Demos Greenhouse
- Scifoo 1 - The Wisdom of clouds I'm weekending at the Scifoo camp inside the Googleplex, Silicon Valley. Geeks, Nobel laureates, Astronauts and hangers-on have gathered at science's bleeding edge to share their thoughts with no agenda, no hierarchy and ridiculous amounts of food. As though it had been decreed, today's first session clawed towards Science 2.0. Tim O'Reilly, the man to blame for everything 2.0, began with some explanations. Web 2.0, apparently, is about participation. Google is king, even though its model... continue reading on 9th August 2008
- The National Risk Register The National Risk Register (NRR), published today by the Cabinet Office, marks the latest initiative as part of the Government’s overhaul of the UK national security architecture – a process started with the publication of the National Security Strategy (NSS) in March. Unlike the classified cross-departmental National Risk Assessment (NRA), which Government has kept classified for years, the NRR represents the first publicly available risk assessment from the heart of Whitehall. It... continue reading 8th August 2008 in Resilient Nation
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President al-Bashir's new clothes
Recent developments in Sudan have provoked legal and diplomatic debate, but a particular story about people there giving voice to their sentiments fascinated me. Apparently a design of tobe (the traditional garment worn by Sudanese women) called "the Ocampo" went on sale this week in a market in the capital, Khartoum.
Sudan is in the news because the chief prosecutor of the international criminal court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo, just requested an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
continue reading on 7th August 2008
- Floodsim One of the 92 recommendations from the review into the 2007 floods was that the Government and the insurance industry should work together to deliver a public education programme setting out the benefits of insurance in the context of flooding. One insurance company has spent a fortune developing Floodsim, a simulation designed to put the public in control of flood policy decisions and spending in the UK. It's quite good fun. Sure, it's good PR for the insurance company but it's an excellent approach to public education - which is a key plank in building resilience. I'm talking to some experts on resilience tomorrow so will let you know what they think but in the meantime see how you do. continue reading on 6th August 2008 in Resilient Nation
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Hollowmen
We seem to be going through a dry patch when it comes to political comedy in the UK. Headcases on ITV hasn't really hit the mark (think a poor attempt at Spitting Image meets a sad imitation of Toy Story) but don't worry, all is not lost. Hollowmen on the Australian channel ABC, is brilliant.
Set in the offices of the Central Policy Unit (set up by the Prime Minister to help his election) the series follows the lives of the men and women behind the scenes. It's a brilliant piece of work (and apparently to those in political circles in Canberra very close to the mark sometimes). You can watch the latest episode here.
continue reading on 31st July 2008
- Are we leaving communities behind? Last week I gave a presentation on the Self-resilient society in Melbourne. The talk was hosted by ANZSOG and the Victorian State Services Authority. You can listen to the talk here. continue reading on 30th July 2008 in Resilient Nation
- Better a bad ballot than no ballot? Here at Demos we talk a lot about everyday democracy, the idea that people should have their say, not just in elections, but also in the fabric of their day to day lives.But what about everyday democracy for people who don't have any democracy at all? continue reading 28th July 2008
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School of winners
Last week, we were delighted to see School of Everything scoop a Catalyst award. The awards honour enterprises whose work enables 'people around them to connect with each other in new ways and do good things', and the School won the 'Self-Help' category.
Big congratulations to the team! continue reading on 28th July 2008 - Waitrose nudges everyday democracy shocker Now then. When you pass though the checkout in the new Waitrose in Rickmansworth you're given a token. On leaving the supermarket you pass by thee containers. Each container belongs to a different local charity. My dad told me this after I made him watch the Everyday Democracy video that I have entered in the National Democratic Convention's Film Festival (Please vote for it). Customers have the option of depositing their token in any of the containers... continue reading on 26th July 2008
- Metrostrategy Yesterday I spoke to 120 senior officers at the Australian Command Staff College on national security. After the main Q&A session the topic of conversation moved onto new theatres of conflict. Someone suggested that the armed forces would have to focus more on cities, as a result of increasing urbanisation globally. Urban warfare is an area I am not very familiar with. Fortunately Michael Evans, a fellow at the Australian Defence College has just written an excellent pamphlet on the subject - City without Joy. continue reading on 26th July 2008