Online Dialogue on Using Technology to Promote Transparency

There has been an expanding and increasingly global movement of technology and digital media projects aimed at promoting government transparency, accountability, and public participation in political processes.  In Kenya, Mzalendo seeks to make information more accessible from the proceedings of the country’s parliament. In Jordan, Ishki aims to involve citizens in developing solutions to civic problems. Vota Inteligente in Chile promotes government transparency by informing Chilean citizens about corruption and policy debates through the use of social media.  The Technology for Transparency Network, a project of Rising Voices, is documenting these transparency projects to gain a better understanding of their current impact, obstacles, and future potential.

In this dialogue, we will explore ongoing and current questions around the use of technology for transparency.  

• How does the use of technology to promote transparency differ across regions, cultures, and types of governance?
• What skills and expertise are missing from the current technology for transparency projects?  
• On a technical level, how do projects share their code with other projects to reduce barriers of replication?  
• What types of relationships have they formed with media, government, and civil society organisations to increase their impact?  
• How can citizens utilise a regime change (Tunisia, Egypt, etc) to put these kinds of transparency tools into place?
• How can we ensure the security of practitioners using technology to promote transparency? 

This online dialogue is an opportunity to share these case studies and tools with the New Tactics online community, learn from the experiences of practitioners implementing these projects, and discuss new ideas, challenges, risks and opportunities.  Join us on-line September 21 to share your stories, ideas and resources!