ANOTHER group interested in ‘informed democracy’?

Nick Mallory, commenting on PWF article An ‘Inaugural’ Youth Perspective On The Federal Election, has written in saying:

“The Australian Government is considering setting up a ‘consultation blog’ to give the public a chance to have their say on public policy and proposed legislation. If you’d like to help shape this blog then do this quick survey here www.openforum.com.au/Survey. It only takes a couple of minutes and could lead to something that really makes a difference. Thanks.”

Curiosity was a winner…

After doing some digging I found that:

“Open Forum is ‘a non-for-profit proactive and influential network which initiates high-level discussions at the cutting edge of the most pressing commercial, social and global issues of today…

(It is) committed to finding novel solutions and identifying commercial and policy opportunities by leveraging shared interests, access and assets of the network, as well as to facilitating informed democratic process at large.”

Some background info

1. www.openforum.com.au is a division of Sydney-based Global Access Partners (GAP), whose slogan is ‘converting global issues into business opportunities’. They organise high level conferences, seminars, briefings, forums and business missions, both internationally and within Australia.

2. GAP is part of TCG Group of Companies, an Australian-owned group of independent and mutually supportive private companies, whose core business is information technology…they have an ecosystem model which contains Technology companies, reliable Business Processing Outsourcing companies and world class infrastructure.

Some Questions:
1. Are we seeing part of a 21st Century ‘Industrial Revolution’ with an increasing number of groups reaching out to people to participate in policymaking AS WELL AS acting on climate change?

2. IS this societal trend influencing our current crop of pollies?

A SUGGESTION

Open Forum should be investigating Community-Wide Study Circle Programs.