White House Launches Open Government Web Initiative

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 22, 2009 - 7:41am.

Washington - Looking for ways to include more citizens in the federal decision-making process, the White House has kicked off a new program that it is calling the Open Government Website Initiative.

Though a newly launched website, officials are hoping to "complement the know-how of government employees with the expertise and intelligence of the American people."

Visitors to the site are being invited to recommend ideas for open government, as well as vote on ideas already suggested.

Then, on June 3, the best of those ideas will be put up for discussion on a blog, and on June 15, the public will be invited to fine tune the ideas through an online collaborative wiki.

"In a sea change from conventional practice, we are not asking for comments on an already-finished set of draft recommendations, but are seeking fresh ideas from you early in the process of creating recommendations," wrote CIO Vivek Kundra and Beth Noveck, the deputy CTO for Open Government, in a White House blog post.

"We will carefully consider your comments, suggestions, and proposals."

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/ikiks

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/05/21/Opening

http://www.whitehouse.gov/open