Smart|connect - Sheffield, United Kingdom

Smart|connect is an online consultation that runs alongside classroom-based citizenship lessons. Students from Year 10 upwards in the participating schools were issued both a "smart card" including their unique cardholder number and a separate letter indicating a unique password. Both these numbers enabled students to log on to the smart|connect website to take part in the online debate. Students were invited to access this website through any PC (at home, school, public library, or any of Sheffield's free Public Access Kiosks located around the city).

Smart|connect included 2 stages during which the students could visit this website to post their views. The first phase, which took place for a 2-week period, invited students to log on to express their opinions and have a say on the issues that affect young people. These issues were divided into several categories; on the left-hand side of the screen, participants could read information about the particular issue. On the right-hand side, students were presented with a number of questions about their own experience with that issue and their perspective on the role their leaders might play in addressing it. As part of the e-consultation, participants were asked to click on their response to each question for submission to project organisers. The specific issues focused on in this project included:

• Smoking - arguments for and against a ban on smoking in public places in Britain. Questions here focused on the right to smoke freely, as opposed to the right to a smoke-free environment. In addition to clicking to select among set responses, participants were asked to write freely in response to the question: "Why should Sheffield City Council ban or not ban smoking in public places?"
• Being Heard - how young people should be represented in Sheffield through the use of new technologies to enable people to connect with their council/government (e-voting, e-consultations, etc.). Questions here focused on how much participants felt they know about local issues, and how well they feel they are being represented.
• Your Area - information about activities and services (amenities) to help youth enjoy life outside school (parks, sports centres, etc.). Questions here focused on learning what young people really need, and how (or whether) the SCC could improve amenities. Participants were asked to articulate what kind of leisure facility they would most want the Council to provide, and why.
• Feedback - assessing each individual's e-consultation experience (e.g., "Do you feel more in touch with the Sheffield City Council and do you feel listened to?"). This section indicates that "This website is the first step for young people to have their say about local issues that affect them. The results of this consultation will be fed back to the Council and will help shape further discussion on these topics".

A "Links" section offered direction for participants seeking to find out more about local issues and opportunities to become more formally involved in the democratic process by attending Area Forums and Council Committee meetings.

Students were then asked to revisit the smart|connect website to vote on specific issues raised during the first stage. By taking part in smart|connect, students earned reward points for each issue they have participated in. At the end of March, the school with the highest number of points averaged out per student won a community prize.

As of this writing, the website is still accessible; logging on as a guest enables access to the information on issues and the survey questions. The "links" section may be accessed without logging on at all.

Youth, Political Participation, Rights, Education, Technology.

In 2003, the SCC introduced a smart|Sheffield card (smart card) to 174,000 people (half the population of voting age) as part of its electronic voting pilot. The card was designed to contain a number of city applications to make it easier and more convenient for citizens to engage with their government. Developed by Connexions Card, the smart card is available free to all 16-19 year olds in England. It offers rewards and incentives to young people as a means of encouraging them to remain in school beyond Year 16. This project is part of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES)'s work to support the government's aims of increasing levels of participation and attainment in post-16 learning. It also encompasses the Connexions Service, which offers advice, guidance, and personal development opportunities for 13-19 year olds across England through access to a fully-trained Personal Adviser. More information about the Connexions Service can be found by clicking here.

The SCC was voted by PoliticsOnline as one of the world's top 25 innovators in eDemocracy for its use of new technology in local elections. To find out more about the SCC, click here.