Getting online for a good YARN : Achieving e-governance strength through the active participation of citizens

This paper explores the value electronic governance initiatives which take the form of an online community. Theory relevant to community informatics and online communities is reviewed. The case study for the Young Australian Rural Network (YARN) is then presented to draw out some of the benefits, challenges and learning that can be experienced in operationalising online initiatives. YARN (www.yarn.gov.au) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). It is an interactive online community for young people working in rural industries. It provides a ‘vehicle’ for young people to communicate directly with DAFF and to keep in touch with each other, collaborate, share ideas and strengthen networks. The establishment of YARN was supported by research undertaken during 2001 which confirmed that the Internet represented a powerful communication channel for reaching young people. In June 2002 DAFF recruited a person with the primary responsibility of overseeing the establishment and ongoing development of an online community where ‘ownership’ would be shared between DAFF and young people in rural industries. DAFF clearly understood that functionality could be created but that an online community would not exist unless its members were actively involved and interacting with each other. Through YARN the Federal Government has established a practical mechanism for achieving many of the promises of electronic governance