If you want to look at new ways of engaging the public in policy in
general (not just science), then take a look at the UK Local E-Democracy
programme's web site, http://www.edemocracy.gov.uk/
In Ireland (N & S), there is actually a great different in what is
expected by civil servants who run consultations and those who respond.
The civil servants want first of all to gather the views of citizens,
but not to have them too much involved in making decisions. There will
be more on www.e-consultation.org when we finish writing our research
reports.
There are a few exceptions. There is always the possibility of indirect
models. For example, the Taoiseach has set up a task force on Active
Citizenship. He's worried that in the land of the Celtic Tiger Irish
people no longer may show the same solidarity with their families,
communities, churches and so on, and will end up, in Putnam's words,
'Bowling Alone'. The Wheel will be responding on behalf of its voluntary
sector members. They have set up a web site to collect Irish citizens
stories of what it means, personally, to be an active citizen
(http://wheel.e-consultation.org/). They will use these stories as part
of their evidence to the task force.
I've also heard that a joint Oireachtas committee is interested in
running a public consultation on a bill before the draughtsmen start
writing the legislation, so that they can take account of the issues
people think are important.
As for the weather, it is almost up to Nairobi standards in Belfast, but
not as warm as it got in Cork last Tuesday.
--
Dr. David R. Newman, Queen's University Belfast, School of
Management and Economics, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland (UK)
Tel. +44 28 9097 3643 FAX: +44 28 9097 5156
mailto:[log in to unmask]
http://www.qub.ac.uk/mgt/
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