In August 2012 Aspen Institute hold a Forum on Communications and Society (FOCAS
to discuss the movement towards open and innovative governance and develop
tangible proposals and recommendations to increase transparency, promote smarter
governance and enhance democracy. Participants included media and technology
experts, government officials, academics, and leading NGO directors. Notably
joining the conversation was President of the Republic of Estonia Toomas
Hendrik Ilves, White House Digital Strategist Macon Phillips, Ushahidi
Executive Director Juliana Rotich and a number of up-and-coming technology
innovators with expertise in designing platforms and applications for open
governance systems.
American democracy is premised on informed
citizens engaging in self-governance. Yet today many citizens are disenchanted with
their governments at all levels and are uninterested in participating. At the same
time, citizens’ use of mobile and digital technologies is creating a
significant communication gap between governments and the governed. And
governments find themselves strapped for cash and unable to respond to these
tensions in constructive ways.
On a more encouraging note, however, there is
now a burgeoning “open governance” movement to use information and
communications technologies to foster accountability, transparency and trust,
to open up traditionally closed systems, and to transform governance.
Collaborative technologies such as social media are now enabling two-way
information channels between citizens and governments, helping to solve
problems at the local, state and national levels. Digital technologies also
have the potential to reduce costs to governments and citizens, and to create
enormous opportunities for more transparent, participatory and responsive
governments.
Some national governments are already embracing
the open governance movement. Estonia, for example, is a leader. The nation has
transitioned beyond 20th century bureaucratic rules and redesigned its
government service systems online. Estonia boasts an electronic identification
system for its population and an e-healthcare system where citizens own their
own data. The nation operates a digital healthcare prescription system, 25
percent of the population voted online in the last elections, and its education
system is anchored online.