Political Innovation day is an unconference organized to promote innovative political projects through discussion. It will take place in Edinburgh on November 13 and Belfast on November 20. Participants can propose and lead sessions on topics of interest. The events are free to attend and no formal agenda or speakers are planned, allowing open discussion. Attendees are encouraged to share session content online later using #picamp. Sessions will be scheduled through participant proposals with time for introductions, four sessions, and a plenary session each day. The goal is spark action through discussion while avoiding partisan politics.

1. Political Innovation day:
How it works
Edinburgh 13.11.2010
Belfast 20.11.2010
Organised by:

2. What is an Unconference?
It’s just like an ordinary conference, except…
• There are (almost) no scheduled speakers
• There is (almost) no pre-prepared agenda
• You can propose and host your own sessions
• It’s ‘in the round’ rather that ‘Proscenium
Arch’ – everybody gets a chance to speak and
listen
• It’s free to attend

3. What to bring?
• There will be free secure wireless on the day
• Bring a laptop if you like – each session would
benefit from a blogger being there
• Bring recording equipment – camera / video /
audio
• Bring your phone – use the #picamp hashtag on
Twitter
• Bring your tat as well – promotional stuff you
want to give away – pens, notepads, those logo-
loved stress-balls, USB keys, post-it pads etc.
Surprise us…..

4. What is Political Innovation?
A series of practical events at which people with
ideas on political innovations can meet up with
• technical experts,
• journalists,
• bloggers,
• politicos
and others with an interest in politics and public
affairs to grow and promote innovative projects

5. Want to do a session on the day?
• Firstly, throw your idea into our forum now to
see if there’s any interest?
http://politicalinnovation.uservoice.com
(there are forums for both events there)
• Come along on the day and pitch the idea to
the crowd
• Attend, introduce, chair, and (ideally) blog
your session afterwards

6. Sessions: guidance
• If you propose a session – do please turn up to it (but see below)
• If a session does run – can someone record it in some way to share later?
Please link to anything you publish on Twitter using the #picamp hashtag.
• Include everyone (the law of “two ears and one mouth”).
• If you find yourself in a session, and you’re not learning or sharing – just
leave and find somewhere where you can. (the “law of two feet”, and no-
one will be offended.)
• If there’s only two of you in a session and you’re learning and sharing –
that’s fine. (However many people are in a session is the right number.)
• Try to avoid being a ‘seminar’: The best sessions are the ones that spark
ongoing action. Try and leave enough time at the end for summarising
and organising this.
• Please avoid party-political soapboxing.

7. How are sessions scheduled?
The opening session will
allow everyone the
opportunity to give
• a quick personal intro
• propose sessions that
they want to host
The rest is a bit of a
scramble with post-it
notes
(pic credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceardach/45494
47780)

8. Timetable
• Doors & Registration – 10am
• Intro session and introductions: 10.15 – 10.45
• Session 1: 10.45 – 11.40
• Session 2: 11.45 – 12.30
• 12.30 – 1.30 lunch and arguing
• 1.30 – 2.30 Plenary Session
• Session 3: 2.30 – 3.15
• Session 4: 3.15 – 4.00
• 4pm: Drinks

9. Our hosts and ticket links
Edinburgh event – Sat 13/11
http://politicalinnovationscotland.eventbrite.com/
Belfast event – Sat 20/11
http://politicalinnovationbelfast2010.eventbrite.com/

10. Partners & sponsors