Valletta launches its own Wiki in branding effort

The Valletta Local Council has launched its own Wiki entitled ‘Valletta Branding and Identity’ through which it is expecting comments and suggestions on its branding report published a few weeks ago.

At a press conference held this morning, Parliamentary Secretary for Local Councils and Public Dialogue Chris Said hailed the initiative as an innovative method in consultation.

A wiki is a website which allows the creation and editing of pages on a particular address with users making use of a normal web browser.

Wikis such as the one launched by the Valletta Local Council allows for the presentation of content while freely allowing interested third parties to collaborate and contribute by suggesting changes and by freely editing pages. Valletta’s Wiki can be accessed at http://vallettacouncil.wikispaces.com. Registration is necessary.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said emphasized the role social media can play in e-governance. He remarked that Valletta Local Council’s initiative is being implemented at a time when various infrastructural projects are under way, including Renzo Piano’s City-Gate Project, the new Parliament building, the restoration of the fortifications, various palaces and old buildings including Castille, and the rebuilding of residential streets. These complement other projects undertaken in recent years including the restoration of public places such as St.George’s Square, the Upper Barrakka Gardens and Hastings Gardens. The completion of these projects is important in the run-up to Valletta’s bid for European Capital of Culture in 2018.

Valletta Mayor Alexiei Dingli said that the public will be free and welcome to create new pages with new suggestions.  Users will also able to upload documents, graphics and other files to provide more detailed pages for everyone to see and consider.

“The Valletta Local Council believes that such a method would not only ensure distribution of the content but also openly allowing all interested third parties to directly contribute in this innovative consultation. This exercise, which is a first in e-democracy in Malta, will ensure that the ownership of the branding and identity of our Capital City is shared by all interested parties.”