UK conference

Introduction
This is the planning page for the UK conference for the Open Government Pioneers UK initiative.
 * The conference aims to build the capacity of people and civil society across the UK home nations to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
 * The conference will focus engagement with policy-making in progressing the SDGs using open government approaches
 * The conference will take place in Belfast with an interactive virtual conference running in parallel and deeply integrated with the conference
 * Logistics for the physical conference will be led by the Northern Ireland Environment Link
 * Logistics for the virtual conference will be led by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
 * Agenda and sessions will be developed collaboratively using this wiki page with support from the core partners of the Open Government Pioneers UK initiative.

Event objectives
There are a number of ways that our project is looking to promote and support open government and the Sustainable Development Goals. These are grouped into four methods in our project engagement plan: building networks, facilitating learning, supporting change and promoting pioneering. These seem a logical starting point to frame our conference objectives.

Key themes

 * transparency of government policy-making
 * participatory approaches to public budget-setting
 * INSERT MORE or REFINE

Key formats

 * Lightning talks
 * workshops
 * key note speeches
 * question time
 * panel discussion
 * Virtual discussion rooms
 * Livestreams
 * Open space discussion
 * INSERT MORE or REFINE

Key messages
Positive messages about the need for more open and responsive government to achieve a better society delivered through the SDGs, harnessing the voice of citizens.

Key content (other)

 * Two parts to conference – public facing and feeding off the imagine festival (democracy day style)
 * Should have an introductory type focus for anyone who wants to come with an interest.
 * Focused session that has groups from different nations.
 * Themes and ideas taken into the second part of the day, which is much more strategic
 * Need for first session to have catching themes to draw people in, for example dark money and impact on Brexit
 * How do we ensure SDGs are threaded throughout event? Does this depend on where the UK is in terms of implementing the SDGs? Some nations further ahead than others – an opportunity to promote good practise?
 * Language we use will be important – not open government and SDGs and more like ‘having control over life’
 * If by this stage each nation has a set of ideas and commitments, would be good to bring together and share commitments with partner nations together and to challenge each other.
 * INSERT MORE or REFINE

Delivery stakeholders
How should reps from each UK home nation lead on the event and what other stakeholders in our organisations must be utilised?

Deliverables
What are the key deliverables throughout the planning of the event?

Draft Conference Agenda
Date:   Thursday 15th March 2018

Home nation sessions
Should each UK home nation lead on a session at the conference and how might this look?