Armenian Online FORUM www'forum'am

1
Armenian Online FORUMwww.forum.am

• e-democracy and participation

E-governance agenda setting workshop Strasbourg,
10 11 June 2002
2
e-democracy Armenian context
ICT is a powerful tool in the arsenal of
democracy. However, transition countries lack the
infrastructure, resources and expertise to
benefit from it. Armenia has declared ICT a
national priority. Democratic reform could and
should benefit from the application of
technology, BUT
3
e-democracy Armenian context

• Broad access is restricted by underdeveloped
  infrastructure, sporadic approach and telecom
  monopoly
• Executive training is not institutionalised in
  the national system for ICT education
• Achievements of national ICT industry are not
  converted into benefits for the people

4
UNDP e-democracy programme
5
UNDP e-democracy programme
6
www.forum.am
7
www.forum.am
8
www.forum.am

• Virtual fora cannot replace live meetings, but
  there are benefits to online discussion
• no space and time restrictions, dialogue
  adapted to the schedules of participants
• all opinions expressed are archived and stored,
  building up the institutional memory of the group
• debate is more considered and thorough

9
www.forum.am

• Threefold mission of Armenian FORUM
• make public opinion strong, targeted and
  result-oriented
• promote equal and unconditional participation
• help people interact and communicate
• N.B. takes right people in the right place at
  the right time

10
www.forum.am
Two examples from online groups 1. Environment
group critical mass of people who are -
motivated, - knowledgeable, -
technologically competent
11
www.forum.am
12
www.forum.am

• 2. Political parties group
• relatively weak and not so active because
• - political parties do not have a distinct
  and coherent agenda to share
• culture of constructive public debate is
  underdeveloped
• political life takes place behind the scenes
  rather than on stage

13
www.forum.am
14
www.forum.am

• Ultimate success depends on factors both within
  and outside the UNDPs reach
• quality and timeliness of support,
• careful, long-term planning,
• changes in the culture of expression and
  interaction in society
• changes in the way civil society and government
  treat each other
• public demand for effective tools to facilitate
  participation

15
www.forum.am
Fledgling democracy is not necessarily anchored
by technical means. However, the transition can
be smoother and faster if society understands and
can afford benefits of ICT.
Armenian FORUM is a tool to make democracy work
16
things to do

• - public access country-wide
• technology support for broad and equal
  participation
• ICT education
• local e-governance system

17
Everyone has the right to have an
e-mail Armenian Freenet Daemon 1296