Angela Glover Blackwell spoke about new and vital participation that is happening in civic processes.
On participation:
- what are the terms and boundaries of participation (how is participation managed, how is it open?)
- Can participants define the extent of their participation? What defines the extent of opportunities for participation?
- Who participates, who doesn't
- what is the difference between meaningful and meaningless participation?
- what policies are in place or proposed for inclusivity and full and representative participation?
some point she made:
digital divide -- 50% addresss=half empty
current need is for information dessemination and low cost broadband for npos
"solve a problem for the most needy, it solves it for everyone." She agave a good example of how when pushing a stroller or riding a bike, we benefit from the curb ramps that were built for people with disabilities.
Comments
Policy Link and Web 2.0
One very important point from Angela's talk concerns the mission of her organization Policy Link. The mission encourages citizens to participate in All govermental policy making decisions. A direct link to this point, among many is the current move from congress to literally put the controls of the Internet into the hands of the market. This means companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon would be able to dictate how the web is used, when and by whom. (See Alternet at: http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/35557/).
If you haven't done so, I seriously suggest visiting Policy Link at: http://www.policylink.org/default.html.
Gotta run and get back to supporting folks live at Net2.
Peace,
Fresh!