eDemocracy International - International E-Democracy

eDemocracy International Proposal - An early draft.
Fall 1996

• A global association of local, regional, and national non-partisan citizen-based electronic democracy or online civic participation efforts. Core elements of "citizen-based" efforts should work to ensure the development of a long-term foundation that promotes participation in democracy and online interaction among citizens with diverse political opinions and backgrounds. Initial work of an international association might include the creation of content development guides and online organizing tools; the "seeding" of groups through active networking with local individuals and organizations; and the creation of an electronic democracy research network

• A major "Electronic Democracy" conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA in 1998. The International Telecommunications Union will be holding their five year session during the month of October, 1998 in Minneapolis. Over 180 countries will send delegates to the ITU conference. An "Electronic Democracy" conference woul d be held during or around the October timeframe. This conference could be preceeded by a few pre-conferences in different parts of the world.

• Financial support. To support the growth of eletronic democracy from the grassroots, the financial sponsorship and the participation of foundations, community networks, the academy, the media, the commercial sector, and government is needed. While the resources and interest exist at a global level, the real work must take place from the local level on up.

During this next year we will be studying the feasibility of the initiatives mentioned above and working on funding opportunities based on this research.