Why do we need a new framework for e-participation?: Thinking about the rapid Transition to E-Participation during the COVID-19 in the Porto Alegre Municipal Council for Urban and Environmental Development, Brazil

Abstract

In this ongoing research, we aim to examine the challenges faced during the participation process due to the rapid and unplanned transition to e-participation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The shift to e-participation has impacted social participation mechanisms that were well-established in face-to-face formats. To analyze and understand the consequences of this transition, we employ a case study with inspiration ethnographic in the Porto Alegre Municipal Council for Urban and Environmental Development in Porto Alegre, Brazil. While e-participation has the potential to include individuals who were previously unable to participate in face-to-face meetings, it also presents limitations. A significant portion of the population lacks the digital literacy or appropriate devices necessary to engage effectively in online sessions. Moreover, when e-participation was first implemented, plenary sessions were broadcasted without giving viewers the right to express their opinions on the topics discussed. This situation highlights the need for a new framework that considers the process of transitioning from in-person participation to e-participation due to the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our research intends to contribute to the theoretical literature by exploring the possibilities of transforming participation into e-participation in countries of the global south.