Dr John Gotze links to a recent thought-piece by Stephen Clift about Public net-works, which is simple but valuable: Gotzeblogged: Public net-work
1. They are designed to facilitate the online exchange of information, knowledge and/or experience among those doing similar public work
2. They are hosted or funded by government agencies, intergovernmental associations, international government bodies, partnerships involving many public entities, non-governmental organizations, and sometimes foundations or companies
3. While they are generally open to the public, they are focused on specific issues that attract niche stakeholder involvement from other government agencies, local governments, non-governmental organizations, and interested citizens. Essentially any individual or group willing to work with the government to meet public challenges may be included.
4. In a time of scare resources, public net-work is designed to help governments more effectively pursue their established missions in a collaborative and sustainable manner. This is very close to a project we are involved in developing with a public sector body. Worth reading….