Opendata.ch/2019 conference becomes a "Forum"

On 4 July 2019, Switzerland’s open data community will meet for the ninth time for its annual exchange. This year we are guests of SBB in Bern-Wankdorf. And together we are trying something new.

With the “1-2-4-all” method, groups clarify challenges and develop measures in an inclusive and effective way (source of left image: liberatingstructures.com).

We are more than a little excited to be writing this blog post. Why? For almost ten years we have been connecting people interested and engaged in open data in Switzerland and beyond. With a wide range of central and decentralised events: meetups, hackdays and our annual conference. This year we are launching a new format to develop the conference programme in a participatory way with the participants and to create more space for concrete exchange among them.

The “unconference” format, which we want to call a “Forum”, differs fundamentally from conventional conferences: instead of following one-way communication and talks from the stage to the plenary, participants can bring in their own questions and challenges, experiences and skills and discuss with those present the topics that matter most to them. They take away new ideas and insights. They make and deepen contacts with like-minded people and experts.

Sharing experience of practical measures

We want to help participants, wherever they are and whatever their background, to take practical measures for the provision and re-use of open data. The Opendata.ch/2019 Forum is a series of discussions defined by the participants on the day (although we will suggest topics and questions and collect ideas in advance). The aim is to share experience and good practice, inspiration and innovation with one another.

Specifically, 4 July should run roughly as follows:

08:45 - 09:15       General Assembly (for association members)
08:30 - 09:30       Coffee & croissants (for everyone)

09:30 - 09:45       Intro keynote (all)
09:50 - 10:15       Defining the unconference programme together (all)        
    15 min.         Break to choose groups

10:30 - 11:15       Parallel unconference sessions (4-5 groups)        
    15 min.         Break to change groups
11:30 - 12:15       Parallel unconference sessions (4-5 groups)

12:15 - 13:15       Lunch (all)
13:15 - 13:30       Unconference programme update (all)
    15 min.         Break to choose groups

13:45 - 14:30       Parallel unconference sessions (4-5 groups)
    15 min.         Break to change groups
14:45 - 15:30       Parallel unconference sessions (4-5 groups)
    15 min.         Break to move to the plenary

15:45 - 16:00       Outro keynote (all)
16:00 -             Apéro (all)

It will be big – we expect up to 200 participants. It will be very diverse in the topics covered. Hundreds of conversations. Hundreds of new connections and relationships. It is a great opportunity to learn from others and to share with each other what you have done and learned along the way. We hope this meets your needs, and we are looking forward to the day. See you in Bern!

Interested?

If you would like to take part, save the date: 4 July 2019. Register your interest now, without obligation, here: https://goo.gl/forms/zitfNDiA2dk3dQqu1 – we will let you know as soon as ticket booking opens.
Would you like to volunteer as a helper? Contact us via info@opendata.ch, we look forward to your support.
Tell your networks about the event – share the URL of this blog post.
Support the event financially: we need to raise around CHF 20,000 in sponsorship. You can get in touch at info@opendata.ch; we will shortly provide information on sponsorship opportunities.
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