Is the relationship mutually reinforcing or antithetical? How is new technology shaping democratic participation and/or how is democratic participation shaping technology? What examples can we bring to bear? Where is our current knowledge limited? What do we need to know to make better judgements?

Speakers include

Tiago Peixoto, Governance Specialist at the Digital Engagement Unit of the World Bank. Well known for his online activity promoting participatory democracy.

Catherine Howe, Chief Exec of Public-i

Maria Nyberg, Head of Open Policy Making at the Cabinet Office.

Graham Smith, Professor of Politics at Westminster University

Simon Burall, Director of Involve will chair the discussion

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The relationship between new technologies and democratic participation is potentially profound. But given the pace of change, our understanding of their interaction is limited. As is often the case with highly disruptive technologies many of the future visions are either highly utopian or horribly dystopian.

This highly interactive workshop aims to provoke a much more pragmatic discussion between policy makers, practitioners and academics about the ongoing relationship between technology and democratic participation. Is the relationship mutually reinforcing or antithetical? How is new technology shaping democratic participation? What examples can we bring to bear? Where is our current knowledge limited? What do we need to know to make better judgements?

We are delighted therefore that our discussions will be kicked off with a presentation by Tiago Peixoto, an open government specialist at the ICT4Gov program of the World Bank. Tiago has worked as a practitioner and researcher on ICT and participatory governance for over 10 years and is known to many through his online activity promoting participatory democracy.

As you might expect from an Involve event, there will be plenty of opportunities for discussion, questions and networking.

Two experienced UK practitioners, Catherine Howe, Chief Exec of Public-i and Maria Nyberg, Head of Open Policy Making at the Cabinet Office will provide responses to Tiago and the discussion as it emerges during the workshop.