A common theme in the field of open government refers to the use of technologies as a means to foster citizen engagement. A closer examination, however, shows that most initiatives facilitated by information and communication technologies (ICT) have been characterized by low levels of citizen engagement.

In Brazil, the state of Rio Grande do Sul stands out as an exception. For instance, in a recent web-based policy crowdsourcing initiative, “Governador Pergunta” (“The Governer Asks”), citizens were invited to co-design solutions to address health challenges in the state. The process has generated over 1,300 proposals, with more than 120,000 votes cast on the prioritization of the different proposals. In a similar vein, the state government has engaged over one million residents in its multi-channel (online and offline) participatory budgeting (PB) process this year.

At this event, high-level officials of Rio Grande do Sul will present the state’s innovations on citizen engagement and feedback mechanisms, as well as discussing the ongoing initiatives implemented with the support of the World Bank Institute (WBI)’s ICT4Gov program in the framework of Rio Grande SWAp to Strengthen Public Investment.

Chair:
Robert Hunja, Manager, Open Governance, World Bank Institute

Introductory commentators:
Deborah L. Wetzel, Country Director for Brazil, World Bank
Thomas Kenyon, Senior Private Sector Development Specialist, World Bank

Presenters:
João Motta, Secretary of Planning, Management and Citizen Participation in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Vinícius Wu, Coordinator of Digital Office and Chief of Cabinet in the Government of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Discussants:
Darrell West, Vice President and Director of Governance Studies and Founding Director of Center for Technology Innovation, Brookings Institution
Judy Baker, Lead Economist, Urban Practice Group, World Bank Institute
Tiago Peixoto, Open Government Specialist, World Bank Institute