Forum on Communications and Society (FOCAS)
The annual Forum on Communication and Society (FOCAS) develops recommendations for leaders in media, government and other societal institutions to promote positive social and democratic values through the various communications media without undue governmental regulation.
The 2013 FOCAS will discuss transparency tools and approaches to improving the way citizens and governments interact. This year’s FOCAS builds on the previous work of the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program and the Knight Foundation, with the aim of furthering an understanding of the open government landscape.
Participants include Open Data Institute Co-founder Nigel Shadbolt, Textizen Chief Executive Officer Michelle Lee, Sunlight Foundation Executive Director Ellen Miller and Citizens for Self Governance President Mark Meckler.
Tentative Agenda
Thursday, July 11, 2013
8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks: Goals of the Forum
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Session I. Problems of Governance: A Status Report
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Session II. Cultural and Institutional Barriers to Open Governance
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Working Groups: Moving from Tools to Institutions
Friday, July 12, 2013
8:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Session III. Road Testing the New Solutions: Working Groups Progress Reports
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Session IV. Institutions to Foster Innovation: A Closer Look at ODI
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Working Groups (continued)
Saturday, July 13, 2013
8:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Session V. Reports of the Working Groups
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Session VI. Policy Options Ahead
The 2013 FOCAS will discuss transparency tools and approaches to improving the way citizens and governments interact. This year’s FOCAS builds on the previous work of the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program and the Knight Foundation, with the aim of furthering an understanding of the open government landscape.