Today, governments around the world face challenges that dictate a number of priorities on top of which is the need for innovation in providing quality government services that meet the aspirations of the citizens and are efficient in terms of output, cost-effectiveness, social justice and distribution. Another priority is to focus on the needs of citizens as the center for the main axis for the services and government policies.

Social networks, as one of the most important aspects of the digital age, have presented various government entities unprecedented opportunities for innovation in policy making and provision of smart services that focus on the citizen by involving the citizen himself in various stages of the design, delivery and evaluation of those services and policies.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has expressed his vision on the impact of social media and the possibility of employing it positively for the benefit of the citizen and society:

Figure 1- Tweets for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the role of social networking

Aiming to encourage leadership and empower the mGovernment, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), launched this updated version of the guide which was initially issued in 2011 to assist federal entities to consolidate e-participation practices and develop them systematically.