Information Renaissance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1996. Our goal is to promote the use of the Internet to support the public interest, enabling citizens to participate more fully in the democratic process by improving access and fostering meaningful, inter-active exchanges between an informed public and their government. To support this goal we also seek to provide appropriate and sustainable technology for underserved communities nationwide.

Activities

• Online Dialogues: interactive discussions related to public policy issues.
• Rulemaking: encouraging citizens throughout the country to learn about and comment on national legislation or public policy during the rulemaking process.
• Neighborhood Networks: neighborhood level public networking infrastructure, including the planning and deployment of fiber, wired and wireless technologies. We work at the boundaries between technology, community organizing and law, acting as intermediaries to promote civic access and engagement.

Online Dialogues

Information Renaissance works with sponsoring organizations to design and produce online dialogues that expand public knowledge and encourage discussion of issues with significant potential for social benefit and change. Our moderated discussion model goes beyond e-mail and online opinion surveys: we provide background information, enlist expert panelists, actively recruit participants including those who are hard to reach, and provide support to sponsors, panelists and users. In the design phase we work with the sponsoring organization to frame the issues to be covered, define the agendas for each day of the discussion, involve the stakeholders in these issues and coordinate the format with the objectives for the Dialogue.

Rulemaking

Rulemaking is the process national regulatory agencies use to translate Congressional enactments into law-a process called "central to the definition and implementation of public policy in the United States." Notice and comment rulemaking invites participation. However, it has been difficult for those outside Washington DC to follow the development of rules. This disconnects individuals from government, and deprives decision-makers of the full benefit of the experience and knowledge of the American people. Using the Internet can improve access and interaction: our goal is e-government that enhances transparency and participation and increases public understanding of how government functions.

Neighborhood Networks

Information Renaissance is committed to community networking and experienced in the design, development and management of community networking projects. We work to encourage the deployment of networking infrastructure to enable access to advanced telecommunications services, and develop programs to encourage the use of these services. Projects have ranged from the use of high-bandwidth telecommunications in a "Smart Building" to the use of such infrastructure for social purposes including an After School Program to teach students, parents and other residents to use the Internet; "HealthNet"- extending health care services in communities via local site access points; and a Digital Resume Project to help youth find employment, using a Web site with streaming audio and video.