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"Vidar Ekehaug" [ Profil ] |
| Sujet: |
Summary Week 3
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| Envoyé: |
Jun 4th, 2008 - 23:49:18 |
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![[Icône de fichier attaché]](http://www.takingitglobal.org/images/connections/groups/icons/file.gif)
OECD-CCPS Summary Week 3.doc
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Dear friends,
We have now concluded the e-consultation, and many thanks to everyone that
contributed to this fascinating discussion. Please see below and attached
the summary for the third week of the discussion. A full report on the
consultation will be posted in a few days.
I encourage all of you to keep this group open for new ideas and initiatives
that contribute to more youth involvement in designing and using public
policies and services. We will report back from the OECD conference in
Slovenia in the end of June on how your opinions were received!
Summary - Week 3
1. Do you think governments are good in using technology to make public
information and services available for their citizens?
Most participants agreed that new technologies give governments an
unprecedented opportunity to make information about public policies and
services available for their citizens. Some noted that one-stop websites of
available benefits and services are simple and cost-effective ways for
citizens to access information. In addition, technologies such as text
messaging allow young people to easily submit their views to governments, if
this opportunity exists.
However, participants also noted limitations in the way governments utilize
these new technologies:
Elected officials use technology for their own gain - Many participants
observed that elected officials are more interested in using internet and
cell phone technology as a one-way channel to reach out to new voters and to
campaign for elections, rather than having a dialogue with young people
about policies and services. A participant from Malta also said that
governments are more interested in "[collecting] fines and taxes [than]
informing citizens of what social service schemes might benefit them."
Governments do not sufficiently consider citizens' opinions - Although some
governments have started to open up new communication channels with young
people, participants called for more accountability and transparency in how
their suggestions and opinions are acted upon. In addition, government
websites are sometimes outdated and the response to requests is slow or
lacking. Finally, a Nigerian participant stated: "Government depends on just
giving the people a vague overview of what is going on without bothering to
know their thoughts and feelings on the matter. They do this through the
mass media and believe it is enough, but as we all know, it is not."
2. How can governments use technology to have a closer dialogue with young
people about public policies and services?
Participants were mostly optimistic about having a closer dialogue with
governments, and expressed that as a very first step governments should
facilitate young people's access to internet and other communication
technologies. Furthermore, young people had the following suggestions:
Use relevant media and channels to reach young people - Participants were
clear that governments need to be up to date on what forums young people are
using and have access to, such as YouTube and Facebook. Governments should
use these websites to create spaces that allow for free and safe expression
of opinions and ideas. As a participant from Cameroon said: "We cannot
forget youth's problem in the country if this interactivity exist."
Involve young people in planning and implementation - Young people
understand and communicate with young people. Governments should involve
young people in developing strategies for dialogues between governments and
citizens. Participants noted that young people will be more efficient in
activities such as script-writing for communication initiatives and
facilitation of debates with governments.
Governments must engage in the dialogue - Participants felt strongly that
governments need to show that they are taking young people seriously.
Governments cannot just ask for young people's opinions and then leave the
dialogue. An active dialogue where governments respond to questions and
ideas will increase the engagement among youth. Some participants are wary
of what they see as tokenistic initiatives. "The government should show that
the activity is not just a pro-forma strategy in involving the youth in
decision-making," a participant from Philippines noted.
Governments should facilitate dialogue among young people - Governments
should also support and facilitate initiatives that prepare young people for
participation in the public dialogue. National youth platforms were
mentioned as effective spaces for young people to discuss important issues
and present a stronger youth voice to their governments.
Finally, a quote from a Nigerian participant might serve as an important
reminder for all of us as we conclude the discussion: "Man is the epicentre
of development. Any development for man that is not man-centred, is not
development at all."
All the best,
Vidar
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