OpenGov - Open Government Brainstorm

An open and accessible government is critical to any healthy democracy. However, equally important is its citizenry’s trust in its government – in what is being shared and how it is being shared. If the public does not trust the information that it sees or reads (or the source providing it), then the efforts are fruitless.

There has been a decline in public confidence in government at all levels (local, state & federal). When asked in a Public Strategies/Politico poll released in January 2009, 62 percent of respondents indicated that their confidence in the federal government had decreased in the previous 12 months, while 8 percent indicated that it had increased.

Transparency in Rebuilding Understanding and Solutions Together (TRUST), a coordinated campaign to help restore public confidence, is needed. Components would include:

1. Convening public conversations about how to define trust in government – i.e., what does it look like?

2. Establishing and adhering to a set of principles to help promote civic engagement

3. Providing federal, state and local government agencies with a set of best practices for citizen participation

4. Educating the public about government accountability efforts

5. Recognizing and rewarding agencies and citizens for their vital roles in keeping our democracy healthy, vibrant and strong

Without addressing this core challenge, any reforms to government transparency are likely to be cast aside – perceived as “business as usual.” Building upon the record breaking participation in the 2008 elections, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity now to implement the types of changes that are needed to restore public confidence, increase citizen participation and strengthen our democracy for all.