| abstract
| - Question for discussion From a citizens' perspective what is the one thing most obviously missing from this network? (Talking here about a network which involves government - national and / or local, public sector, and intermediate agencies) (Answer: citizen to citizen connector (or conversations). Government may communicate reasonably well with some audiences - the unbroken line, but less well with others - the broken line. The focus in the past may have been on doing something about the broken line and not realising the potential from citizen to citizen links - "Citizens being responsible to each other", Steven Clift ). 1.
* Networks can be used not just for communication but also collaboration. So a network which involves government but also includes citizen to citizen links opens up the possibility of collaboration between any of the parties, and specifically collaboration between citizens, or at least collaboration involving and more inclusive of citizens. Collaborating via what might be called an open design process, should include each of the following four aspects: terms of reference, design, agenda, evaluation - or the 'how did we do' question. All should be open to all of the interested parties. There needs to be fewer and fewer 'no-go' areas for citizens, for example is it really sustainable to suggest citizens can't cope with strategic issues? 2.
* Resources questions are bound to come up. Isn't it inconsistent to imply there's lots of good stuff going on for example via social networking and then maintain its got nothing to do with the balance of government funds? Won't citizens inevitably want greater influence on 'their' resources - for example 'their' data' and via participatory budgeting 3.
* The POI review made recommendations, such as not duplicating what already exists, which seem particularly relevant here. Shouldn't these be recommendations also to local government and the establishment 3rd sector? 4.
* Citizens contribution is part of the 'collective memory'. Aren't there considerable risks if this valuable collective memory is entrusted to the private sector? (Example given concerning Local Agenda 21 programme)
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![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)