Press release.
The City of Guelph is asking its citizens to help design their government based on the principles of open government: participation, innovation, transparency and accountability. On May 30, the City is hosting a Change Camp that will explore approximately 100 ideas generated by a variety of community-based initiatives and set the direction for Guelph’s Open Government Action Plan.
“Our success is directly tied to how well the principles of open government are embraced by the community,” said Blair Labelle, General Manager of Technology and Innovation. “Public participation is essential as the City works to develop public service, policy and legislation that best serves the common interest.”
Media outlets, journalists, bloggers and social media influencers are key players in the open government movement. The role they play ensures citizens are aware of the decisions that affect their lives and how to actively participate in the decision-making process. As such, media representatives are invited to cover the event as well as participate.
While that approach is perhaps unconventional, so is open government.
Change Camp details
When:
Friday, May 30
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lunch and refreshments will be served
Where:
Best Western Plus Royal Brock Hotel & Conference Centre
716 Gordon Street
Who:
Blair Labelle, General Manager of Technology and Innovation, City of Guelph
Luigi Ferrara, Dean of the Centre for Arts & Design, George Brown College
Amanda Clarke, D. Phil. Information, Communication and the Social Sciences, University of Oxford
Richard Pietro, CitizenBridge.org
Chiara Camponeschi, Enabling City
Cost:
Free of charge, just bring your ideas and open mind – come in, we’re open!
Register: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/openguelph-change-camp-tickets-11528912287
“Guelph’s Open Government Action Plan will be
developed and owned by those in the community willing to commit their time to support and lead initiatives that enhance the way we all live. Whether that’s new ways to participate in decision making, new tools to improve the way the City shares information, or creating new partnership models, the common denominator is that we are all in this together when it comes to making open government a reality,”
said Labelle.