Briefs

California to Launch Digital Democracy Effort to Improve Public Engagement

 

LOS ANGELES — Gov. Gavin Newsom Feb. 23 announced California’s upcoming launch of a program that will bring Californians together to engage, interact, and share ideas to help shape government services and collectively create policy solutions. Engaged California is a program to support community conversations about important topics using digital platforms. With this new initiative, the state will better ensure decisions are centered on the people’s voices. As part of California’s all-in response to the firestorm, this pilot program is being launched now for survivors and the greater Los Angeles community. 

With Engaged California, the state will better empower Californians to have honest, respectful discussions on important topics to help create more responsive and people-driven policies and programs. The program is modeled after successful digital democracy efforts in Taiwan, which used digital tools to help increase consensus-building and build governance powered by the people.

The foundation of the program will encourage participation from Californians across all walks of life to interact with each other to find common ground and help set priorities for state government action. The program will help people to directly voice their concerns and ideas, and improve policymakers’ and administrators’ efforts to listen to Californians outside of election cycles and to be more responsive to their concerns.

“Fire survivors are looking for answers, and California is gearing up to meet them where they are,” said Government Operations Secretary Amy Tong. “We have to think differently to bring us closer to those we serve, especially those whose voices we may be missing through traditional channels.”

Engaged California is different from a poll or town hall, and is not designed to mimic social media. The platform is the intersection between technology, democracy, and state government. The end goal is to encourage more discussions as a new way to find common ground, a process known internationally as deliberative democracy.

The launch of Engaged California will initially focus on the response to the Los Angeles firestorms, bringing together community members to help influence response efforts and better address issues based on community experiences and voices. 


The Government Operations Agency, the California Office of Data and Innovation or ODI, in partnership with Carnegie California, the West Coast office and program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, are leading the development of this program and its supporting deliberative engagement tools. The state is also partnering with the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and community organizations to help ensure the program is accessible for community members who may be harder to reach.

Other program design partners and advisors for this initiative include scholars and leaders from: The American Public Trust, the Berggruen Institute, Stanford University’s Deliberative Democracy Lab, UC Berkeley, Harvard University’s Center for Internet and Society, the San Francisco Foundation, Project Liberty Institute and the Kapor Center.
Details: https://engaged.ca.gov

Reporters Desk

Recent Posts

Port of Long Beach CEO to Chart New Course at Year’s End

It was during his time on the Harbor Commission that he proposed the Green Port…

5 hours ago

Transforming Immigrant Affairs: Solis Champions a Creative Vision

Embedding this role is critical toward a more responsive, inclusive government that centers the lived…

5 hours ago

California Just Slashed Its Cannabis Tax to Save Its Dying Industry

California’s cannabis industry employs hundreds of thousands and generates millions in revenue, but sales and…

7 hours ago

Arts United San Pedro Awards $45,000 in Community Arts Grants to Fuel Local Creativity

Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, the funded proposals include visual arts, performances, public…

8 hours ago

Thoughts, Prayers, and the Moral Failure of Those Who Worship Hate

Thoughts and prayers that these traitors to democracy, the flag, and the true meaning of…

8 hours ago

Port of Los Angeles Issues Request for Proposal for Pre-development of Potential New Terminal

  LOS ANGELES — The Port of Los Angeles is seeking proposals from interested parties…

8 hours ago