Last June Microsoft Australia kicked off a forum on the topic of Politics and Technology.
The first keynote speaker, political writer for the New York Times Magazine Matt Bai, was critical of the way new technologies were being used to push partisan political views but he also foresaw immense and unstoppable change. Review what Matt Bai had to say - ignoring the tongue tied introduction.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Some attendees though asked that greater focus be given to practical activities at the next Forum.
I am very pleased to announce that the second Microsoft Politics and Technology Forum will be held in the Parliament House Theatre in Canberra on Thursday 26 February from 8.30am. It will be a FREE event. Registration will be necessary. Last June's forum was booked out.
The keynote address will be delivered by the man credited with reinventing campaigning in the Internet age; the campaign director for Howard Dean's pivotal 2004 on-line US presidential primary campaign; an internet visionary who sees the interplay of new technologies and politics as a massive redefinition of politics, commerce, government and culture:
Joe Trippi see joetrippi.com.
What is Joe like?
I don't know as I haven't yet met him or even spoken with him but a quick look at what he has written and done whets the appetite. For instance in his book "The Revolution will not be Televised. Democracy, The Internet, and the Overthrow of Everything", Joe writes
You can't understand how radically the Internet, social networks, and social and viral media are changing our politics, and somehow believe that your institution, your company, your country will somehow be immune....Stop denying the inevitable, start adapting now.
This guy gets it!
Who else?
Joe will also join the Minister for Finance and Deregulation Lindsay Tanner, MP and the now-twittering Leader of the Opposition Malcolm Turnbull, MP to discuss why technology changes everything and what politicians must do to respond.
ON-LINE CAMPAIGN TOOLS - OPPORTUNITY
While our keynote and discussion will be invaluable to anyone interested in democracy and communication in the first half of this century I also wanted the forum to be an opportunity for a look at practical examples of new technology tools.
To that end I'd like to invite any developers, web 2.0 or social networking activists with ideas for, or examples of, on-line tools that can be used in political campaigning and who would like to demonstrate their ideas (as a proof of concept or developed application) to the attendees at the forum to contact me.
I'm not interested in how the tools were or are developed, what platform or language the tool was or would be developed with as long as the idea is original, is yours, and you are prepared to demonstrate the concept or tool to the audience. It would be preferable if the idea were capable of wide usage but that is a matter for you.
Contact me:
If you have an idea or you have developed a tool that you think will support on-line campaigning and you want to demonstrate it to our federal political campaigners and bureaucrats send me an email - simone@microsoft.com
Proposals will need to be with me by 16 February and you will need to have the tool ready for demonstration on the 26th of February in Canberra.
Simon Edwards - Head of Government Affairs
Tried to register, but the link isn't working for me.
Try again, if there is problems send me an email at sassoong@microsoft.com and will try to assist
are you hosting an event in Adelaide?
Joe will be speaking in Sydney including addressing The Sydney Institute, Get Up!, in Melbourne at The University of Melbourne and Brisbane, Queensland University of Technology. Adelaide has not been scheduled but may be considered for future visits.