What makes Internet communication effective in informing policy? Commission for Africa e-consultations hosted by ODI in two phases – preliminary phase in July 2004 with some 65 African research and non-state organisations. main phase November-December participants registered, including 104 located in the UK, and 69 in twenty-one African countries. In all some 276 postings were made.main phase November-December participants registered, including 104 located in the UK, and 69 in twenty-one African countries. In all some 276 postings were made.

The discussion was managed for the Commission by a team from the Overseas Development Institute, co-ordinated by David Sunderland and made up by Ed Anderson, Daniel Demie, John Lakeman, Peter Gee, Chris Taylor, Victoria Wheeler and Steve Wiggins.The discussion was managed for the Commission by a team from the Overseas Development Institute, co-ordinated by David Sunderland and made up by Ed Anderson, Daniel Demie, John Lakeman, Peter Gee, Chris Taylor, Victoria Wheeler and Steve Wiggins. It was hosted on the ODI website using the widely-used Discus web discussion board software which although not quite state of the art had been used several times before in ODI and could be set up quickly and cheaply.It was hosted on the ODI website using the widely-used Discus web discussion board software which although not quite state of the art had been used several times before in ODI and could be set up quickly and cheaply. The discus pages were configured to have a Commission for Africa look and feel. But the e-forum board pages were supplemented by regular web summaries produced by the moderators of the three topics: Financing for development and opportunities for economic growth ; Governance, peace and security; and Human development, culture and participationThe discus pages were configured to have a Commission for Africa look and feel. But the e-forum board pages were supplemented by regular web summaries produced by the moderators of the three topics: Financing for development and opportunities for economic growth ; Governance, peace and security; and Human development, culture and participation

Important aspects Discussing and reformulating the e-forum structure with the CFA before the final framework was established. It was important we had time to do this both to establish the right questions and the right 'user-friendliness'. Discussing and reformulating the e-forum structure with the CFA before the final framework was established. It was important we had time to do this both to establish the right questions and the right 'user-friendliness'. Equally it was important to advertise the forums as widely as possible in the weeks before they started to get the most participation possible. Equally it was important to advertise the forums as widely as possible in the weeks before they started to get the most participation possible. Having three moderators providing summaries every day or so, on top of the existing structure of threads, was helpful to provide coherence and flow to the e- forums. Having three moderators providing summaries every day or so, on top of the existing structure of threads, was helpful to provide coherence and flow to the e- forums. Having a final summary (both in full - 40 page- and summarised version) meant that we could wrap up the discussion well. Having a final summary (both in full - 40 page- and summarised version) meant that we could wrap up the discussion well. Undertaking such a discussion in more than one language would have entailed a lot more expense, but to do so would have been more inclusive. Undertaking such a discussion in more than one language would have entailed a lot more expense, but to do so would have been more inclusive.

But how effective was it? There were 25,795 visits to the e-forum, with 12,595 unique visitors – more than 400 visitors each day. There were 25,795 visits to the e-forum, with 12,595 unique visitors – more than 400 visitors each day. But how useful was the input into the CFA discussions? But how useful was the input into the CFA discussions? Were the CFA simply keen to have it just as a 'talking shop'. Were the CFA simply keen to have it just as a 'talking shop'. It receives a mention in the final report, but only as a footnoted event It receives a mention in the final report, but only as a footnoted event In terms of the network functions identified earlier, this exercise may have helped to convene a virtual network, and to amplify issues and analysis. In terms of the network functions identified earlier, this exercise may have helped to convene a virtual network, and to amplify issues and analysis. For the CFA it helped to provide legitimacy for its project. For the CFA it helped to provide legitimacy for its project.