Re: New Charter

Hi all

Damn. Had to removed the IG from my signature block since we're 
technically not running now.

Anyway. As expressed previously to the chairs, and to others, I am 
definately interested in seeing the group rechartered - I strongly 
believe that it has an important role and fills a definate need that 
exists to promote the use of standards and standardised approaches and 
interoperatibility between government systems and services at all levels 
up to and including the International community.

I would like to see a move away from simple chat and discussion on 
topics and a move towards increased and extremelely co-ordinated 
Education and Outreach for e-Government, both to governments and NFP's 
as well as other areas of the W3. Obviously we will be already strongly 
represented in the LOD WG when a charter evolves there - (one could say 
that the LOD and E&O could both be specific TF's of the e-Gov at the W3 
if we were more than simply an IG.), as well as in other areas at W3 
where active e-Gov IG members have involvement such as Sem Web, 
Accessibility etc.

I realise that generally the focus (and some of the reason why little 
consensus or movement forward happens) has been on the e-Governance of 
lead Western nations that would be considered to be relatively e-Gov 
ready - the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scandanavia and the 
EU. This seems to be a) because it is where our membership has been 
based and b) because it is what we know - it is our comfort zone.

I believe that the IG could contribute significantly to the uptake and 
adoption of standards that underpin e-Government in emerging nations, 
not only directly, but through supporting W3 and other likeminded 
efforts such as the W3F. The IG could act not only as mentors in this 
regard, but assist in facilitating networking and connections between 
emerging e-Gov states and e-Gov ready states.

Anyway - in short - +1 from me to continue the IG.

Cheers

-- 
/*Chris Beer*
Invited Expert (Public Member) W3-WAI WCAG Working Group
EM: chris@e-beer.net.au <mailto:chris@e-beer.net.au>
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