The City of Seattle has won an award from the Public Technology Institute (PTI) for best web and e-government services for the youth online civic engagement project, PugetSoundOff.org.
This award recognizes the unique opportunity we’re providing for online youth expression and civic engagement and the partnership between the City, Metrocenter YMCA, University of Washington Center for Communications and Civic Engagement, One Economy and others. Puget SoundOff provides area teens with a community networking and online engagement site, together with on the ground training in media literacy, cause related journalism and content development. Seattle youth organizations, including teams at Youth Media Institute, Rainier Vista Neighborhood House and Horn of Africa Services have led the use of the site developing online groups and posting video, blogs, photos and more. Thanks to the Seattle Youth Commission and the City’s Citizens Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Board for their help developing the project. The site also features Flash-based curriculum on web 2.0 and civic engagement as well as tips for online safety.
Visit PTI for more information on the PTI competition and Puget SoundOff to see an array of blogs, video and images on what youth are “sounding off” about today! Puget SoundOff is currently running a contest calling on young people to design their own law. The contest runs through June .