A few weeks ago Ethelo’s Director of Business Development, Dan Hathway, had the opportunity to fly down to Portland to do a presentation on digital engagement at the annual International Association for Pubic Participation (IAP2) North American conference. Topics varied widely, but of special interest was the way municipalities are harnessing new technologies to achieve (and enhance) their goals.

Cities world-wide have gone through major reconfigurations with the arrival of the Internet. The web has been opening up new modes of interaction, enabling citizens to engage with municipal decisions in previously unforeseen ways.

Alongside municipalities such as the City of Calgary and the City of Vancouver who have placed transparency engagement as core values, the City of Victoria received a good measure of high-praise. In fact, this year Victoria received the IAP2’s recognition as the Canadian Organization of the Year. Major Lisa Helps recognizes that having ‘Innovative Lead’ and ‘Engage & Empower the Community’ as its top two objectives has been key in allowing the city to achieve it’s goals.

Check out this video snapshot of the City of Victoria’s inspiring story of success: