19th May 2009 Belgrade, Serbia

Lessons Learned from Case Studies in Slovenia

Simon Delakorda

Institute for Electronic Participation (INePA)Ljubljana

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Empirical Facts

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Lessons from NGOs sector

NGOs e-participation portal for the EU Council Presidency

www.predsedovanje.si/en

On-line Citizens forum for the European elections 2009

www.evropske-volitve.si

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Content available increased NGOs information regarding the Presidency but its impact on policy-making during the Presidency was insignificant.

The Predsedovanje.si portal was not recognized among the NGOs.

Lacked stronger connection with live events during the presidency and on-line debates and polls involved a small number of participants.

Not utilized on proper scale because of a limited financial and staffing capacities of the NGOs, limited knowledge on EU policies, decision-making processes and lack of the interest for participation.

Low level of government feedback on on-line debates reports.

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Back to the Future... eParticipation initiatives brings more politics and social related

issues then technical ones eParticipation effects depends from development of a political

culture and active citizenship within a polity political elites in Slovenia understand eParticipation as a PR eParticipation has to be efficient (it is not a profitable market

category and is very demanding in terms of resources) combining on-line and off-line participation evaluation of results (methodology and justification) the role of NGOs as a eParticipation facilitators eParticipation requires passion and emotions related to the

improvement of the quality of our every day lives

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Thank you

Institute for Electronic Participation - INePAPovšetova ulica 37, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

P: +386 41 365 529www.inepa.si / www.inepa.eu

Simon DelakordaExecutive Director

simon.delakorda@inepa.si