Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/286290
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 MARCH 2014 Opinion 22 T his week a policy that will safeguard Malta's position as a front runner in Europe vis-a-vis a digital economy was launched. Digital Malta is the name given by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Parliamentary Secretary Edward Zammit Lewis to a strategy covering the next six years, based on three main pillars: government, business and citizens. This launch brought back fond memories of innovative proposals put forward by the Labour Party before the election last year. I vividly remember the pledge made by the leader to have government open its doors for citizens, giving everyone the opportunity to voice opinions. The process of Open Government is important to strengthen transparency and accountability. It also spurs further active citizenship by giving the possibility for everyone to participate and inf luence the policy making process. To use Thomas Friedman's term, we are today living in a 'global village'. Thanks to technology, specifically the Internet, but also transportation, Europe has shrunk. The world has shrunk and we live closer to each other than ever before. During one recent home visit, it was fascinating to hear an elderly couple explain how, thanks to Facebook, they speak more frequently to their relatives in Australia than their own neighbour in Malta! PL had specifically mentioned the use of social networks during last year's election campaign to promote citizens' ideas for new policies and initiatives, while ensuring a wider and more effective consultation process. In order to bring the European Union closer to its citizens, I can see many of the ideas outlined in the PL manifesto being implemented at a European level. For instance, proposed laws need not only to be published online, but citizens should have more opportunities to voice their opinions, make comments and suggestions and ask questions online. In its manifesto, PL vouched that for the first time the public would be able to nominate public appointees. I agree that choice should not be restricted to politicians. In fact, last year the government vouched to provide citizens with more information and knowledge on what's going on, with more access to information, primarily through online channels. In just one year we have seen concrete changes, especially with the introduction of electronic ID cards. Ultimately, it is important to recognise that what characterises today's society is its permeability of change, i.e. the rate at which new technology is changing the way we interact. It is easy for policies to become outdated unless proper monitoring and a proactive approach is adopted by the government. So, we must be on our guard. In order for this digital economy to f lourish, it is important that the government's online platform is easy to understand, irrespective of digital literacy. It is useless to have a digital government if citizens fail to use services, citing complications. We must always ensure we are staying ahead of the game. Charlon Gouder is a Labour MEP candidate. Charlon Gouder Ministry of Sustainable Development, the Environment & Climate Change Expression of Interest Sant Antnin Family Park at Marsascala !"##$%&'$()*+'+,*+-$."'*(+,$*&$."'*(/(."*+$()$*0(,$+1.'+,,(&)$&%$()*+'+,*$%&'$*0+$ /&22+'/("#(,"*(&)$&%$/+'*"()$%"/(#(*(+,$3(*0()$*0+$4")*$5)*)()$6"2(#7$8"'9. The Sant Antnin Family Park was developed on Government owned land by WasteServ as part of a 'Planning Gain' obligation imposed by MEPA. The Park's development was largely EU funded. The Family Park offers a number of opportunities for the commercialisation of certain facilities in a manner that adds value to end users whilst keeping the present attractions free of charge. The purpose of this call is to: 1; Obtain a list of those individuals and/or entities that may be interested in adding value to the Family Park through mutually beneficial synergies and/or the provision of ancillary services; and 2; Invite proposals for commercial activities that are not already contemplated under this call but which may be beneficial and/or that provide value added to end users of the Family Park. Potential applicants are asked to register their interest by filling in and submitting the standard application form. Copies of the Application Form and related documentation may be collected in weekdays only from the 1 st April 2014 between 8.30 – 12.00 hrs and 13.30 – 16.00 hrs from the: Director (Procurement and Supplies) Permanent Secretariat Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change 6, Qormi Road St. Venera SVR 1301 The closing date and time for submission is 2nd May 2014 at 16.00hrs. Digital Malta – the way forward for the next seven years The process of Open Government is important to strengthen transparency and accountability Ultimately, it is important to recognise that what characterises today's society is its permeability of change Download the MaltaToday App now