posted on behalf of DPER
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin T.D., will host the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Europe Regional Meeting in Dublin Castle on 8 & 9 May.
The agenda comprises both working group and plenary sessions addressed by a range of invited experts from across Europe and will include a number of Ministers.
Day 1 of the conference will focus on themes including legislative openness, measuring progress in open government, best practice in Nordic countries, the EU’s role in promoting transparency and accountability.
Day 2 of the conference has a significant open data theme throughout the day beginning with –
· a private sector panel (speakers including Microsoft, IBM and SME sector) who will discuss how the private sector can contribute to open government through technology and corporate transparency; and a session on open government and public services and the economic impact of open data; and
· other sessions will include fiscal openness, citizen participation, whistleblowing, access to information and open contracting.
Ireland is relatively new to the OGP. Minister Howlin attended the OGP London Summit at end October last year, where he announced a number of significant Open Data initiatives for Ireland. Ireland’s hosting of this meeting as a new joiner demonstrates a strong commitment to open government and to the OGP. The meeting also aims to facilitate peer learning on aspects of the OGP and to increase awareness of the partnership in Europe. It will provide an excellent opportunity for government ministers, officials and members of civil society organisations from across Europe to gather and discuss their involvement and experiences of the OGP and to engage with a range of issues relating to the OGP process.
The relevant link is http://www.opengovpartnership.org/get-involved/europe-regional-meeting and the agenda is available at http://www.opengovpartnership.org/get-involved/europe-regional-meeting/agenda
If you have any queries or be interested in attending, email OGPDublin2014@per.gov.ie
Irish Politics Forum 
http://bigthink.com/big-think-gesf/crowdsourcing-government-wikilaws-in-the-cradle-of-democracy
I Hope this is up for consideration already. Ronan.
“Dublin Castle on 8 & 9 May.”
The Open Government Partnership is doing a great job. But a Thursday and Friday meeting excludes most people who have jobs. Consequently, rather than being “open government”, participation is limited to those either in government or the professional “civil society classes”.
Holding events at times when most people cannot attend is no way to build a state that is “open, accountable, and responsive to citizens”.
How can we address this?
Hi Oliver, I also wanted to mention to you that we are organising a civil society (half) day for May7th which gives more people from civil society and indeed citizens the opportunity to attend and get insights into some of the open government issues from an alternative point of view. Opening speech at 4pm, first brief session 4.20pm. Not exactly perfect for 9 to 5ers like me and you but it’s a start.