Summer Policy Series -- The Future of the Web and Civic Engagement: What Happens When MySpace Meets Our Space?
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The Future of the Web and Civic Engagement: What Happens When MySpace Meets Our Space?
Tuesday August, 22, 7:30 a.m.
The Forum at Minnesota Public Radio
Technology is rapidly moving civic engagement from place-based to every place as users develop virtual communities on issues around the world. What is the connection between the new online social interaction applications and the broader civic space they will inhabit? Are we creating virtual communities to impact global issues at the expense of our local communities? How will these technologies transform civic engagement as we know it – and new generations of civic leaders? How should they transform the Citizens League!?
With: Tom Swain and Jean LeVander King (long-standing civic leaders), Jen Alstad (president, b-swing), Steve Borsch (CEO, Marketing Directions, Inc.), and Garrick Van Burren (president, Working Pathways, Inc.).
Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
Background Materials
"Remixing Citizenship: Democracy and Young People's Use of the Internet" by Stephen Coleman with Chris Rowe, Carnegie Young People Initiative (PDF)
Pew Internet & American Life Project (HTML)
Wikipedia's definition of social software (HTML)
"Social Media and the Networked Public Sphere", an article on social media and civic participation with posted comments. (HTML)
MobileActive.org: Cell Phones for Civic Engagement (HTML)
E-Democracy: Start an Issues Forum, a guide to hosting effective online citizen forums. (HTML)
Suggested Books:
We the Media: Grassroots Journalism by the People, for the People. Dan Gillmor’s story on how media control is shifting to citizens
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised: Democracy, the Internet, and the Overthrow of Everything. Joe Trippi’s story of how the Howard Dean campaign effectively harnessed the internet
We do not want there to be barriers to participation. So for those who are interested in a scholarship opportunity--whether receiving or giving--please contact our office.
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