E-Democracy.Org brings people from
across the political spectrum together for online
discussions of public issues that matter in the real world.
Current use of the Internet in campaigning
and advocacy tends to organize like-minds in pitched opposition to other
citizens - it is creating more noise, greater contempt, and more polarization
among active citizens.
We know we can use the Internet as
activists. Can we use the Internet to bring people together as well?
We believe online public spaces and
Internet-enabled in-person gatherings must be used to close this democratic
divide. We must increase citizen respect and understanding of those
who hold different views. We've done that successfully for over a
decade with our online public Issues
Forums.
Promoting Meetups
on Local Issues around the world is an ideal starting point for using
the Internet to strengthen democracy by bringing people with diverse perspectives
and backgrounds together. Local issues and challenges our geographic
communities face are far less partisan and allow for discussion with
both passion and common sense. As a plus, people live close enough
to these challenges to often do something about their concerns.
While the goals of our in-person
Meetups focus on conversation, learning, understanding, and civic socializing,
we know that certain topics of discussion will ignite sparks for civic
activity in some communities. With our strictly non-partisan, non-advocacy
approach, we are not burdening the Local Issues Meetups with goals like
agreement or consensus or a process to take activist positions.
Like our online public spaces, these
gatherings are to be a trusted neutral ground where those who can agree
to disagree and can be polite about it are always welcome. If you
can create or support the public sphere as a civic enegry multiplier of
sorts, we have faith that active citizens will take their conversations
and insights to the wider community.
See our initial Q and
A below.
