An inaugural public sphere event

Saturday, 19 July 2014: the inaugural GovCamp Australia – the first nationally networked GovCamp event.

On Saturday 19 July, Innovation GovCamp – the first nationally ‘networked’ GovCamp across Australia – was held as as part of Innovation Month 2014 in collaboration with the Public Sector Innovation Network (PSIN).

Nationally networked via video and online tools

Linked six cities via two-way video for 3 plenary sessions within the conversation program.

Local issues and priorities

City events each independently organised by a voluntary team with conversation sessions focusing on local issues and topics.

All spheres of government + other sectors

Attendance reflected the organising teams across the six cities which included representatives from federal, state/territory and local government combined with some experienced public innovators from other fields.

Leveraging popular past events

This first linked event built on previous GovCamps in Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane (2011, 2012 and 2013). GovCamps held around the world in past four years: Washington DC, London, Berlin, Ottawa, Scotland, Singapore, and more

Innovation for Public Purpose

2014 national theme was: Innovation for public purpose. The aim was to move the dialogue beyond conventional talk of gov 2.0 and technologies towards innovation that supports resilience and improved public outcomes.

Social knowledge format

An ‘unconference’ format based on social knowledge principles and practices. Open, participatory discussion in short sessions with topics nominated by participants. Conversation segments framed with brief, scene-setting ‘lightning’ presentations and multi-point video link-ups.

Mobilising a knowledge legacy

Conversation was noted via ‘live’ interactive document apps and captured into thematic streams, with a focus on ideas and contributions that encourage momentum.

Advisory circle

Discussion outcomes was curated with the support of a GovCamp Australia advisory circle of innovation leaders and academics together with public sector thought leaders. This national advisory circle is chaired by former NSW Information Commissioner – and GovCamp alumna – Deirdre O’Donnell.

Creating a model for future events

The one-day national event was an introductory ramp-up to enable future jurisdiction-specific GovCamps on diverse themes, for agencies, for Local Government, for regions – and can be designed to complement strategic momentum within States and territory jurisdictions as well as locally.

For a more detailed review of Innovation GovCamp 2014, please see the Social Knowledge Snapshot report (PDF).

In Australia, GovCamp started in 2011 almost simultaneously in Canberra and then Sydney, followed quickly the following year in Brisbane.

While these events were all independent, in 2014 GovCamp Australia was drawn together as a collaborative program of free, open events supported by a national advisory circle and a hub to coordinate resourcing, event training and knowledge transfer.

The landscape is evolving in and around GovCamp and in 2014 the national team started to explore the best way to push forward now we’ve taken the first steps towards a national framework.

Revitalised approaches include: