The DHS Open Government Initiative

In recent days, the Department of Homeland Security has taken a major step toward its priority to create a more open, transparent, efficient, and effective government. As part of President Obama's Open Government Directive, we have now launched the DHS Open Government Initiative.

The Administration has set four goals for its Open Government effort, calling them the "cornerstone of an open government." The goals DHS will seek are:

1. improving transparency by providing more information and data about the Department's activities in a timely and accessible manner;
2. increasing participation by utilizing new tools and strategies to encourage input and feedback from the public;
3. expanding collaboration with our many partners, both inside and outside government; and
4. encouraging innovation to find new ways to make the government more open and efficient and save taxpayers money.

The Department of Homeland Security wants your input on our Open Government Plan. How should we increase our transparency to the public? What is the best way to foster a culture of participation? Do you have ideas to help increase collaboration? We want to hear your thoughts and ideas.

The online participation tool will be available until March 19, 2010. You can contribute your own ideas and rate idea others have submitted.

Chris Cummiskey
Chief of Staff, Management Directorate