World e-Democracy Forum

Last call for Nominations - Top 10 in Politics & Internet

With your help, PoliticsOnline and the World e-Democracy Forum will select the top 10 individuals, organizations and companies having the greatest impact on the way the Internet is changing politics. Please submit your nominations before July 21! The winners will be invited as honored guests to the World e-Democracy forum October 16-17,2008, in Issy-les-Moulineaux, (Paris, France), where they'll take part in an awards ceremony and other special programs throughout the two-day forum.

Seoul, Hong-Kong and Helsinki Achieve Top Rankings in Municipal e-Governance in International Survey

A global survey of city websites has identified Seoul, South Korea, as the top-ranked city in the performance of municipal e-governance. The research study was conducted jointly by the e-Governance Institute, School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University-Newark, USA and the Global e-Policy e-Government Institute at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Korea.

In China, Hu avoids tricky questions in online chat

In the 1930s, US president Franklin Roosevelt's fireside chats set the political tone of the radio age. In the 1960s, John Kennedy's impassioned speeches thrilled the first television generation. On June 20, the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, made his mark with a four-minute online debut in front of the world's biggest population of internet users.

USA : Newt's Pro-Drilling Petition Fuels Online Flurry on the Right

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's American Solutions Group has created a viral online petition surrounding its pro-drilling campaign that has attracted 1.1 million supporters in only 30 days. According to PoliticsOnline, the right-roots are all abuzz about Newt's success, since it's the first good news as the right has taken a pounding online from Obama and the left.

Obama fights web smears

The Barack Obama web strategy is "a very high priority for this campaign from Day One... He's understood from the very beginning that the Internet makes it easier for everyday people to find ways to support the campaign, to get involved" said Chris Hughes, Obama's tech-savvy Facebook entrepreneur. Because of Internet, Obama won the democratic nomination. But now, he must take care about viral rumors which circulate from e-mails to e-mails. A new specific website was launched and Obama campaign is looking for a network security expert. A first time for an electoral campaign.

UK journalists leading the way with blogs and video, says European study

Journalists in the UK are more likely to be producing video content and blogging as part of their workload than their European counterparts, a new survey has suggested. According to the European Digital Journalism Study, 61 per cent of UK respondents said their publications offered video or TV content as part of their online presence compared with 41 per cent of respondents from other European countries. However, over three quarters of UK respondents said that producing additional multimedia content for the web was the biggest challenge to their jobs.

Korea's new generation of 'Web 2.0' protesters

Angry South Korean teenagers, Internet-savvy and armed with gadget-filled mobile phones, have helped turn the new conservative president's triumph into crisis and possibly changed the way the country does politics. President Lee Myung-bak, hardly in office three months, has been caught badly off-guard by the fury swirling in the world's most wired country, which began with a flurry of gripes about importing "dangerous" U.S. beef and turned into a blizzard of complaints against his brief rule. "Maybe, we have been experimenting with a new type of politics without even knowing it," said sociology professor Chun Sang-chin, of Sogang University.

Rise of the e-petition in UK

Some politicians are plotting an attempt to seize back dominance of the petitioning system in Britain - and hope the internet will prove the means to achieve their goal. At the heart of the issue is a struggle for parliament's ongoing relevance. At present it is Downing Street which has the bragging rights when it comes to petitions; it's no coincidence today's protest by hauliers, angry at the government's 2p fuel duty hike, will be delivering their petition to the prime minister rather than parliament. MPs would much rather they head to the Commons – and steps are in motion to do something about it.

FASTeTEN mid-term workshop — updated agenda announced

The FASTeTEN project has published a revised agenda for its secure infrastructure workshop, which takes place in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, France, on October 15, 2008. FASTeTEN is an eTEN-supported project to pilot the French-developed FAST bundle of services for secure document exchange in different European contexts. FAST stands for Fournisseur d’Accès Sécurisés Transactionnels, or Fully Automated Secured Transactions. FAST has been successfully tested in France, but has the potential to offer considerable benefits to other European public administrations.

Gordon Brown launching online question time

In UK, Gordon Brown is seeking to embrace the digital age by launching an online version of prime minister's questions. He has pledged to respond to video clip questions submitted via the Downing Street YouTube website. The prime minister, who is trying to reconnect with younger voters, said the forum would be a "regular event".

New Zealand: e-Voting pilots for 2014-20

Most New Zealanders are unlikely to be able to vote online in general elections till at least 2023, under a proposal being considered by Justice Minister Annette King.

USA: the 1st campaign of the 21st century

Is Obama "the JFK of the Net?”. Nearly eighteen months after this question raised by PoliticsOnline, the outsider Barack Obama officially won the nomination of the democratic party for the American presidential election of next November 4, after a fight baited against Hillary Clinton. A long electoral campaign which saw the Web fully used like an effective tool with the service of a candidate.

Belgium divided on e-voting question

Whereas the Belgian Parliament must soon deliver an opinion on the proposals of Minister of  Interior Patrick Dewael for an improvement of e-voting by machine (a system of confirmation paper of electronically voted), the Unions of the cities do not have a joint position. Whereas the Flemish union is favorable to the maintenance of e-voting, the Walloon Union has more moderated position.

New test of e-voting in Switzerland

Last June 1, new tests pilot of e-voting were organized during a federal vote in the cantons of Zurich and Neuchâtel. In this last canton, the Swiss people from abroad have, for the first time, been associated with the test. “This first is a great step ahead in the development of e-voting”, said Rudolf Wyder, director of the Organization of Swiss from abroad (OSE). This organization militates since years in favour of the fast introduction of this new possibility which should make it possible “Fifth Switzerland” to increase considerably its weight in the political decisions of the country. Approximately 80% of Swiss recorded on the electoral registers have access to Internet.

 

 

Report on mobile services in the GCD digital cities

During its annual meetingn held in Luxembourg City on May 30, the Steering Committee of Global Cities Dialogue, an international association non-profit making for local elected representatives on Information Society, published a report on mobile services implemented within the network members.

Netherlands says "nee" to electronic voting

The Ministry of the Interior in the Netherlands decided not to adopt electronic voting machines. The decision was made after reviewing extensive research which indicated that none of the available machines offered adequate privacy and security safeguards.

How the internet is challenging Egypt's government

Although the general strikes of April 6 and May 4 drew limited public participation, they have revealed an important new political phenomenon in Egypt: political mobilization by young, second-generation internet users via blogs, YouTube, and Facebook. After two years of intensive government efforts to outmaneuver the opposition, this mobilization caught the regime flat-footed. It highlighted the possible role of interactive non-traditional media in bringing about political change in Egypt, just as the government's heavy-handed response to the strikes revealed its failure to find new forms of political control aside from the usual repression by the security apparatus (Read on the Libanese newspaper, The Daily Star).

New Brunswick to use provincewide electronic vote tabulation

In Canada, voters in New Brunswick could know the results of municipal elections on May 12 within an hour of the polls closing. The province will become the first in Canada to use electronic tabulation machines to count ballots for every community.

ICELE makes nine recommendations for local petitioning

The Governance of Britain Green Paper (July 2007), said that petitions can provide an important way for communities to express their views and generate local debate, boosting the relationship between residents and councils. It also announced the government's intention to consult on people's right to 'call for action' and the strengthened role of councillors in that process.

Zimbabwe Elections 2008 on Global Voices

On March 29, 2008 Zimbabweans cast their votes in the parliamentary and presidential elections. Days later, the official result has still not been declared. MDF opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, has claimed victory over Simba Makoni and the incumbent president Robert Mugabe of Zanu (PF), but power may not change hands without conflict.

Next eDemocracy Forum: October 16-17

The Worldwide Forum on e-Democracy and e-Government will be held in Issy-les-Moulineaux (Paris, France) on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 October 2008. Europe and the challenges of e-Governement 2.0 will be the main topic. Debates deal with European issues due to the imminent French presidency of the European Union and Franco-German due to the Franco-German ICT year.

EU: eGovernment “Vision” study launched

The European Commission launches a “Vision” study focusing on the future of public eService delivery. The main objective of this “Vision” study is to explicitly look at transformational government beyond the 2010 time horizon of the current eGovernment Action Plan.

Latvia: new interinstitutional eServices to boost eGovernment

Latvian Minister for eGovernment Affairs, Ina Gudele, has announced plans to introduce at least 25 new ‘interinstitutional’ eServices by June this year.

The new eServices have been in the planning stage for two years now. The main challenge faced by the Secretariat for eGovernment Affairs in preparing these services has been the lack of compatibility between the different IT platforms used by state institutions. However, these compatibility issues have now been overcome.

Traditional Journalism "Out of Touch"?

Two thirds of Americans - 67% - believe traditional journalism is out of touch with what Americans want from their news, a new We Media/Zogby Interactive poll shows. The survey also found that while most Americans (70%) think journalism is important to the quality of life in their communities, two thirds (64%) are dissatisfied with the quality of journalism in their communities. Meanwhile, the online survey documented the shift away from traditional sources of news, such as newspapers and TV, to the Internet - most dramatically among so-called digital natives - people under 30 years old.

The e-Petition system in Bristol City

Bristol City Council and Public-i Group Ltd, with support from Napier University, have launched a new open source e-Petitioning tool specifically designed for Local Government. The new service, which went live in January 2008, has already had over 8000 signatures and 5 new petitions.

Ordering administrative documents with your identity card

Many Belgian towns have been trying out the IRISbox counter, an online counter. Thanks to identity cards all Belgians can get administrative  documents at any time at home and also pay online.

3 year prison sentence for a false Facebook profile

At Morocco, a young engineer has been sentenced to three years of prison for having create a false Facebook account in the name of one of the brothers of the king Mohammed VI. There are lots of false profiles on the social networking websites  but this is the first time that a user has been condemned for “ identity appropriation”

New online voting trials in Neuchâtel

During the federal elections on 24 February 2008, 1516 electors voted online in the Neuchâtel canton. This sixth attempt at using the electronic voting system at Neuchâtel for the federal elections went off without a hitch. 4355 electors living in the Neuchâtel canton, let us say 8,596 % of the electors had the option of choosing between the traditional voting system ( casting their votes in a ballot box or by post) and the electronic voting system. The overall participation rose to 47,52% and 2,98% that is to say 1516 electors voted on the net. The system of e-voting worked perfectly during the four weeks of trial. According to a press release of the federal chancellery at

Berne

,“ All the expectations of the confederation were considered.”

WiBro Blankets Seoul With High-Speed Internet

Koreans have very high expectations on the quality and the speed of telecommunication systems, whether they are mobile phones or broadband Internet lines or a mobile TV. And that standard is being raised even higher this year with the introduction of Mobile WiMax (WiBro) network in major cities this year.

Transformational Government and Shared Services in Europe

The sixth edition of the European Review of Political Technologies, entitled "Transformational Government and Shared Services in Europe", will be officially presented during an Expert Roundtable, which will take place on Friday 29 February in London.  This Volume is published by Politech Institute, in partnership with Oracle Corporation and with the support of the International eParticipation and Local Democracy Symposium 2008.

Obama, The Web Candidate

The Senator Obama seems to be the most popular candidate of American internet users, in any case of all those who are actively involved in the election campaign. Not a single week goes by without the creation of a new website or blog supporting him and influencing public opinion or one of his videos  breaking YouTube spectator records. All the candidates have made extensive use of Internet to collect funds for  upcoming events. According to a study of Pew Research Centre, almost 25% of Americans go online to follow the presidential campaign, specially young voters who have been very active this year.

Young Americans: it's your turn!

Behind the popularity of the democratic candidate Barack Obama, whose candidacy is broadly supported by the young Americans, it is the unsurpassed mobilization of the less than 30 years old that marks the primary campaign. According to the results of CNN's exit polls and tabulations from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (Circle), young voters turned out in record numbers in more than 20 states. In practically every state holding a primary or caucus Tuesday, youth turnout increased astronomically, doubling, tripling and even quadrupling the turnout in the 2000 and 2004 electoral seasons.

Minister for Communities and Local Government to speak at International e-Participation Symposium in London

On February 28, the Minister for Communities and Local Government in the UK, the Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, will address the Opening Plenary at the International eParticipation and Local Democracy Symposium – Empowering Citizens through Technology and Participation in London. Citizen Engagement is a key priority for the UK Government, as demonstrated by the launch of the Communities and Local Government’s (CLG) ‘Action Plan for Community Empowerment’. The Rt Hon Hazel Blears will set out the Government’s position and expand upon the Action Plan at the Symposium in February.

Americans Democrates hold 1st Online Primary

For the first time, expatriate Democrats can cast their ballots on the Internet in a presidential primary for people living outside the United States. From February 5th to the 12th, an official arm of the Democratic Party called "Democrats Abroad", will host the very first global primary completely online.

France is a key country for open source

While more than 10.000 visitors attend in the "Linux Solutions 2008" in Paris, a study of "Pierre Audoin Consultants" reveals that the Open Source French market is the one who generates most incomes in Europe. A market in progress of 66 % in 2007, mainly thanks to the public sector.

15 Things You can do to support your candidate

All candidates to the American primaries use Internet to mobilize their supporters. If you want to become a perfect supporter, you have to respect about fifteen actions. Mike Hackabee, the former Governor of Arkansas and republican candidate, give you some ideas in his website.

All candidates to the American primaries use Internet to mobilize their supporters. If you want to become a perfect supporter, you have to respect about fifteen actions. Mike Hackabee, the former Governor of Arkansas and republican candidate, give you some ideas in his website.

eConsultation on ePetition in UK

In London, a Procedure Committee’s eConsultation on e-petitions has been asked by the House of Commons to propose an e-petitions system with the following key elements: Members should be engaged with e-petitions as they are with written petitions; e-petitions should be open for the addition of e-signatures for a certain period before formal presentation; once presented they should have the same status as written petitions.

Can we think global e-democracy?

The last UN Survey on e-Government in the World notes that only three countries (on the 192 members states) are still not online (Central African Republic, Somalia and Zambia). But it underlines especially the huge divide which separates Northern and Southern countries. For example, the total internet bandwidth in Africa is equal to that of the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.

Europe leads e-Government in the world

The United Nations Survey 2008 on e-Government in the world, which "has great potential for public sector transformation" according to Guido Bertucci, Director of the Division for Public Administration and Development Management of the DESA (Department of Economic and Social Affairs), ranked the threee Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark and Norway) in the three leading countries, surpassing the United States. In this year's global e-Government readiness rankings, the European countries made up 70 % of the top 35 countries while the Asian countries made up 20 % of the top 35.

UN e-Government Survey 2008: UK experienced the biggest drop!

The Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations (DESA) published its survey 2008 about e-Government in the world. Entitled "From e-Government to Connected Governance", the survey measures also an e-Participation index. USA, Republic of Korea, Denmark, France and Australia are in Top 5 Countries.

e-Government plan to fight corruption?

Iraq announced plans on January 3 to post details of government contracts and spending on the Internet in a bid to fight corruption that has undermined peace efforts, hit state coffers and hurt government credibility. By publishing the details of public spending -- such as project tenders and procurement -- on the Internet, Iraq's government hopes to increase transparency and reduce the risk that funds could be misused.

The Facebook Imposter

Last week, the French media were enraptured by the announcement that a French citizen had been elected as President of Facebook. It’s a four month term during which the president can send messages to about millions internet users, members of this online community about the importance of saving our planet. It was a hoax which completely fooled the journalists of the national media. 

Is Obama's victory linked to the web?

The victory of Senator Obama in Iowa caucus, last January 3, is it also the result of an actively net-campaign? In an article on "Movement candidates and the digital world ", the portal PoliticsOnline writes that Team Obama has created a campaign with more than 400K online contributors, hundreds of thousands of social networking “friends”, and millions of people tuning into online videos.  This community with roots in the online world and results in the real world may be the beginning of a new era in American politics.  Youth vote in Iowa tripled ans accredit this idea.

A new President for Korea

Mr LEE Myung-bak won the presidential election, on December 19, in South Korea. As expected, this election saw the largest margin of victory between the president-elect and the runner-up amid the lowest voter turnout.

Dead calm on the Korean net-campaign front

On 19th December , the South Koreans will elect their President from amongst approximately 12 candidates.  In spite of the efforts of the most frequently visited internet portals, created to attract internet users to the electoral campaign, such as Naver and Daum, it has hardly evoked any interest, contrary to what happened five years earlier.

Wireless network spreads at Issy

At Issy-les-Moulineaux wireless network connection is available at two frequently visited areas of the city; the city centre and Val de Seine, the business area. The service provider for the city centre is Orange and for Val de Seine, Neuf Cegetel. The expansion of this network makes it possible for users having laptops or a bimodal portable telephone (GSM and Wi-Fi) to connect to a high speed Internet connection and look up their mails at any time from terraces, public benches, bus stations. This initiative shows that the city of Issy is all for extending the wireless network connection as far as possible without drawing on the tax payer’s resources and encouraging healthy competition.

Taking concrete action to bridge the digital divide

Report of the round table organized within the framework of the World eDemocracy Forum, October 3^rd, 2007: after a global introduction by David FAYON, presenting the digital gap (more than 80% of the population isn’t connected to the Internet), the contrasts between the populations (rural / urban, socioprofessional categories, age, country) and the challenges of its decrease - notably for the economic growth and the well-being of citizens - Marie-Christine SERVANT introduced the public institution Caisse des Dépôts and its activities in the digital development.

7% of the British population have signed e-petitions

More than three million people have now signed e-petitions, one year after its launch on the Downing Street's website. But specialists are not convinced by its infuence on political decisions.

The Internet's Influence on Politics

An interesting article about the "huge role in elections" that Internet and technology could play in the US Presidential election. What will technology affect concretly?

ICELE announces International Awards

The International Centre of Excellence for Local eDemocracy, ICELE, announces the launch of International Awards at the World eDemocracy Forum, on October 4th. The awards, which will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at the forthcoming International eParticipation and Local Democracy Symposium in February 2008, will recognise politicians and organisations who have "made a tangible difference" by engaging online.

Geneva bets on quantum cryptography

In Switzerland, Geneva will accomplish a worldwide First one, on the occasion of next Federal elections, on October 21st. The district will reassure, in effect, by quantum cryptography the line linking up Uni Mail in its datacentre. This inviolable date codification was developed by the University of Geneva and carried at the industrial stadium by its id Quantum spin-off.

e-Democracy Awards 2007

The 8th World e-Democracy Forum awarded its 2007 Awards rewarding the most remarkable initiatives which, in France, in Europe and all around the world, contribute to advance concretely projects of e-democracy and electronic administration. It is in this spirit that were handed, last October 3rd, World e-Democracy Forum’s Awards 2007. Basque Parliament, Australian Council of Trade Unions, Dutsh e-Citizen Charter and French Segolene Royal's website won an award.

eDemocracy Forum... in video

Latin America: study on Internet impact

In 2006, ten presidential elections were held in Latinamerica. The political portal e-lecciones.net is researching the uses of the web, as sources of political communication, as well as political organization during this campains.

Switzerland: conclusive tests of e-voting

New tests of e-voting led by the districts of Neuchâtel and Zurich as part of the popular voting of June 17th, 2007 took place without problem.

London Goes Wireless

Today, Europe’s most advanced outdoor Wi-Fi network will be switched on across the entire City of London — the famous Square Mile. More than 350,000 people who work in and visit the area now have wireless broadband access throughout the city. The network, built and operated by The Cloud, will have free access for the first month, provided in association with Nokia, enabling anyone with a Wi-Fi-enabled device to get online in the city for broadband internet access on the move.

Portugal: eTax boom

Over the past four years, the number of electronic tax declarations in Portugal has risen from 306 000 to 1.57 million. The 1.57 million figure represents an increase of 38.63 % in comparison with the previous year. From 306 000 in 2003, the number of on-line declarations rose to 441 000 in 2004 and some 782 000 in 2005. Further increases are expected, as the number of tax categories for which on-line services are available is being expanded and the deadline for submissions is being extended to 25 May.

Citizen Journalism: From Pamphlet to Blog

Cambridge Community Television hosted a 3-month documentary production course that resulted in this short documentary on Citizen Journalism. The 15-minute documentary Citizen Journalism: From Pamphlet to Blog is a guide to US citizen journalism through the ages - from Thomas Paine in the 18th century to the more modern hows and whys of being an anti-establishment news hound.

Europe invests in the technological protection of the private life

The day before the Day of Europe, May 9^th 2007, Brussels detailed the actions which it intends to carry out to improve the level of protection of the private life by technologies. The European Commission indicated to want to count the present needs, to define the design features of the adapted tools and to continue the financing of research.

Internet, winner of the French presidential election?

Never before, Internet has been so active in an European election campaign. Online videos, reactive blogs, participative debates, satirical or idolized websites, virtual world and viral rumours, Internet became the stage of a new kind of presidential campaign. However, is this e-democracy that we were waiting for since the creation of the World e-Democracy Forum, in 2000?

“France to be turned into a great digital nation”

In this vein, Nicolas Sarkozy concluded his vision of a “France at the digital age” in a statement published in the “Journal du Net”. Even if the election campaign didn’t focus on digital issues, the projects’ main lines of the new French President in this field are now well-known.

DirectgovKids: aims to tell children about Government & public services

  Children will be able to find out about Government, public services and the world around them in a fresh, fun and informative way through a new website, DirectgovKids, launched last March.

UK : e-voting system to be tested again

The UK will hold electronic voting pilots in 13 local authorities during the May 2007 elections. Electoral pilot schemes at the May 2007 local elections in England will continue the programme of electoral modernisation that was started in 2000.

Finnish are searching to vote in an easier way

Finnish citizens renewed, on March 18, two hundred members of its Parliament, called Eduskunta, for a new legislature of 4 years. As the Parliament celebrates his centenary this year, Finnish are adopting a new approach in order to vote.

Launch of e-Brazil Portal

The e-Brazil portal, which is available in English and Portuguese, brings together information and discussions related to the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) for making Brazil equitable and more competitive.

Switzerland: success of an e-voting pilote in Neuchâtel

During the Swiss federal popular voting of March 11th, 1.538 polls were issued by Internet in the district of Neuchâtel. This fourth pilot of e-voting system in this district during a federal popular voting took place without any difficulty, according to Swiss authorities.

Estonia becomes first country for implementing e-Voting

For the first time in a parliamentary election anywhere in the world, most people have been able to vote online. Some 30,000 out of 940,000 eligible voters chose this option, though e-ballots had to be cast at least three days ahead of the election day of March 4. Take-up for the electronic vote option was higher than expected, "definitely a good result," Epp Maaten of the national election commission said.

Belgian eID Cards for Reporting Crimes - Online

Belgian citizens can now use their eID cards to report crimes from an electronic terminal, directly over the Internet, to the federal police.

Chile surpasses one million broadband connections

Sponsored by tech company Cisco, the Latin America Broadband Barometer reported in January that Chile ended 2006 with 1,034,000 broadband internet connections, nearly 6.8 dedicated connections per every 100 Chileans and far above the regional average. The southern cone country now boasts both the highest rates of broadband connectivity and general internet use in Latin America.

Italian politics takes to YouTube

An Italian minister has decided that every week he is going to post a video to YouTube describing and explaining the decisions taken in cabinet. Following on from Hillary Clinton’s internet video declaration, it suggests politicians are getting the message that the web offers a new way in which to reach voters.

No call tender without electronic in Burgundy (France)

Martine Vandelle, vice-President of the Regional council of Burgundy (France) in charge of public contracts said that Burgundy economized, in two years, more than 3,7 million of ordinaries paper, " 1 hectare of forest ", thanks to electronic tendering service.

Is Obama the ‘JFK of the Net’?

Senator Obama is not only be one of the first black candidates. He is also the first US presidential contender young enough to have ‘come of age’ in the world of the Internet. Is he the going to be the ‘JFK of the Net’ ?

10th Politics Online Annual Report on the Best of Internet and Politics

"This is our 10th Annual Year in Review" and "we have very proud of what we have been able to accomplish all these years" said Phil Noble, founder of PoliticsOnline. 2006 will be remembered as the year that social networking or Web 2.0 first have a big impact in American politics.

"To recycle to help" in Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)

To preserve environment and fight against digital divide thanks to good citizenship, these are the two principal axes of the "To recycle to help" initiative, which has been held in Issy-les-Moulineaux (Paris, France) since autumn 2006.

Spain’s Basque Country Achieves Its Broadband Dreams

Thanks to the Basque Government’s policy that wanted to expose the Basque Society to the digital era, almost all its over 2.1 million residents will have access to basic broadband connectivity by the end of this year. By then, the second and the final phase of the two-year long project, called Konekta Zaitez@Banda Zabala (or KZ@Banda Zabala), will have extended broadband infrastructure throughout the Basque region covering 7254 square kilometres.

$100 laptop project launches 2007

The first batch of computers built for the One Laptop Per Child project could reach users by July this year.

France wants to be a leader of Open Source Software

Open Source Software’s industry will probably have its competitiveness cluster in Paris aera in 2007. It is what French OSS actors wish. Vocation of this cluster will be to federate actors of Open Source Software, to promote emergence of an industrial channel, in narrow contact with Higher Education and Research, and to strengthen development and open source software distribution.

e-Democracy Awards in Issy

World e-Gov forum which was held in Issy Moulineaux from 18 till 20 October awarded its 2006 trophies rewarding the most remarkable initiatives which, in France, in Europe and all around the world, contribute to advance concretely projects of e-democracy and electronic administration. It is in this spirit that were handed, last October 20th, World e-Gov forum’s Trophies 2006.

"We can’t make politics as in the Eighties"

During the session on "Reinventing Democracy in the Information Society", last October 20, André Santini, MP and Mayor of Issy-les-Moulineaux, exposed his vision of the democracy evolution while answering questions of Daniel Van Lerberghe, President of European Politech Institute.

There are 3 major technological trends that are of fundamental importance to tomorrow’s connected world

   There are 3 major technological trends that are of fundamental importance to tomorrow’s connected world

Sopra Identity System (SIDES) : solution for bio-metric passeport

Sopra Group has designed and deployed for one of the principal French fiduciary printers, a data processing solution for the secured personalization of travel documents, or MRTD. This is called SIDES, Sopra Identity System, built around ".Net" of Microsoft technology. An up to date technological tool, it is ready for immediate use. Thanks to SIDES, the first bio metric (chip) passports have been ordered by numerous Foreign Affairs ministries around the world.

More than 2/3 of administrations will have a decision support solution to pilot and monitor their performance by 2008

The application of the French finance law (LOLF) effective since January 1st, 2006 is a real catalyst for French administrations and public sector organisations to set up solutions improving decision support and monitoring. Moreover, the law creates a culture of managing levels of performance being established inside public organisations with goals such as transparency in management, resources optimisation, reduction in expenses and improvement of service to citizen. Modernisation audits requested by the ministry of budget and state reform, whose fifth cycle will begin in October 2006, contribute in setting up systems which improve quality, efficacy of public services while reducing expenses.

US orders its electronic passport

Gemalto announced on August 4 that the United States of America Government Printing Office(GPO) placed its first order with the company, following Gemalto’s electronic passport technology qualification completion.

European Ministers involved to reduce the digital divide

e-Inclusion will be an important topic during the World eGov Forum 2006, with a plenary session and two round tables. Recently, e-Inclusion has been the priority of an european ministerial declaration. Ministers from 34 europeans countries adopted, last June 12 in Riga (Latvia), a pan-European drive to use information and communication technologies to help people to overcome economic, social, educational, territorial or disability-related disadvantages.

French Data Protection Authority (CNIL) draws up an inventory on e-voting