to make EU Legislation more

Transcription

1 Using Argument Visualisation to make EU Legislation more transparent: the WAVE approach Konstantinos Parisopoulos, p, Information Systems Lab, University of Macedonia 1st International Conference on eparticipation Li A t i S t b Linz, Austria, September 1, 2009

2 Project background and rationale In eparticipation, there is a clear requirement to better understand how technology can support informed debate on issues BUT: deliberation is typically on complex issues too many arguments not obvious that many people actually have the necessary critical thinking skills to deliberate WAVE s innovative use of Argument Visualisation makes the process of providing feedback more compelling to citizens by mapping contentious and complex debates comprehensively

3 The WAVE approach Project WAVE understands that the power of modern ICT tools provides new opportunities for the engagement gg of citizens and other stakeholders, especially in complex issues Advantages of Argument Visualisation and Debategraph in WAVE: Coherent and easy to grasp visual structure Integration of a wide arrange of inputs (images, charts, videos, documents etc.) Step by step guidance through complex issues Easy and direct participation

4 Project motivation Project WAVE recognises that the key to the success of the climate proposal p legislation is ensuring that Member States properly implement the measures they have signed up to. In order for the Member States to deploy the legislation in the most effective manner they need to understand the impact it will have in their area and on their constituents. Given the wealth of viewpoints, public interest, and the ability to generate positive benefits, WAVE sees the climate change legislative area as a unique opportunity to test argument visualisation.

5 The WAVE Project

6 Legislative Focus Mainly: Impact of Environmental Legislation But also: Drafting of Environmental llegislation Other EU funded projects have mainly investigated Formation and Drafting of Legislation. These projects are: VEP SEAL Ideal EU LEX IS DALOS LEGESE

7 WAVE Objectives GOAL 1: Test the effectiveness of argument visualization tools in helping citizens from a variety of countries and demographics to better understand complex issues generally Objective 1.1: 11 Successfully Deploy an Innovative Platform for Democratic Debate Objective 1.2: Engage a Broad Range of Citizens to Participate by using the Tool to Deliver True Value through Collaborative Participation Objective 1.3: Use Argument Visualisation to Reduce Complexity in Legislation Drafting Objective 1.4: Feed the results from the climate change debate back to relevant committees GOAL 2: Measure whether and under what conditions these tools can have specific impact on one of the most important and popular legislative agendas facing Europe (environment) Objective 2.1: Evaluate the levels of success between locations Objective 2.2: 2:Create a Sustainability Strategy for Achievements and Outcomes

8 Partners map AIDC UK Ltd, Halifax, United Kingdom 21c Consultancy Ltd, London, United Kingdom Thoughtgraph Ltd., Taunton, United Kingdom Kauno Technologijos Universitas, Kaunas, Lithuaniai National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland Politech Institute, Brussels, Belgium Fondation Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France University of Macedonia Thessaloniki, Greece February, 2009

9 Project details Start: 01/02/2009 End: 31/01/2011 Duration: 24 months Total effort: 145 person months Total budget: Funded (75%):

10 Expectations Identify stakeholder groups and user needs Engage Citizens in using Argument Visualisation Tools Provide Feedback to National Governments and EU Parliament on Climate Change Legislation Evaluate the Effectiveness of Argument Visualisation Tools Successfully Test an AV tool in 3 Countries (UK, FR, LT) Enhance Awareness on Climate Change

11 More Info More information available at: project.eu/ eu/ Contact person: Prof. Konstantinos Tarabanis InformationSystemsLab Lab, University ofmacedonia Macedonia, 156 Egnatia street, 54006, Thessaloniki, Greece. Tel E mail: kat@uom.gr