This project will address ICTs role in sustaining a public sphere but through a concern on its more direct political dimensions.  It will focus on the changing nature of citizenship in the Information Society through a detailed and comparative study of access and participation to political public discourse.  It will investigate the role of ICTs in the encouragement of active citizenship and its implications for participation in the established democratic process.  The research will result in policy recommendations on how ICTs can enable specific social groups in Europe to be better included in political and public life. TNO/ASCoR will lead the sub-group on Inclusion and Exclusion in the Information Society.

Presentation given at EMTEL first meeting