Europe has celebrated 50 years of peace and political progression, but the next 50 will see massive changes in the relationship between the electorate and politicians thanks to technology.
That was the message from the Microsoft Government Leader’s Forum 2007 at the Scottish Parliament.
The delegates from more than 40 countries heard from a number of experts, speaking about the role technology had played in transforming countries and how citizens engage with their democracies.
Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha told how technology “allowed the country to catch up after all the years lost during the communist regime”.
Mr Berisha added:
“Albania has faced many challenges different from the other EU nations
“Half of our population is under 25 and we have had to work out how to bring Albania to their age – to make it as vibrant as they are.
“In our transformation, creating a strong information society has been a fundamental condition for the success of our reforms. Bringing Albania to IT is a crucial point in boosting transparency and cutting corruption. It will strengthen democracy
“To help this aim we are looking at having broadband in every home and school in this government and affordable computers for every child.
“Technology is the way forward for Albania. It will not only allow us to make up for the lost time, the lost years under the communist regime, it will also allow us to reach new horizons.”
And Commissioner for Regional Policy, European Commission Danuta Hübner warned European politicians must not rest on their laurels.
She said: “We have had 50 years of unprecedented peace but this is not a time to be complacent.
“Connecting with our citizens means more than trying to improve things. Citizens want to be more engaged politically, they want to feel ownership of the policies.
“Information and Communications Technology has already triggered a social revolution in generating change and European politicians must take this into account with the realisation that the individuals are not only citizens but the creators of the content that all can see.”
President of Iceland H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson pointed out that the future would be exciting because it is unknown where democracy and ICT is taking the elected and the electorate.
He said: “I don’t know what is coming. We can speculate, but we do not know for sure where e-democracy will take us.
“History shows us that democracy has gone on a constant form of evolution. Democracy was different 100 years ago and the democracy of now is not the final product.
“The influence of the net is of great importance. Creating policies, gaining support – these things can all be done immediately.
“Unrestricted and open access to these channels of information for all people regardless of age, domicile, sex or class. And it must stay that way. We must not allow the digital era to become the domain of any one group.
“Access to the internet must be done in all our countries to preserve the right of democracy for all. Never before have individuals had opportunities like this. The old barriers have been mostly abolished.
“When the internet is universally available and the technology is even more reliable it will be more easy to detect voting on issues.
“There are many including myself who have the vision and the hope that the 21st century could finally become an era of flourishing democracy strengthened by international movements of freedom and human rights.
“But, above all, by the fundamental revolution in information technology which now is empowering individuals all over the globe in completely new ways.
“Political institutions are now rivalled by forces which are firmly rooted in globalisation and new technologies.
“But let us also acknowledge that through globalisation, democratic ideas have been spread throughout the world, and without globalisation, the democratic trend in the beginning of the 21st century would indeed be much weaker. New organisations dedicated to various issues have emerged and they are here in the democratic dialogue and the decision-making process is likely to grow.
“But if these new organisations are indeed to strengthen democracy in the long ruin they must be given better access to the main institutions of authority, the ministries, the national assembles, the local authorities.
“It is my firm belief that grassroots movements and dissident activities of many kinds have indeed become democracy’s main sign of life and renewal. So relations with such movements by the established political authorities must not be neglected. On the contrary, it should be encouraged in all possible ways. The influence of the internet on the potential for individuals and groups to voice their opinion is ever of great importance.
“We are now witnessing not only a new wave of democracy but also the emergence of an economic system where small players can exercise a very effective power, especially in the areas dominated by the technology of the information revolution, inviting individuals and small societies to flourish as never before.
“And those who realise early on that the 21st century could probably become their renaissance era for democratic and technologically advanced small States will, I believe, gain a competitive advantage in the global market in the years to come.“
The Slovenian Minister for Public Administration Dr. Gregor Virant told delegates of the successes his country has had moving towards more open e-governing, helping businesses to start up, improving the car registration system and submit ideas to remove red tape from their system.
He said: “The aim is to enhance satisfaction and ensure greater openness. In particular we are proud of our anti- bureaucratic filter which sifts out bureaucratic obstacles.
“We believe data should move around government institutions, not people. We believe we should be using technology to do what we can to simplify and improve the lives of citizens.”
Finnish MP Hanna-Leena Hemming told delegates the Finnish Parliament was well at the forefront of e-engagement with the electorate.
She said: “I spend three hours a day replying to emails – I receive over 70 a day – and while Finns may be thought of as uncommunicative, it is not the case with modern technology.
“I know of Finns who are dealing with 200 emails a day and teens sending 90 SMS messages a day.
“But with all these messages that are being sent, there is the question of what we debate with them. I receive a lot of mails on things like do I prefer long boots or short boots, how many children do I have and so on – and I am not going to give them that discussion.
“It is up to us to decide what sort of discussion we give them.
“We also have to watch out for overamplification of those who already have a voice and remember those who are not able to take part in the debate, for example those who are already overworked and don’t have time to take part in society.”
Vice Mayor, Lyon, France Jean-Michel Daclin warned: “We must all evolve and be there for every citizen.”
Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer George Reid MSP added: “Where the people get involved with e-democracy they want to see results. It’s about getting the results.”
And Peter Kellner, Chairman of YouGov added at the end of the day: “Traditional democracy is seen as being sticky in that it can be very slow moving, politicians go through deliberations in evidence and go slow to get it right.
“However internet democracy is very fast, it is more fluid, but the danger is that in the rush it loses some of the careful deliberation.
“We have to see if there is something inbetween.”
Proceedings from the Forum are being web cast live on www.holyrood.tv.
Background
The Microsoft Government Leaders Forum is one of Microsoft’s flagship events for government, parliamentarians, education and business leaders across the continent. It is being supported by a partnership of the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive. This is the first time such a prestigious event has come to the United Kingdom and, particularly, in the live context of a working legislature such as the Scottish Parliament. The forum continues for the rest of Tuesday, 30 January and tomorrow, Wednesday 31 January.
For more information on the Scottish Parliament:
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk and www.scottish.parliament.uk/edemocracy
For further information, the Scottish Parliament media contact is: Sally Coyne: 0131 348 6265 RNID Typetalk calls welcome ~ email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk
For further information on the Microsoft Government Leaders’ Forum, the media contact is: Laura Tallett: 020 7344 1545 email:Laura.Tallett@edelman.com
For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate) Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
