Getting close now. I’ll be calling in to the Beeb later on this evening to record an explanation of what the whole PICamp unconference thing is all about. In short hand it’s about convening a smart crowd of people who all know different things (technology/people/politics) and focusing their attention on what can be done get our politics to rise to the challenge of a faster, smarter, (or perhaps if you’re looking down the wrong end of the telescope, more temperamental and capricious) electorate. We’ll be asking those of you who come along tomorrow to set the day’s agenda. But here’s just one of the ideas we’ve received, in the last few weeks:
As the distance between citizens and the politcal decision making process grows ever wider, perhaps there is a mechanism that will allow people to genuinely engage and promote non-partisan, high quality policy guidance that makes a real difference to people’s lives. One such initiative exists in the United States – devised and delivered by an Associate Professor from Harvard who is now taking a genuine interest in Northern Ireland. I spent three days with that Professor last week meeting a series of stakeholders at Stormont and elsewhere – to gauge their reaction and test their thoughts. I’d like to introduce the initiative, The Common Interest, to Picamp members and see what they think.
– Paul McErlean
Or there is this pretty simple one, asking should the Speaker at Stormont adopt My Societies three principles?
Post yours here: http://picamp.ning.com/forum
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty