The World e-Democracy Forum, created in 2000 by André Santini, French Minister of State for Civil Service and Mayor of the City of Issy-les-Moulineaux, aims to support dialogue among public decision-makers, researchers, academics, economic actors and NGOs on technological developments and their effects on democratic development each year. The Forum brings together hundreds of speakers, exhibitors and participants from Europe, Africa, North and Latin America and Asia.

The Forum encourages debate among participants in order to reflect on the consequences of new information technologies and communication in the daily life of citizens, as well as the evolution of their relationships with elected members, public utilities and the media. The high rate of participation of high-level speakers from abroad emphasizes the key role  that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) plays in a modern society.

The 10th World e-Democracy Forum will be held in Issy/Paris on October 8-9, 2009.

Since 2005, the World e-Democracy Forum also features the e-Democracy Awards, partnering with the American portal, PoliticsOnline.com, the European Politech Institute and the French “club de l’Hyper Republique.” The e-Democracy Awards emphasize and recognize those who contribute to the modernization of public utilities and democratic practices with Information and Communication Technologies.

e-Democracy Awardees of 2008 included: Ted Nelson, inventor of the concept of Hypertext; the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC); the Interior Minister of Korea; the University of Pennsylvania; Andrew Rasiej, founder of Personal Democracy Forum and the Basque Parliament.

E-voting Initiatives

Switzerland
On February 8, 2009, Geneva citizens voted with a 70.2% majority in favor of modifying their Constitution to allow for Internet voting, making Geneva the second Swiss canton to establish a permanent legal basis for Internet voting. Robert Hensler, Chancellor of the Geneva Government, said the result showed popular support for e-voting; which will be introduced in 2010 as an option in addition to the existing methods of voting at the polling station or by post mail.

Estonia
Estonian Parliament approved a measure allowing citizens to vote by mobile phone in the next parliamentary elections in 2011, making Estonia the first country to allow voting by mobile phone. The mobile-voting system, which has already been tested, requires voters obtain free, authorized chips for their phones. Eesti Mobiil Telefon (EMT) is the only operator currently providing the special SIM cards which contain digital certificates for voting authentication to customers. Other mobile operators are working on their own programs according to Priit Vinkel, who works as an adviser for the Estonian National Electoral committee.

New Zealand
Most New Zealanders are unlikely to be able to vote online in general elections until 2023 under a proposal being considered by Justice Minister Annette King. The Chief Electoral Office drafted a long-term strategy for e-voting that favors trials of phone and Internet voting in three elections starting in 2014, before a decision is made on whether to extend such options to all voters. Under its proposal, blind and disabled voters would be invited to vote by Internet and phone in the 2014 election. Additional persons who qualify for special and advanced voting, such as New Zealanders living overseas, would join the trial in 2017.

Contact:
Eric Legale, directeur d’Issy Média
Tel : +33 (0)1-41-23-82-68
Eric.LEGALE@ville-issy.fr