Gov 2.0 – Status quo
At the end of 2010, the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) published a Government 2.0 Primer for Australian Government agencies. The Primer showcases ideas and practical advice on how and when agencies can use Government 2.0 tools to engage with the public and publish more data online.
Earlier this year, Part Two of the Freedom of Information Act launched the Information Publication Scheme (IPS), which commenced on 1 May 2011. The IPS expects government agencies to make information public or to publish details of how the information could be found online. With these reforms the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner hopes to push the government towards proactively publishing the information they have.
The recent Federal Budget announced increased support of Gov 2.0 initiatives significantly strengthening the commitment to Open Government and citizen collaboration and keeping Australia at the forefront of e-Government.
Recently, AGIMO released new documents documenting the widespread use of Twitter, Facebook, blogging and RSS feeds with Federal Government agencies:
Close to 100 agencies, ranging from major departments such as Defence and Health and Ageing to smaller agencies, now have official Twitter accounts. Almost 50 Federal agencies now have Facebook pages – some in the form of official pages for an agency and others in the form of specific public campaigns.
Agencies such as the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Department of Finance and Deregulation and the national library of Australia also make widespread use of blogging. Some 364 news feeds via RSS and 133 Web 2.0-related initiatives were currently being run by agencies including creation of information portals and tools, campaigns, and data warehouses.
Visit the Government 2.0 Register for a current overview of the Australian Government's use of social media.
Learn about last year's Gov 2.0 Conference here: Gov 2.0 2010
Gov 2.0 – Conference Topics
Building a business case for Gov 2.0: evaluating risks and benefits
Various government agencies need to assess the viability and suitability of any web 2.0 tools for their organisation before implementing strategies. They need to be able to evaluate the risks and benefits associated with it and develop an internal business case.
Raising awareness and inspiring change
One of the barriers to the implementation of any web 2.0 strategies in the government is leadership. Therefore, the goals have to drive culture change, educate and influence decision makers to embrace Gov 2.0 strategies. There is still a lack of understanding the importance and benefits that web 2.0 technology offers and the way these tools can be used for an open and transparent government.
Implementing and monitoring social media tools in government
Effectively implementing social media into a government agency is still a challenge.
Who is going to look after it? Who has the necessary skills to do it? How can it be monitored? Social media is a two-way communication, and governments are looking for interaction and community involvement. However, they cannot control what is being said and people need to have the skills to be able to manage and monitor this.
Managing content and service delivery
This theme looks at the current issue of accessibility of web 2.0 technology and the challenges related to service delivery. After the launch of the IPS more information needs to be published online by the government, and it has to be accessible to anyone.
Improving information sharing and internal communications
Gov 2.0 aims to increase internal communication for business improvement as well to drive external collaboration and engagement. In order to do so, government agencies have to make information public and understand the risks and benefits associated to it.
A look into Gov 3.0
What is next? What can be done to drive the Gov 2.0 agenda? What new technologies can be exploited by the government for better online services and community engagement? Are we moving towards a Gov 3.0 reality?
