‘Open Government Partnership’?

Six Memos on ‘OGP’ for Northern Ireland

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1. Context: !

UK wants to be the “most open and transparent country in history”, via

participation, transparency and accountability. Ireland, England and Wales are beginning,

Scotland to follow. “Northern Ireland has fallen through the cracks”.

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2. Open Government:!!

Flows from a political policy to make information and data accessible, meaningful

and re-useable by citizens. By distinction Freedom of Information (FOI) forms the

basis for a citizen’s right to access.

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3. Participation:!!

“Data alone won’t get you an ovation”. Combined with narrative it helps

communities form, agree on and release new stories and ambitions. It only happens if there’s shared commitment on all sides.

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4. Sense-making:!!

Participation made pivotal can make policy “less crappy, and slightly

more meaningful”. It should be open to dissonant voices. In context it can

be powerful, motivating (and fun).

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5. Execution:!!

Start small, communicate to everyone with clarity, notice opportunities, work through cracks, make it work. Open

government must serve specific purposes - and a burning need to get things done.

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6. Remember:!!

Data is a tool, not an end in itself. Participation requires focus and social

purpose. Sense-making must be actionable. Open government partnership is

an invitation which asks citizens to bring their boots to the game.

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