CITIDEP

RegioNet Project Proposal

Participatory Democracy Models in Administrative Regions, and Information Technologies for Public Information

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Coordination Objectives Methodology Work Done Team Funding

Coordination

^{Project Manager: Nuno Vieira, Lic. (ncv@fc.ul.pt);}

^{Science Coordinator: J.M. Palma, Ph.D. (palma@mail.telepac.pt)}

Objectives

1996-1998

^{The main research question is the role that new information technologies may have in public participation / consultation processes for the implementation of administrative regions in Portugal.}

^{In order to evaluate that role we intend to:}

^{* Analyze the impact of the usage of new information technologies in the participation of the public in information/ public consultation/ opinion gathering processes;}

^{* Create and implement an Internet-based Interactive Information System in order to sustain the public debate on the creation of administrative regions (which and how) in Portugal;}

^{* Test the utility of participation and opinion debate models;}

^{* Deepen the reflection on the concept of participatory democracy, through the evaluation of new information and opinion debate channels;}

^{* Prepare the basis for a new and broader research project, on the comparative study of region models in several European Union countries.}

Methodology:

^{- Literature survey on the subject;}

^{- Content analysis and creation of the question-lists (FAQ model);}

^{- Conception, design and implementation on the Internet of an interactive model made of sequential parts, capable of integrating and forwarding several consultation options and a set of questions and answers, to facilitate the access to information on the regionalization proposals put forward by the political parties;}

^{- Measurement of attitudes and opinions;}

^{- Continuous and systematic evaluation of both the process and the model.}

Work Done:

^{- Literature survey on the subject;}

^{- Systematization of basic concepts related to the subject;}

^{- Survey of background in the process of region policy and implementation in Portugal, after the 25th April 1974;}

^{- Content analysis on proposed legislation and political debate;}

^{- Debate on regional policy with CITIDEP members and invited guests;}

^{- Identification of the issues of the regionalization process;}

^{- Presentation of the project on the Internet.}

Team:

^{Dr. Nuno Vieira, Lic. (Biology), Project Manager; Prof. José Manuel Palma, Ph.D. (Psychology), Science Coordinator; Prof. Rui Ponte, Ph.D. (Earth Sciences), Science Adviser; Prof. Viriato Soromenho Marques, Ph.D. (Philosophy), Science Adviser; Prof. Manuel Antunes, MPhil (Sociology), Science Adviser; Eng. Ana Teresa Chinita, MSc (Environment); Dr. Filomena Henriques, Lic. (Social Service); Dr. Sofia Santos, Lic. (Psychology); Eng. Jorge Mendonça (Mechanical Eng.); Pedro Borges (Electronics Eng., student); Pedro Santos (Environmental Eng., student).}

^{Dr. Simona Florio, MPhil (Economy, European Property Development and Planning): Leonardo da Vinci's grantee, from the University College of London.}

Funding

^{European Community Program Leonardo da Vinci (one individual Grant); requested to the Portuguese Parliament, and proposals considered to other research programs (Portugal, EU).}

Other CITIDEP Projects: Intelligent Multimedia System | Expo 98 | IT for Grassroots | Public Access to Environmental Info | ICPPIT99

citidep@netcabo.pt

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