At this event we show what new technologies can do to improve local governments, without talking about technology or IT.
For all those who are fed up with hearing IT say “what you ask, is not possible”, we present to you: “Open Data”!
What event is this?
The Leuven Open Data event on September 20th is held in – where else would it be – Leuven!
At 19:00 we welcome you at the council chamber (‘Raadzaal’) in the provincial building (‘Provinciehuis’). A unique chance to feel like a Leuven politician, having you own chair in the council!
Four speakers show you what Open Data can do for local governments – cities or provinces – and at 21:00 we round up with beers.
The event is free and open to everyone, but we prefer you to register. But people working for the city of Leuven or the province of Vlaams-Brabant are even more welcome!
Why should I go?
Today websites can be much more than just static screens that you can read. And what’s more, it’s not even difficult to get there!
The only thing you need to do – as a local government – is to open up your data, in-line with the ‘open government‘ policy.
You should attend this event if you’ld like to know:
- how your local government can communicate better with its citizens,
- how other cities use Open Data, like Ghent and Vienna,
- what Open Data is, why it is important for local governments and what you need to do to get it,
- how you can help Leuven become a front-runner!
Open Data will make it so much easier for local governments to provide information to their citizens. Why wait to be the last to get involved?
Open Data?
“Open Data” is information that you spread in such a way that it can be re-used. That means others can use your Open Data to make things that bring value to you, without you having to do anything.
A well-known example is iRail, a website developed by ambitious citizens to consult live train schedules. Remember the NMBS’ reaction? If you like actions like these and hoped that the NMBS would have reacted supportively instead, you will love this event!
Go to openbelgium.be to read more on Open Data.
Agenda
This evolution brings challenges as well – like security and ownership issues. We want to know your thoughts and concerns, so we end up with a discussion round and beers:
- Welcome to the Leuven Open Data event, by Saïd El Khadraoui (European Parliament, sp.a)
- What is Open Data and why is it important for local governments, by Jonathan Gray (Community coordinator, Open Knowledge Foundation and LOD2)
- Why Ghent has Open Data, by Bart Rosseau (Strategic Communication Advisor at the City of Ghent)
- Why Vienna has Open Data, by Martin Kaltenböck (Managing Director CFO, Semantic Web Company and LOD2)
- Open Discussion: what do the people of Leuven want?
Followed by free beers! If you want to attend the event, just show up or register by email!
More information
- How to get there? Route description in Dutch, address in English
- Who’s organizing it? The LOD2 consortium, a bunch of European universities and companies united in an FP7 project.
- What becomes possible with Open Data? Look at the apps of Ghent, Vienna or Amsterdam. And Leuven should be next!
- How does Open Data support an Open Government? A (Dutch) blog post that will open your eyes!
- More infomation about the event at the TenForce blog.
Important! This event is organized by a non-profit organization, supported by the European Commission to create awareness about Open Data among local governments. It is not a commercial event.
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