Today Alderman Flores launched a new website, www.greeneconomychicago.com, and a sister TV program, "Green Economy Chicago", as part of an effort to bring everyday citizens into policymaking decisions concerning the development of the green economy in Chicago.
The website and program-a collaborative effort between Alderman Flores, Mike Bueltmann of Clear Content, and Comcast CN 100-features discussion and information pages that will be moderated by experts from academia, the private sector, and government. Moderators will translate these pages into steps individual citizens can take to promote economic development in Chicago based on sustainable practices and values.
This platform enables a variety of stakeholders, including everyday citizens, to engage in the promotion and development of Chicago's green economy, explains Alderman Flores.
"This website serves as a resource and an impetus for Chicagoans wishing to promote the development of a competitive and lasting economy in our city," said Flores. "It is based ultimately on the philosophy that the most effective government is transparent government that engages the community it governs in each step of policymaking."
The website and TV program seek to tap into the groundswell of expertise and initiative occurring at the non-governmental level. The site utilizes a Web 2.0 approach to organizing and delivering information, allowing participants to directly provide input and feedback, and enhancing social networks directed at specific policymaking and implementation processes.
"This is about clarifying the too often opaque interface between government and the public," said Flores. "We've seen it demonstrated in the private sector that ground-level involvement through social media and technologies is an extremely effective way of involving people and transforming information into initiative."
For more information, please contact Alderman Flores' office at (773) 278-0101, or visit www.greeneconomychicago.com.