A website launched by the new Dutch Cabinet aims to get feedback from citizens on ways to improve government performance.
Called ‘Working on the Netherlands together’ –
Samen werken aan Nederland – the site seeks input on the outline programme put forward by the Dutch coalition in February 2007. After consultation over the internet and at local meetings, the outline will be converted into detailed government policy by this summer.
The Cabinet has identified six key issues for the coming legislative period:
- The Netherlands in Europe and the world
- Security, stability and respect
- A sustainable society
- Governance by and for the citizens
- The Dutch economy
- Living together in the Netherlands
One topic is being highlighted each week up to the end of May. Site users can start their own discussion thread, react to an ongoing discussion or simply indicate agreement or disagreement with other responses.
Contributions must be no more than 300 words long and by topic. Source references are allowed, but comments must amount to more than just copies of existing texts or links to other sites. Offensive, discriminatory, irrelevant or otherwise unsuitable material may be deleted. Direct questions to the authorities are not catered for as another site already exists for that. The Cabinet promises to keep the site’s readership informed about policy developments and the use that is made of their suggestions.
http://ec.europa.eu/idabc/en/document/7027/194