The First Online Global Experiment on the Environment and Sustainable Development

1. "eVoting and eParticipation: Effective use of ICT in modern Democracies"Two Bold New Experiments in e-DemocracyEU Information Society Directorate GeneralFebruary 12, 2004

3. The First Online Global Experiment on the Environment and Sustainable Development

4. Key Facts • Internet/Online • Sample Size: 25,164 • 35 questions in four issue areas • 175 Countries Represented • 12 Global Regions • Dates: Aug.19 - Sept.13, 2002

5. Not a Poll • We don’t claim it to be scientific measure of global public opinion - we fully understand limitations • Not scientific but ‘indicative” • Was roughly reflective of Internet population by country and global regions and consistent with other traditional polls • Objective not gauge opinion but to engage people in ‘dialogue’ with decision makers

6. Global Media Partners

7. Key Findings • A surprisingly strong consensus of opinion around the globe • Overall, people are very dissatisfied with the state of the world and the environment in particular • Have little confidence in either national governments or international organizations to solve the most pressing problems • See the answers coming from people themselves and how we live our lives on a daily basis • Willing to pay a significant personal financial price for a cleaner environment

8. Lessons Learned From Global Poll • Was first experiment in global e-democracy and the process ‘worked’ • Very popular with the people world over and the media • Politicians very supportive - • Mandela – “This Online Global Poll is a breakthrough in beginning to measure and understand this global opinion about important issues. The world is indeed changing, and this bold idea will be an important part of this new world.” • Blair – “The digital age will give birth to new forms of democracy and this Online Global Poll is an important step in this new process.” • Digital Divide is real - this poll highlights the challenges we face.

9. http://evote.eu2003.gr

10. What is e-Vote ? • Bold new experiment to bring e-democracy to the EU at a historic time of the EU expansion. • People could ‘vote’, share and compare their ideas and opinions, and make suggestions about the EU and the future. • Responses from interested citizens was incorporated directly into the daily activities of the Greek Presidency. • e-Vote gave people a new active voice in the public policy process. http://evote.eu2003.gr

11. EU Issues e-Votes • Each e-Vote on substantive issues with 12-20 policy questions • The Future of Europe • The Role of the EU in the World • Environment and Sustainable Development • EU Immigration Policy http://evote.eu2003.gr

12. Special e-Votes and Events • EU Special Summit on the Iraq Crisis ‘instant interactivity’ vote up in 24 hrs. • EU – US Relations • Drug Policy • European Convention http://evote.eu2003.gr

13. E-Voices • Opportunity for people’s own ideas, comments, suggestions, etc. • Over 50,000 e-Voices • ‘Ask the PM’ for Summit • Content analysis for most frequent topics • e-Voters vote on questions to PMs http://evote.eu2003.gr

14. New Interactivity • e-Voters compare their votes to others in real time • Papandreou and others highlighted & distributed e-Vote results at meetings • Papandreou personal email to e-Voters on their input at meetings • Periodic e-Vote Reports http://evote.eu2003.gr

15. e-Vote Results • Launched on 10 Feb. in 11 languages, 8 more added on April 16th. • 550,000 unique visitors • 175,000+ have cast their votes • 65,000+ e-Voices, people own ideas • Unique interaction among people and political leaders http://evote.eu2003.gr

16. What country are e-Voters from…. % of voters http://evote.eu2003.gr

17. According to e-Voters, EU would be more effective with an elected President % of positive e-votes http://evote.eu2003.gr

18. In every EU country except Sweden, e-Voters have more confidence in the EU to ‘make the right decision’ than they do in their own country. % of positive e-votes http://evote.eu2003.gr

19. The trust level among e-voters for the principal institutions of the EU is generally positive, but there are some variations. % e-votes http://evote.eu2003.gr

20. e-Voters overwhelmingly believe that countries should be able to leave the EU ... http://evote.eu2003.gr

21. ...but almost no one would vote for their country to leave. http://evote.eu2003.gr

22. Lessons Learned forFuture EU Presidencies • Full transparency important – complete results available • Real ‘hunger’ to participate in the process • Important for continuity of activities to build the community and ‘process’ i.e. media partners, consistent technology, email list, etc. • Need for continual expansion with new features and interactivity • Unique opportunity to directly connect citizens with the politicians

23. e-Democracy and the Future • These were among the largest, and most comprehensive e-democracy project • Need to constantly search for new ways to use digital opportunities to strengthen and expand democracy & participation globally • Access2democracy inspired from eVote-eVoice initiative

24. access2democracy objectives • Experiment with, and promote the use of IT in engaging the public in policy deliberation • Deepen and broaden democracy by using IT to involve citizens in decision forming processes at local, national, regional and international levels • Make the strengthening of democracy a core principle of the information society

25. Current Initiatives • Voice of Cyprus: Let’s Talk Project • Sponsored by UNDP • In conjunction with 3 other NGOs • Online 25th of February • PASOK eDialogue • Citizens express views on current policy proposals • 1st day online 1100+ participants

26. Thank Youaap@econ.uoa.gr