[Fwd: Gov Camp Ottawa]

[Shawn Simister]

FYI


Hey everyone-there's an event in Ottawa coming up that I thought you
might like to attend, will include Open Data discuss.  Here are the
details.   Please let me know any questions.  Cheers!

Canada Gov Camp
It’s happening May 31 and June 1 2010 at Ottawa U and You're Invited.
http://govcamp.eventbrite.com/

What is this?
It’s a gathering of local citizens, public sector employees, service
delivery leaders and policy people with an interest in having a
conversation on engaging citizens, empowering business and increasing
internal efficiencies through transformational  government activities
across all levels of government (municipal, regional, provincial and
federal).  This gathering is not a trade show or product oriented
discussion, rather a workshop style unconference where participants
establish the agenda and  explore the themes that are of most interest
to them.

Why?
We’ve seen a number of great communities spring up across Canada to
think about, discuss and build a new relationship with their local
governments, often through the use of technology.  These activities
are accelerated by bringing the community together at workshop style
unconferences, ChangeCamps, BarCamps and unconferences.  Having
participated in these local activities and experienced the creative
energy first hand we began to think about how the ideas and enthusiasm
behind them from these local events could be shared in a broader
context.  So we thought that it would be interesting to bring together
communities across camps, a sort of Jamboree, to explore opportunities
to work together on open government activities across multiple levels
of government.

To Talk about What?
Wouldn’t it be great to call one number and be able to get an answer
to government services regardless of which level provided it?
Reserve your campsite from one website without having to think about
which department managed the site?
How about being able to give your input and be heard on government
initiatives that start from the speech from the throne and are
delivered through provincial programs by you municipality?
These are the types of conversations we are looking to have.

Who else will be there?
We are reaching out to a number communities including key departments
like Industry Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat, Public Works and
Government Services, Public Safety Canada, The Information
Commissioner of Canada, Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner,
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, City of Ottawa and
Open Government, ChangeCamp community leaders.

Who is this event for?
IT People –Technology is one way that governments are transforming how
they deliver services externally and internally.  Technology people
are needed to explore the art of the possible for these new services.
Mash-ups, Open Data, social media are but a few of the possible areas
for discussion.
Policy People – We need you in the conversation so that you can share
your expertise on the realm of the possible from a policy
perspective.  Privacy, Security, Access to Information, Information
Management are all key considerations for successful government
transformation.  Come share your knowledge on how to make these
policies enable new services.
Government Services leaders – Ultimately, government delivers value
through the many services that are provided.  Gov Camp is about
exploring the realm of the possible for service to individuals,
services to businesses and services to other departments.  You voice
is essential to inform the community and to guide those ideas that the
community may have for you!
Community – We are fortunate that there’s a passionate and creative
community with vibrant ideas about how they can help create a closer
connection between governments, individuals, businesses and even among
government itself.  Your participation at the Canada gov camp will
provide you with a venue to share your great ideas and, if all goes
well, interact with some of the people that can take your idea
further.
Who’s behind this Event?
Canada Gov Camp is being hosted by the Canadian Association for
Information Technology Professionals, sponsored by Microsoft Canada on
behalf of the community.