Gov 2.0 Conference is a Wrap

Over 250 delegates converged at CeBIT Australia's Gov 2.0 conference in Canberra to learn from high-profile local and international speakers as they discussed the future of using Web 2.0 to increase participation, collaboration and efficiency in government.

The Conference proved to be a successful networking event on the day, both at the venue and via the online sphere. Hundreds of people from Australia and around the world viewed the conference proceedings online through live streams.

The Conference was hailed as an overall success by speakers, attendees and the wider community who followed the day’s proceedings through a range of live social media links. In particular, the Twitter Wall was a popular feature of Gov 2.0, with both physical and virtual attendees adding to the day's conversation using the #gov2 Twitter hashtag.

Federal Minister for Finance and Deregulation, The Hon Lindsay Tanner, delivered a Ministerial Address highlighting that the key to accepting Web 2.0 within government relies on a cultural change within government itself, rather than a change within technology. 

Other key speakers on the day included:

• Dr. Nicholas Gruen, Chair of the Government 2.0 Taskforce analysed using Web 2.0 to improve government interaction with the public, especially regards to Inquiry 2.0.

• Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart, New York State Chief Information Officer and Director of the Office for Technology, New York State, USA explained how her department develops, implements and oversees IT investments for the State of New York and how she led the implementation of the New York State’s “Empire 2.0” strategy.

• Dr. Andy Williamson, Director, eDemocracy Programme, Hansard Society UK outlined how the UK’s Hansard Society drives online political communications to further “digital democracy”.

• Fay Styman, Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Communications Branch, Australian Tax Office explained how the ATO uses social media tools to positively influence compliance risks, corporate objectives and new policy initiatives. 

The success of Gov 2.0 will be further developed in CeBIT Australia’s 2010 e-Government Forum on May 25, 2010, organised in conjunction with the Australian Government Information Office (AGIMO) within the Department of Finance and Deregulation.

You can stil participate now the conference is over

• The Gov 2.0 Twitter wall is still active. Add to the conversation by using the #gov2 Twitter hashtag.
• View photos taken during the Gov 2.0 conference on Flickr.
• You may also want to join our Gov 2.0 Australia Linkedin group.
• Watch videos from the Gov 2.0 Conference