23.11.2006
Gov2Demoss was presented at the Fifth Good Practice Framework workshop on Good Practices in eParticipation

The Fifth Good Practice Framework workshop on Good Practices in eParticipation took place on 23rd November 2006 at the European Commission in Brussels. The workshop provided the opportunity to present a number of high profile cases in the field and to discuss eParticipation issues with an array of European experts. The scope and functionality of Gov2DemOSS was presented by Ms Evika Karamagioli, who also highlighted several real cases of implementation of the platform in different countries.

The agenda featured three sections (eParliament, Local and Regional Decision making, eLegislation) and included the following presentations:

• The Good Practice Framework and its Functionalities
• eParticipation in the GPF
• The EC eParticipation Initiative
• Presentation of the Scottish Parliament e-petitioner case
• Presentation of Pan European Integrated Parliamentary Portal (Romania)
• Presentation of the IRIS case (Spain)
• Presentation of the Gov2DemOSS case (Greece)
• Presentation of the e-Government Assessment, Measuring and
• Evaluation case (Hungary)

09.11.2006
Gov2Demoss platform has been awarded the eGov Good Practice Label

We are proud to announce that our Gov2Demoss platform has been awarded the eGov Good Practice Label.
This labeling was initiated by the European Commission, DG Information Society and Media, and is part of the Good Practice Framework that the latter has initiated in order to support the creation of comprehensive eGovernment services across all levels of the Union, catalogue good practice in eGovernment and to stimulate the sharing of this information.
The Good Practice Framework is being developed with the support of the Modinis Programme of the European Commission and contributes to the i2010 Information Society initiative.
The main objectives of the Framework are:

• to collect examples of well-defined eGovernment cases
• to make the examples available for those involved in eGovernment by means of an intelligent knowledge database
• to offer expert know-how on general or special eGovernment features and provide easy access to existing communities or expertise centres
• to support the sustainable transfer of good practices and learning experiences in an easy and helpful way.

For more information please visit the website http://www.egov-goodpractice.org/

31.10.2006
Gov2u organised a workshop during the INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM

Gov2u organised a workshop during the INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM on the theme of “security” and specifically on the use of ICT as tools for strengthening the relationship between citizen and Government, and promoting Governmental efficiency and transparency.
The workshop panelists included:

• Vasilis Koulolias, Executive Director, Gov2u
• Marinos Papadopoulos, Attorney, J.D., M.Sc.
• Nikos Chouliaras, eGov Lab, University of Athens
• Dr. Eleni Varvarousi, Political Scientist
• Epameinondas Stylopoulos, Trainee Lawyer, LL. M. European Law Students' Association (ELSA - London Branch)

The workshop presentations were followed by a highly interactive discussion with the audience. The main conclusion reached was that ICTs offer an effective governance tool for creating transparency, downsizing operations, reducing governmental corruption and strengthening the citizen-government interface. However, the importance of ensuring integration with traditional ‘offline’ tools providing access to information, consultation and public participation in policy-making, so as to reap the greatest benefit from ICT was also recognized.
Engaging citizens online raises legitimate expectations that the public input will be used to inform policymaking. Governments and/or representatives from local authorities and the public sector need to adapt their structures and processes to ensure that the results of online consultations are analyzed, disseminated and used. Additionally, the active promotion of online consultation through traditional mediums is essential (i.e. through leaflets, stickers, banners, etc.) to draw the attention of a wider and more representative audience to the existence of such services.

19.10.2006
Gov2u created an online platform for the World eGov Forum Central e-Gov Agencies International Meeting

Gov2u official partner in the WorldeGovFroum at the request of the Forum organizers, created an online platform to facilitate debates and information sharing dedicated to e-Gov Representatives from National Agencies, Institutions or International Organizations. A principal objective was to encourage mutual understanding and cooperation in the field of eGovernment by mapping the situation worldwide through the use of the online tool as a yearly exercise so as to gauge the evolution of eGovernment in various countries. The platform allowed restricted users from participating states to reflect on the issues raised at the forum and to engage in a dialogue on the challenges that they face in the field of eGovernment in their countries. The platform also contained a Peer Monitoring Questionnaire which was jointly created and drafted by

• Vasilis Koulolias and Evika Karamagioli of Gov2u,
• Mr. Frank Layman of the Federal ICT Public Service (Belgium),
• Mr Hannes Astok of the Estonian Egov-Academy (eGov Coordination and Change Management for the Estonian Government) and Unitar (UN Agency for Training and ICT Development).

The results of the questionnaire were analyzed and presented during the World eGov Forum.

27.09.2006
Gov2u is hosting workshop during the INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM in Athens.

We are very happy to announce that Gov2u will host a workshop during the INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM in Athens. The workshop which will be held in parallel to the General Sessions of the Forum will be entitled ICT: tool for transparency and will focus on the theme of “openness”, and specifically on the use of ICT as a tool for strengthening the relationship between citizen and Government and promoting Governmental transparency. ICTs offer an effective governance tool for creating transparency, downsizing operations, reducing governmental corruption and strengthening the citizen-government interface.

Workshop participants will be drawn from various stakeholder groups for a a highly interactive session. Keynote presentations will be followed by dialogue on the topic. Direct feedback from the issues discussed at the World eGov Forum will be presented during the workshop.

For more information please send an email at info@gov2u.org

21.09.2006
eRepresentative Project Management Meeting

The meeting of the eRepresentative project leaders was hosted by Gov2u in Athens in September with the participation of representatives from all the partner organizations. During the meeting, participants discussed organizational issues relating to the project as well as the progress of ongoing work.

We would like to warmly thank the EUROPEAN COMMISSION Representation in Greece, especially the Director Mr. I. Papadopoulos, for making the premises of the EU Delegation available to us for hosting the event.

13.09.2006
Gov2u is proud to announce that it has been short-listed as a nominee in the Top 20 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics.

The poll has been organized by the World eGov Forum and PoliticsOnline. For the seventh year in a row, PoliticsOnline subscribers and visitors from around the world are invited to help select the top 10 individuals, organizations and companies having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics. This prestigious award seeks to recognize the innovators and pioneers, the dreamers and doers who bring democracy online.

01.09.2006
Gov2u will collaborate with SCYTL on the “e-Consensus” project

The Consensus Consortium - formed by Localret, Jaume Bofill Foundation and the Catalan Institute of Technology - has awarded Scytl a contract to develop the third version of its e-participation platform “e-Consensus” which is currently used by over 25 cities across Catalonia. SCYTL will collaborate with GOV2U for creation of the new version of “e-Consensus”. The eParticipation platform will be based on Gov2DemoSS and will provide local administrations with a variety of flexible and secure tools to interact with their citizens.

20.08.2006
Gov2u member of the Anna Lindh Foundation Greek Network

We are very happy to announce that we have been accepted in the Greek Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation for the dialogue between cultures.The Anna Lindh Foundation is the first common institution jointly established and financed by all 35 members of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. The Foundation promotes a dynamic concept of dialogue between cultures through co-operation between civil society partners in education, culture, science and communication, strengthens intellectual co-operation and capacity-building in fields such as human rights, democratic citizenship, sustainable development, learning, knowledge and information society, gender and youth, contributes to shaping the Euro-Mediterranean space as an area of co-operation, exchange, mobility, mutual understanding and peace.

10.08.2006
Gov2u will collaborate with SCYTL in the development of an eParticipation platform in the city of Amposta

The City of Amposta (Spain) has awarded a contract to Scytl to develop a highly secure e-participation platform. Scytl will collaborate with Gov2U for the customization of the e-participation tool Gov2DemOSS for the project and will integrate its secure e-voting platform Pnyx.government™ to deliver a secure, usable and flexible platform. This platform will allow the City of Amposta to create digital communities and interact with its citizens in decision-making processes.

01.07.2006
Gov2u participates in United Nations conference in South Africa

Gov2u was invited to address the "The Legislative XML - Parliamentary Workshop" a conference organized by the United Nations in Cape Town (South Africa) which took place over 27 to 30 June. The conference was attended by parliamentary officials from 11 African countries, including Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
The objective of the conference was to promote the use of information technologies in the African parliaments. The Gov2u presentation, which included a tour of our innovative eParticipation platform Gov2DemOSS, generated a great deal of interest among participants.

28.05.2006
Gov2u: Partner of the World eGov Forum 2006

Two key European eGovernment annual events, the Worldwide Forum on eDemocracy and the European Forum for Electronic Administration, will this year jointly host a single event: the World eGov Forum in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France. Gov2u will participate as a partner in the realization of the event.

ICT in the public sector; public eServices; and the place of the citizen in online participatory democracy are some indicative subjects that will be discussed during the 3 days of the forum. The event will feature four plenary sessions, entitled: eAdministration, a worldwide priority; digital identity: a reality for citizens; eAdministration for the benefit of citizens; and new relationships between politics, citizens and the media.
South Korea is the guest of honour at the 2006 Global eDemocracy Forum. With 90% of its households connected to a high flow Internet, South Korea is a leader in eServices and eDemocracy.

25.05.2006
Gov2u participated in the International Research Workshop on Understanding eParticipation in DGO 2006

The goal of the workshop was to identify and understand the barriers facing the eParticipation research community in its efforts to advance research in the area and to share its results globally the Executive Director of Gov2u presented a research paper entitled Practical Solutions for Empowering eParticipation.

10.04.2006
Upper-Kirby district: the first implementation of the Gov2DemOSS platform

Upper-Kirby is a vibrant residential and commercial destination in the heart of Houston's inner city, where neighborhoods and businesses work together to enhance their quality of life.

25.03.2006
Gov2u collaboration agreement with Insure Democracy

On March 2006, in Texas, Gov2u agreed with Insure Democracy for them to be the authorized distributor for the GOV2DEMOSS platform. Insure Democracy is a marketing firm specializing in online deliberation and e-government software platforms .

18.03.2006
Gov2u workshop in the 2nd National Conference with International Participation "Electronic Democracy - Challenges of the digital era"

In conjunction with the 2nd National Conference with International Participation "Electronic Democracy--Challenges of the digital era", Gov2u organized a workshop entitled "Information and communication technologies(ICT) and citizens participation in decision making processes". The Conference was coorganized by The Scientific Council for Information Society and The Athens Bar Association and took place at the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry on March 16-17, 2006.

The Workshop was coordinated by Vasilis Koulolias, President Gov2u. During the workshop key issues on citizens participation in the decision making process via the use of information and communication technologies were identified. The eRepresentative project was presented by Dr Al. Xenakis. Finally conclusions as to the legal and social issues arising and the challenges on the Information Society as its evolvement in shaping an e-citizen model were drawn and recorded.

Researchers, postgraduate students and professionals from the fields of Law and Information sciences as well as civil society representatives attended this highly interactive workshop

15.03.2006
Gov2u joins CIVICUS

CIVICUS:
World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international alliance of an estimated 1000 members in about 100 countries that has worked for over a decade to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, especially in areas where participatory democracy and citizens' freedom of association are threatened.

15.02.2006
Gov2U entered into UNECE Aarhus Clearinghouse

Gov2u has been entered into the database of the UNECE Aarhus Clearinghouse for Environmental Democracy, an organization that serves to collect, disseminate, and exchange information on laws and practices relevant to the rights of:

• public access to environmental information
• public participation in environmental decision-making
• public access to justice on environmental matters

11.02.2006
e-Representative project launched

The Kick-off meeting of the e-Representative project took place in Barcelona on February 9th-10th, 2006. At the meeting, the consortium members discussed organizational and project management issues.

08.02.2006
Gov2u Collaboration Agreement with SCYTL

On February 8th in Barcelona the CEO of Gov2u met with the Managing Director of SCYTL Secure Electronic Voting, Pere Valles, and agreed for SCYTL to be the authorized distributor for the GOV2DEMOSS platform. SCYTL is a worldwide leader in the development of secure e-voting/e-participation solutions.