the rich voices pilot programme   The rich voices method of e-consultation has been successfully piloted in Northern Ireland for Lisburn Borough Council and the Northern Ireland Training and Employment Agency. "The Lisburn 25" pilot took 25 volunteer constituents from the borough council area, trained them in the use of email and the internet and conducted a series of e-consultations with the group. The main e-consultation covered the subject of local democracy. Two further mini-consultations were undertaken as part of the project - one enabled a local MLA the opportunity to conduct a live two hour question and answer session with the group, and the second provided the opportunity for a business adviser from the Northern Ireland Enterprise Network to put questions on barriers to enterprise. The e-consultations elicited a rich, in depth response from the participants, none of whom had met face to face until after the pilot was completed. The completion of "The Lisburn 25" pilot left the commissioning organisations with a wealth of rich, qualitative data from across the social spectrum; a pool of willing, trained consultees; and a group of citizens skilled in email and internet use, more tolerant of people with different views, and more motivated to engage with the democratic process.   All, bar one, of those who completed an individual evaluation of the project expressed a willingness to take part in future e-consultation processes. "Most definitely would be happy to assist in future e consultations" "Yes, I would be prepared to participate in further projects in order to be included in 'Local Democracy'. " "I would be prepared to participate again. Probably because eye contact is not required, and I would have time to consider my thoughts before passing them on." "DEFINITELY WOULD TAKE PART IN FUTURE PROJECTS IF THIS IS THE FUTURE THEN WE ALL NEED TO GET INVOLVED!"   Further extracts from the "Lisburn 25 Report" and details of other rich voices pilot programmes will be released soon. If you would like to be kept abreast of developments in this area contact Mary Williams Edgar to be added to the rich voices mailing list. All contact media can be found on the contacts page.