In last month’s Connecting Up newsletter we wrote about an upcoming public lecture by Genevieve Bell, an internationally recognised anthropologist and ethnographer with both an academic and industry background. In the public lecture Genevieve shared her experiences and discussed strategic directions and opportunities for the future of technology in South Australia and nationally.

Genevieve’s research  came about through the Adelaide Thinkers in Residence program. Connecting Up Australia was one of the sponsors of this latest residency that has national implications. In a journey of surprising discoveries, Genevieve travelled extensively throughout South Australia to find out what makes us tick when it comes to technology.

You can now access the audio of the recording of this lecture in mp3 format and view the recording in mp4 format which is delivered in 9 parts. Video and audio is available at the Adelaide Thinkers in Residence website page for Genevieve Bell.

The Gov2.0 taskforce has just formally released Toward Government 2.0: An Issues Paper. The Taskforce now wants to hear the arguments, information and stories that the Australian public has to tell them. 

Toward Government 2.0 issues paper is designed to encourage public submissions on how social media and Web2.0 techniques should be used to open up government processes.

A recent interview with Lisa Harvey a Gov 2.0 Taskforce member and CEO of Energetica and Board member of Connecting Up Australia, is available on the Connecting Up team blog. In the interview Lisa talks about her appointment to the Taskforce and how, as part of her contribution to the Taskforce, she wants to maintain the nonprofit sector up high on the agenda. She believes there are important issues to be raised and the nonprofit sector has a lot to say about community issues, social justice and disadvantage, ‘...this is the sector that understands how people are working and living’.

The Toward Government 2.0: An Issues Paper is available can be accessed at the Gov2.0 Taskforce blog in a number of formats including:

Responses need to be received by 24 August by:

GetUp is an independent, grass-roots community advocacy organisation giving everyday Australians opportunities to get involved and hold politicians accountable on important issues. It is a nonprofit that receives no money from any political party or the government. 

GetUp won an Australian Community Technology Award,a program organised by Connecting Up Australia, in 2008.

Their latest campaign focuses on the Government’s plan to filter all internet activity. We know that the power of the internet is in collaboration. So, having asked their 300,000 strong community to submit ideas for a TV ad turning up the heat on the Government's internet censorship plan, they are proud to announce the result: a sharp parody video that highlights the shortcomings of the plan - Censordyne!

The ad has now received widespread coverage on Seven News, Sky News and Meet the Press and is continuing to run due to community support. Public contributions, to support the showing of the ad, have now raised $46 220. Watch it here and chip in to put it in front of every politician, all their staff, and every political writer.

At the Connecting Up 09 conference, Connecting Up Australia’s Simon Gee organised a session for people who were interested in establishing Net Tuesday groups in their local area and Sydney is the first cab of the rank.  Join the Sydney based nettuesday group, connecting 3rd sector NGOs and nonprofits to talk about how you can make the most of technology for your organisation.

At the next meeting the group will be discussing the Rozelle Community Centre, its current website, potential improvements and opportunities for extending the site using other web sites, services and technologies. They will also touch on branding, marketing and communications. You can view the current site at www.rozellecentre.org.au/home.html.

Join the nettuesday group for their next meeting - Tuesday 4 August at 6:30pm at The Gaelic Club 64 Devonshire St, Surry Hills.

Social Media breakfast

When: Wednesday 29 July 2009, strictly 8am start - 9.30am
Where: The Ideas Vault, Fox Studios, 14 Driver Ave, NSW 2021
Cost: $10 per person
Topics include:

Bring your communications strategy up to date with helpful discussion on how to use social media channels to better engage with your stakeholders online, build brand visibility and enhance online reputation.
Contact: Anne Bartlett-Bragg, Managing Director, Headshift Australasia.

Associations Forum National Conference 2009

When: 29-30 July 2009
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
What: Developing strategies and resources to enhance associations
Association executives will discover and develop new strategies and resources to boost their value as an association at the upcoming Associations Forum National Conference.
Why attend?

The future of aged care services: a looming crisis?

When : Tuesday 4 August  2009- 9.30am to 2pm
Where: Hilton on the Park, Melbourne
What: A half-day forum commencing with panel discussions with thought-leaders and industry professionals. They will be discuss trends and challenges for the aged care system posed by increasing demand on infrastructure and services requirements, and the importance of the right funding, financing, and investment models.

Madison Down Under

When: 15-18 August 2009
Where: Novotel Barossa Valley Resort, South Australia
What: Intensive four day residential education program covering every aspect of fundraising in four days. Comprising six tracks, each is led by a North American track leader, supported by an advisory panel of Australian fundraising professionals.

11th Australian Seniors Computer Conference

When: 18 - 19 August 2009
Where: Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo
Cost: $60-$200
Why: Keynote presentations; optional workshops; smaller group demonstrations on a range of information communication technology and exciting uses and explanations of new software and new technology as well as new ways with old software.
www.ascca.org.au/conference2009

The Australian Youth Mentoring Network Forum

When: Tuesday 25 August 2009, 5.30pm - 8pm
Where: Lecture Theatre - Law and Commerce North 5, Flinders University
What: The topic for the August forum will be ‘Engaging Mentoring Relationships’. The Special Guest Speaker will be Professor Martin Westwall, Director of the Flinders Centre of Science Education in the 21st Century.

NSWsphere event

When:  4 September 2009
Where: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney
Cost: Free
Why: New technologies are changing the way individuals connect and interact with the state as well as how we connect and interact with each other. The NSWSphere event will discuss what that can mean for our governments and our parliaments. The event is being organised by The Hon Penny Sharpe MLC. Find out further information about the event by going to www.pennysharpe.com/nswsphere.