Devices like tablets and smart phones are connecting citizens with European decision-makers through digital democracy, building trust in the EU and improving democratic processes. Find out how the European Parliament’s STOA panel is learning from this online transformation to use digital tools in decision-making.

data protection

European election

technology

DSM (Digital Single Market)

Study probes e-democracy’s impact on EU citizens and decision-makers

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/10047530/B01-ESN-190617-EN.srt

Moving closer to citizens.  Smart phones, tablets or computers ...

Digital tools could create a stronger connection  between citizens and EU decision-making.

If well used, they could enhance  the EU's democratic processes along with trust in the EU. 

It is very important that  people have the chance to get involved.

Being involved means  in a democratic situation

that you can give your voice,  that you can vote... and I think it's quite important

that we listen to what  the people in the EU want to have,

where are the majorities, where are the minorities...  and find a good solution for them.

Online platforms and e-voting have given  citizens access to the political sphere

where it was lacking before, allowing them  to be better informed and more involved.

One is that the feedback  from citizens does not fully 

translate into the policies they expect.

Another is that the information  from social media is not always trustworthy.

It could be fake news,  it could be fake identities,

it could be a high risk  if we don't have trusted systems.

STOA, the European Parliament's Panel  for the Future of Science and Technology,

wants to learn how to adapt  to the online transformation.

It has investigated what lessons  the EU can draw from local,

national and European experiences  of using digital tools in decision-making.

If you would like to know more,  e-democracy is the subject of a study accessible to all.

It's just a few clicks away,  at www.europarl.europa.eu/stoa