Electronic networks are considered potentially important technological tools for involving citizens in the political arena. Many initiatives embracing this objective have been undertaken across Europe and North America; just as many predictions - positive and negative - have been made on the net effect of this labor. Some of these initiatives have been subject to empirical investigation; some have been supported through forms of action and participatory research. Whatever the source of data, evidence is accumulating, and a tentative assessment of the value of electronic networks for democratic life is now possible.

Two Euricom Colloquia have been held on electronic networks. In September 2001, Euricom (European Institute for Communication and Culture) hosted the first event. The central objective was to provide opportunity for theoretically grounded empirical studies to be presented by academics active in this area. Contributions examined aspects of community networks, digital cities, and other virtual arenas employed for supporting politically-based information, debate and action. Two theme issues of scholarly journals have been published with a selection of the papers from this Colloquium. The abstracts of these articles can be found elsewhere on this site.

The second Euricom Colloquium on this topic took place 9-12 October 2002 in Nijmegen. The programme for this event is located at the main Euricom Project site for Electronic Networks and Democracy. A preliminary workshop took place in Amsterdam on October 8, 2002. Based on this colloquium, a number of publications have appeared or are in the process of preparation. A special issue of the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication devoted to work presented at the colloquium has recently been released. Further special issues will appear in the European Journal of Communication Research, Javnost, and the Electronic Journal of Communication.

A preconference entitled "Electronic Networks and Democracy: Setting the Research Agenda" will take place on Friday, May 23, 2003 prior to the annual meeting of the International Communication Association in San Diego, California. Papers presented at the preconference will be posted to this web site.

Future plans include an edited anthology. Several international cooperative research initiatives are also being considered by participants at the Colloquium in Nijmegen.

Project coordinator

Nicholas W. Jankowski, University of Nijmegen
N.Jankowski@maw.kun.nl

Steering Committee

Teresa Harrison, University at Albany, SUNY, New York
Ann Macintosh, International Teledemocracy Centre, Napier University, Edinburgh
Slavko Splichal, University of Ljubljana