Information Renaissance

HOT TOPICS

Major focus areas for Information Renaissance:

eRulemaking Initative: Rulemaking is the process by which federal agencies produce the rules that implement new laws. The U.S. government is moving forward with a major initiative to develop electronic rulemaking dockets for for all agencies. This initiative will embody features sought by Information Renaissance and other individuals and organizations who have recognized the potential of online rulemaking to transform the nature of public participation in this vital process.
The first stage of this work is visible at the eRulemaking Web site www.regulations.gov. You can use this site to find rules that are open for public comment and to submit simple comments on those rules.
With funding from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Information Renaissance is monitoring the progress of the eRulemaking Initiative and working to facilitate public involvement in the newly-developed system. In July, 2004 there was a call for comment on the system; this is our response. For background on these activities, see our publications in the Administrative Law Review and the Government Information Quarterly.
Capacity Building: The Internet has created an enormous potential for groups of people to access information and services - and to become providers of information and services themselves. If organizations can develop the capacity to operate these services, they can run them at very low cost. Information Renaissance has been committed to this fundamental democratizing principle since its creation. Our projects have helped organizations developed networks employing the latest technologies, have helped them to set up and operate servers that provide information over this network infrastructure, and organized online events to reach large new audiences and augment the public role in the development of government policy. Examples of this work include our Smart Building and Wireless Neighborhoods projects.
Online Dialogues: Information Renaissance has pioneered online techniques to facilitate dialogue among large audiences. Significant examples dealt with California's Master Plan for Education and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Public Involvement Policy.

Rev. Dec 24 2018