Public Services Lab Blog

Out of the loop

Laura Bunt - 09.07.2009

If people remain marginalised from online conversations and forums, they remain as excluded from the decisions that affect their lives as ever before.

I went along to Reboot Britain on Monday to hear about how new technology, the web and our newly networked world can re-power public services and generate social change. The day generated lots of interest, evidenced by the lively stream of content on the blogs, in the news and via the twitter feed. 

In relation to public services, a few key themes stood out. Firstly, the need to design technology around people rather than imposing technical solutions on problems.

Though the majority of the speakers and participants were well versed in technicalities, the emphasis was firmly on the web as a tool to facilitate people's interaction rather than as the silver bullet that will solve all social challenges.

Secondly, connecting with local communities. Whether through community websites which support active citizenship, developing models for micro-financing or opening up local government to the ideas of their constituents, connecting with local innovation capacity was a common priority.

This resonates across many public services; the need to find local solutions to issues and to help more people deliver them. 

Finally, the need to address the digital divide. A people focused, hyper-local web is a powerful tool but only if it reaches across all socio-economic groups. The point, power and potential of web-based platforms should be their capacity to bring in those traditionally on the outside, the hard-to-reach, and to reflect their interests.

If they remain marginalised from online conversations and forums they remain as excluded from the decisions that affect their lives as ever before. There was certainly consensus on this issue on Monday, but people powered technology will need to be adept at dealing with these challenges. The conversation has really started now. It's time to open it up.