World e-Parliament Conference 2016#eParliament28-30 June 2016 // Chamber of Deputies of Chile // Valparaiso

Citizen-centered digital toolsDr Rebecca Rumbul / Head of Research, mySociety

The rise of ‘PMO’ sitesAlternatives to official parliamentary websites

‘PMOs’ are alternative sources of parliamentary information and data

Majority of sites are built using data parliaments and governments are making digitally available

Aim of such sites is to make parliamentary information more readily available

PMO sites comparedKenya, South Africa, UK, USA, India

UK TheyWorkForYou.com South Africa PA.org.za Kenya http://info.mzalendo.com/ USA www.govtrack.us

What do people want to know?Citizens are demanding more information!

Biographical information on individual politicians, including work experience and financial interests

Contact information Individual politicians voting history and

policy position What is being said during parliamentary

debates

Why are PMO sites effective?Aren’t they just repackaging data that is already out there?

PMO sites tend to be built by frustrated citizens/NGOs with digital expertise

They tend to package data in a way that is more logical to the user, rather than the institution

They are able to package data from multiple sources

They add narrative and context to data Used widely by infomediaries

Q: Do you believe that being able to see this information enables you to hold politicians/government to account?

There are digital pitfalls . . . Elite capture is a significant potential issue

Users of PMO sites in UK / USA are clearly more educated, older and more affluent than the general populations

Users in Kenya / South Africa are younger, but still comparatively educated/wealthy

Usage differs geographically The existence of these sites can

fundamentally change parliamentary behaviour

PMO Users: Gender Breakdown

PMO Users: Educational Achievement

PMO Users: Employment Sector

How can we do better?And how can we do it together?

Communication and collaboration between parliaments and PMOs can be mutually beneficial

Parliaments and PMOs that work together can create better tools for citizens

Awareness of the digital divide and its potential impact can ensure all organisations work and innovate together to eliminate it

www.mySociety.org