It’s the beginning of spring (we think?!) and with that comes Microsoft New England’s busiest event season. Check out three events happening this week that should make it on your calendar:
1.) Losing our Lead? Education, Innovation and the Massachusetts Economy
Monday, March 24, 8:00AM – 10:00AM
The Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE) will be announcing a new agenda for improving public education in the Commonwealth. MBAE will be sharing the findings of a statewide poll of employers and releasing a report about the condition of public education in Massachusetts and how they compare to the best systems around the world. Sir Michael Barber, lead author of the report, will present findings and recommendations for discussion as we continue to refine this blueprint for future education policy in the Commonwealth.
*NOTE: Follow us on Twitter @MSNewEngland tomorrow morning from 8-10am for LIVE-TWEETS from the event.
2.) Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County Inspiration Celebration
Wednesday, March 26, 5:00PM – 9:00PM
The Inspiration Celebration is an annual fundraiser supporting the local Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County with Clubhouses in Cambridge, Somerville, Medford and Everett. The event honors individuals, organizations and volunteers who’ve supported the organization as well as the Youth of Year nominee from each Club and the local community of supporters who help make the Clubs safe, fun, learning environments for our young people.
3.) A Conversation on Civic Technology
Thursday, March 27, 5:30PM – 8:30PM
Boston’s innovation community has had great successes recently in working with government officials to empower and inform citizens. Some examples have included Citizens Connect, Will they tow me?, Localocracy and NearbyFYI. We now want to expand the conversation on Civic Technology to address the harder and broader problems that the public groups are facing.
In coordination with New Urban Mechanics and The Venture Café Foundation, the Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center (MIPC) is hosting a conversation “A Coversation on Civic Technology,” to address some of the following questions:
- What is Civic Technology?
- What problems are we trying to solve?
- What is the role of citizen engagement?
- How do we make it easier for the technology community to connect with public officials about their problems?
Panelists include:
- Kate Crawford, Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research (Social Media Collective), a Visiting Professor at the MIT Center for Civic Media, a Senior Fellow at the Information Law Institute at NYU, and an Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales.
- Nigel Jacob, Co-Chair, New Urban Mechanics
- Carlos Martinez-Vela, Executive Director, Venture Café Foundation
- Travis McCready, Vice President for Programs, The Boston Foundation
*Read more about the event via Annmarie Levins here!