Ottilia Berze

As government practices and stakeholder expectations evolve in the digital era, what kinds of change and transformation can we anticipate over the next fifteen years? In view of Canada’s multiple levels of government and regional diversity, how should our practices adapt?

These questions pose a critical challenge for our government institutions and society in the coming decades. In a time when information observes no boundaries and power is increasingly dispersed, authority and accountability urgently need to be reconceived by organizations and governments at all levels in Canada, and beyond.

This timely and interactive event, led by OCAD University's Strategic Innovation Lab (sLab), will bring together a diverse array of practitioners, experts and change-makers from inside and outside government to break new ground. Our purpose is twofold: to draw together diverse perspectives for more informed and effective understanding and action in this space; and to develop a working system map using real-time, dialogic and graphic facilitation processes.

Participants in this Open Space event have the opportunity to voice and explore their concerns while helping to shape the research agenda of a significant SSHRC partnership grant, and also to inform a larger conference of decision-makers, experts, and advocates in Ottawa, January 2015.

Come join 50–60 other experts to discuss the futures of governance in Canada. The gathering will revolve around a vibrant conversation to unearth and share cutting edge research and thinking from across the system, about the scope of the challenge of digital governance.

Places are limited. Register now: http://digitalgov.eventbrite.ca 

We’re keen to exchange ideas and expand our partners network.
To learn more or join this initiative, please contact:
Evert Lindquist, Principal Investigator  evert@uvic.ca

For advocates, these practices go beyond merely informing the work of top decision-makers and experts, and hold great promise to engage citizens in deliberation and debate—but how, and to what extent? How do different foresight, visualization, and digital practices compare to other kinds of engagement? What are the implications for professional training, and critically, how can we maximize democratic potential?

• RSVP by registering at https://foresight-viz-gov.eventbrite.ca
• Download PDF Lindquist visualization discussion paper
• Download PDF Berze foresight discussion papers

About the presenters

Evert Lindquist (PhD Berkeley) is Professor and Director at the University of Victoria’s School of Public Administration and Editor of the journal, Canadian Public Administration. He has published widely on topics in public sector reform, governance and decision-making, research utilization, policy capability, think tanks, consultation, horizontal management, and policy-related visualization. Professor Lindquist has a broad understanding of public governance trends and an interest in foresight and scenario-building. He is PI for the SSHRC-funded project, “Digital Governance: Transforming Government Practice for the Digital Era” with OCAD University, Institute on Governance, Dalhousie University, and On Second Thought Advisory.

Ottilia Berze is a PhD Candidate in Public Administration at UVic. Her dissertation seeks to assess the effectiveness of foresight techniques, especially scenarios, in addressing complex problems. Her other research interests include: refining tools and approaches for managing global complex problems, facilitating effective leadership and change, improving quality of life and increasing human performance. With a degree in Sociology/Anthropology and an MBA from Dalhousie University, Ottilia became responsible for advising small and medium-sized businesses seeking to commercialize innovative environmental technologies, and served in various leadership roles over seven years in the health sector in policy, program and service.

Greg Van Alstyne (@gregvan) is a designer, teacher, researcher, futurist,  co-founder and Director of Research for sLab at OCAD U. With more than twenty-five years practice in strategic communications, experience design, creative research and development. Greg’s previous roles include founding the Department of New Media at MoMA, and inaugural Director of the Institute without Boundaries (IwB).