Abstract:

The International Centre of Excellence for Local eDemocracy (ICELE), set to drive up eParticipation rates in the UK through providing best practice advice and support to local authorities, was launched today by The Right Honourable Angela Smith MP at the United Nations Sixth Annual Conference and Forum on City Informatization in the Asia-Pacific Region (CIAPR VI)'.

Full Text:

The International Centre of Excellence for Local eDemocracy (ICELE), set to drive up eParticipation rates in the UK through providing best practice advice and support to local authorities, was launched today by The Right Honourable Angela Smith MP at the United Nations Sixth Annual Conference and Forum on City Informatization in the Asia-Pacific Region (CIAPR VI)'.

Speaking at the conference , Ms Smith commented: "I am delighted that today we are launching the International Centre of Excellence. This has the full backing of the United Nations and the Council of Europe. I am very proud that the UK is in the lead and we are now acknowledged to be among world leaders in local e-government. Our aim in the UK is for seamless, personalised services that respond directly to people's needs and are delivered in the way that best suits the individual. We are looking to build strong partnerships between the public, the private and the voluntary and community sectors. We will also develop strong links between central and local government and agencies, and between international bodies that are pushing the boundaries forward of what is possible."

She continued: "It is vital that we go on linking up and sharing our knowledge, expertise and experience.  We now have formal arrangements with our partners and colleagues across the world in pursuit of our vision of a harmonious society advanced through ICT delivery for better government.  Our citizens will expect nothing less."

Councillor Ellis, Chairman of ICELE, commented: "Democracy is much bigger than Party Politics. ICELE will work with all Parties to help ensure local people are well informed and have a real voice in local decision making, as well as spreading this knowledge and learning. Democratic participation is steadily declining, yet opportunities to involve local people in local decision making are growing every day. From text voting through to online consultations, we need to harness new technologies to make it easy for people across the country to get involved in the democratic process.

"Many of the issues facing UK local authorities are the same across countries and across boundaries. The international focus of the Centre will act as a conduit to bring together the vision, leading technologies and best practices from across the world to help share and replicate this both nationally and internationally.

"Today also sees the launch of the Centre's new website http://www.icele.org/. The website is a working example of how we will take forward the aims and objectives of ICELE. It also represents the initial stage in establishing the Centre as the first port of call for local authorities for best practice advice and support on everything to do with local e-democracy. Through the website we can help to foster and develop meaningful two-way dialogues between local authorities and residents within communities across the country."

ICELE has been in development since early this year. The underlying aim of the centre is to capture, contribute and disseminate best practice advice on local e-democracy internationally, nationally and locally. To make sure that ICELE meets the needs of local authorities. Today also saw the launch of three pieces of online research through http://www.icele.org/. ICELE hopes the results of this research will help to shape the focus of the Centre as it moves forward.

Rita Wilson, Director of ICELE, said: "We'd like to encourage all local authority employees and their partners - from webmasters, to communicators, to regeneration teams, through to those leading on democratic participation - to take part in the research. Each survey only takes a few minutes to complete and by taking part we can make sure ICELE gives you what you need."

She continued: "The Centre will be supported by a Strategic Advisory Group with representation from a number of sectors and key partners, as well as working closely with regional groups to make a difference on the ground. Individual themes will include looking at how to empower communities online, innovation and trends in online tools, political engagement, and building the international context. As we move forward, we plan to develop close working relationships with regional bodies and partners across the UK and would encourage local and regional bodies to get in touch through our website http://www.icele.org/."

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