In just one hour of an Edgecamp session, it is not possible to cover all topics of discussion of the complex issue of global collaboration.
However, many ideas were raised by participants at this session, pointing to new trends, new models, new ways of doing things, and (my favorite) a fresh new bold empowerment from citizens.
Attended this session
Carlo ALBERTO @lordkada
Jean-Sébastien BOURRET js_bourret@hotmail.com
Morgane BRAVO @MorganeBravo
Magnus ERIKSSON @monki
Muhhamad Khaleel JAFFER @mkjaffer
Darren HILL @dazinism
Jovin HURRY @JovinHurry
Pedro PRIETRO-MARTIN @ckyosei
Dante-Gabryell MONSON @DanteGabryell
Medhin PAOLOS medhinp@gmail.com
Dunja POTONIK potocnikdunja@gmail.com
Lyne ROBICHAUD @Lyne_Robichaud
Words
I heard a lot of words. Cohesion. Choices. Emergent. Different forms of aggregation. Act. Transparency. Existing areas. Community. Region or city. Currency. Translate. Burden. Trends. Needs. Engage. Agree. Meaningful. Sense. Risks. Systems thinking. Osmosis. Value. Add. Blend. Creativity. Culture. Meta. Simple. Collaboration. Etc.
The participants suggested to remove the focus from the governments by putting efforts instead on the individual responsibility. Everybody has a voice, preventing social exclusion. Individual initiatives will always go faster than organizations or governments, said one participant. The slow march of institutions is considered no longer appropriate?
(by Jovin Hurry)
A dramatic change
This could mean the beginning of the end of the model of open government? This model was initially based on 3 principles - transparency, participation and collaboration. This would mean a dramatic change…
When I first heard about the Open Government Directive, introduced by Barack Obama in the United States in 2009, I saw in this directive the potential for comprehensive public sector innovation. Most initiatives have focused on transparency, data and technology, as if these would allow to solve serious problems. Citizens now realize that no serious problem has really been solved by these solutions. Except maybe for a few exceptions, such as the Peer-to-Patent platform designed by Beth Noveck. The focus on transparency, the focus on technology as the solution, rather a part of a bigger strategy, is generating a superficial approach, an easy out approach to the much harder systems change that would be needed. The initial open government model has morphed into technology initiatives. Many equate innovation with technology, rather than the deeper social organization, service and funding redesign.
Previously, we used to think: “Let’s find solutions together, government and citizens.”
But now citizens realize that this may not work anymore, because it is easier for risk adverse organizations to reduce their model than to handle the much harder and more complex design and public sector innovation though action and implementation. This way, the human factor isn’t in the way.
Edgeryders participants explained in numerous mission reports that they have experienced non-collaboration from governments.
Now, the new line of thinking seems to be: “Should I make the decisions for you?” This is a serious shift in thinking. The decisions makers used to take the decisions. Not anymore?
One participant of the session suggested to focus on city level, to obtain collaboration. But later, he concluded that “cities are old style”. Even the municipal level, which has always been considered as closer to citizens, is no longer able to generate much enthusiasm from citizens.
Let’s figure out new ways
The issues of isolated cultures, language barriers, were discussed by the participants, which highlighted that we are a risk of creating universal values, which may be superficial. Main cultural differences, respect the other. Understanding each other – shared visions.
Some worried about the technology gap. Not all citizens are familiar with computers. What happens when the number of connected citizens reaches a critical mass?
Who’s responsible for transforming data into meaningful applications? Good interface to be able to converge, process, create new data. New applications. Autodata/netention: interface that enables to input situations to match them.
Participants talked about emergent forms of governments. Semantic web government. The larger picture, keep it a every moment of the time by using maps. Triple stores, semantic protocols. Huge graphs to get larger perspectives.
Have a single profile allowing to be active in different initiatives.
Practical form of sharing is technically feasible…
Avoid bureaucracy…
The 1% critical mass
Meanwhile, Deepak Chopra launched a new global collaboration project, the ChopraWell. 'Critical mass can change the world and it starts with YOU. http://bit.ly/LkFdkz
I wrote a mission report about what Chopra would do if he had 100 million dollars. The 100 million dollars have morphed into 100 million people… http://edgeryders.ppa.coe.int/we-sharers/mission_case/harness-collective-creativity
This is just the beginning
The Edgecamp is over, and the participants went back home, their heads filled with information, bits of conversations and ideas. This week, the participants of this session have are brainstorming and considering several possible paths.
Stay tuned! The “Sustainable global collaboration” collaborative team consists of young innovators and researchers, each more talented than the other, and most importantly… fearless ryders…