Firstly, it is worth starting by reviewing what has been recently happening in the area of E-Policy or more particularly Gov 2.0 initiatives. 2009 witnessed a surge of interest by some governments in using and adopting Web 2.0 approaches to policy and programme development.
In December last year, the Australian Government released a widely welcomed report Engage – Getting on with Government 2.0. This is a very comprehensive review of Gov 2.0 not only in Australia by internationally. It makes quite a compelling case for governments generally to open up the process of policy making to include not only experts from within its own ranks, but from outside. Such approaches (and arguments) have implications for improved policy making and governance at international as well as national level.
Beth Simone Noveck, one of the leading USA officials in the area of Web 2.0 approaches to government, echoes similar views in her recent book Wiki Government – How technology can make governments better, democracy stronger, and citizens more powerful. The book blends a practical how-to approach to Web 2.0 policy making with an understanding of the wider cultural and political changes of mindset needed (within government) to deliver these benefits.
Another leading USA Gov 2.0 observer, Andrea DiMaio in her end of year blog A Year in Review: Top Ten for Government 2.0 in 2009 identifies some of the other key Gov 2.0 developments which will help shape the future of online collaborative policy research in 2010 and beyond.
Garry Cronan
