David Newman: research

2004-05-18T23:44:00Z

research

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On 20th May 2004, Minister Sile de Valera will be launching the N-S Research Programme for Peace and Reconcilliation, in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan.

===Imagine===
<img align="right" src="http://www.qub.ac.uk/mgt/intsys/image/pappile.gif" border=0 alt="pile of paper">
*You are one of two staff in a community or voluntary group
*You have received 25-page consultation documents from each of 120 public bodies
*They have given you 8 weeks to reply
===Reality===
*It happened in June 2000, when devolved public bodies started having to consult the public.
*They had to consult on the equality impact of their policies.
*Under direct rule, they rarely consulted
*Unlike councils in England which have spent 20 years learning how to consult.
*Currently there are 41 consultations listed on the [http://www.consultationni.gov.uk/ NI Executive Central Consultation Register]
...page...
===E-consultation===
*It is the use of electronic computing and communication technologies in consultation. This complements existing consultation mechanisms.
*Succesfully used by:
**Dutch government agencies.
**Researchers at the German National Research Labs. for Computing.
**East Belfast Partnership Board
*As shown at our [[HomePage|E-consultation workshop]]
...page...
===E-consulation research===
*We aim to turn e-consultation from an experimental idea to a practical option for community, voluntary and public sector bodies in areas affected by conflict.
**Engaging excluded citizens in governance.
**Improving consultation processes.
**Developing a more participatory democracy.
**Contributing to the survival of the peace process.
*We cannot just copy what works in German town planning, US politics or business decision-making.
*We need to research consultation technologies and processes appropriate to local needs and conditions.

Launch of research programme - Revision history

David Newman: research