De Cindio F. and Schuler D. (2007). “Deliberation and Community Networks: a Strong Link Waiting to be Forged”. In Proceedings of CIRN Conference 2007 "Communities and Action", Prato, Italy, November 5-7th, 2007.

Community networks are intended to help address shared "public affairs" in geographical areas. Although this goal is important and laudable, community networking communities are often unable to have their voice heard in these matters.

To help address this question - and the broader problem of inadequate and marginalized citizen engagement society-wide - we have launched several research / action projects related to community networks and online deliberation.