Taiwan’s open government practices and achievements were recently spotlighted by Minister without Portfolio Audrey Tang in a series of events and meetings with academics, business representatives and officials in New York.
Tang, a renowned computer programmer and entrepreneur who helps oversee digital policymaking, hosted a workshop June 11-12 focused on the vTaiwan platform and participation officer network. The event featured discussions on issues like Taiwan’s democratic development and innovative methods for deepening citizen-government cooperation in crafting legislation, policies and programs.
During her eight-day visit wrapping up June 17, Tang also held discussions with officials from the New York mayor’s office and civic participation scholars including Micah Sifry, co-founder of Civic Hall—a nonprofit center seeking to advance public well-being through technology.
Launched in 2014, vTaiwan is an online forum where the public can offer perspectives on various issues and proposals and receive responses from related agencies. Participation officers are civil servants responsible for promoting open government practices by engaging with diverse stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and devise solutions.
Noting the workshop featured seven Taiwan participation officers sharing their experiences, Tang said these efforts will help generate new open government ideas as well as facilitate closer communication in shaping effective policies around the world.
Digital services and solutions in Taiwan have gone from strength to strength, Tang said, adding that exchanging knowledge and practices with other countries will help forge more robust long-term international partnerships.
Going forward, Tang said she will continue to promote open government and participatory democracy practices. In November, the minister is scheduled to host similar events in Canada. (CPY-E)
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