Change Is Good

Around 140 people gathered at Toronto’s MaRS Centre early Saturday morning to answer the question, “How do we re-imagine government and citizenship in the age of participation?” The question was the impetus for ChangeCamp, an un-conference event. Being my first un-conference, I approached ChangeCamp with a little apprehension. While the democratic intent of the event seems like a good idea, it could falter without the right amount of direction.

The full group assembled in the large auditorium in the basement of MaRS, listening to the organizers’ introductions and instructions. From there, we all broke out into smaller groups, introducing ourselves and discussing our interest in the event. It soon became clear that the people attending the event were from a diverse set of backgrounds: business and politics to technology and design. The discussion wandered as people contributed their two cents. Commonalities were formed and core issues emerged. After this process, each group dispersed, hoping around from conversation to conversation.

When everyone reconvened in the auditorium, the direction of the afternoon sessions were decided. In traditional un-conference form, individuals announced their topics and posted them on the wall in a giant grid from A-R. These topics ranged from broad ideas around government transparency to specific ones like Facebook groups affecting vehicle licensing. At this point I was beginning to feel a little out of sync with the whole event. As a designer I am used to tackling problems through discussion, brainstorming analysis and creation. However, although there was plenty of discussion, it never really led to much else. Now don’t get me wrong discussion is important, but it is only the first step. So when I examined the big grid of topics, I became a little disheartened by the lack of actionable themes. However I reserved judgment, hoping for the best.

After returning from lunch I approached the grid, hoping to find a session I could identify with. No such luck. However the ChangeCamp organizers added something they called ChangeLabs. These sessions were longer and focused more on producing things rather than discussion. One ChangeLab focused itself on the idea of “social API” a tool to disseminate the ChangeCamp idea and help “changemakers” make change

The group was exactly what I needed, a collection of people focusing on a problem and taking action. The intensive session was really motivating and really reiterated the power of the collective in my mind. By the time the session was over, we were eager for more. We left the session with ideas floating around, ready to take the project further. The entire ChangeCamp group met up in the auditorium once again to wrap up the event. But rather than a closing, the moment felt more like a beginning; the beginning of something bigger.

(Photo via Karen Quinn)

While ChangeCamp had its faults, I know it can only get better through constructive criticism. To begin with, the morning sessions were good at getting people’s brains working and mouths talking, but a little more guidance could help to make them really useful. As for the grid of sessions, I feel it has its place. In all honesty, I think it comes down to the fact that it isn’t really my style. I am someone who needs to take action and begin to think about solutions. Perhaps this can be done in an hour, but I prefer to take some more time. As for the ChangeLabs, I am very eager to see how this evolves. The idea is great and a really good way to spark project around a given theme or idea. Getting so many smart and talented people focused on a single idea is really powerful and really where I believe change can begin to happen.