Open Everything is a global conversation about the art, science and spirit of 'open'. It gathers people using openness to create and improve software, education, media, philanthropy, neighbourhoods, workplaces and the society we live in: everything. It's about thinking, doing and being open.

Where, and when?

There are two kinds of Open Everything conversation planned: a three day retreat in British Columbia and half day events in cities around the world.

• Centre for Social Innovation, Toronto, Canada - June 4, 2008 [read what happened]
  
• Shuttleworth Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa - August 2008 - half day chat
  
• Hollyhock, Cortes Island, BC, Canada - September 3 - 6, 2008 - three day retreat [wiki]
  
• Lien Centre for Social Innovation, Singapore - September 15, 2008 - half day chat
  
• Young Foundation, London, England - November, 2008 - half day chat
  
• A Berlin event has also been proposed in August. News soon.

Eventually, we hope different kinds of Open Everything will happen all over the place. The idea is for people to pick it up and morph it. The events above should be a good start.

Why?

Open is changing the game. And, while Wikipedia and open source software offer great examples of what's up, we know that openness, collaboration and participation are spreading well beyond the realm of technology. It's about value, and values. Where open is headed is huge. Open Everything gathers people who are charting this trajectory.

Who?

Many of us are mashing-up different kinds of open. Open source. Open space. Open orgware. Openness is at the core of our businesses, organizations and networks. Open Everything is for us and by us: it's about connecting and looking under the hood of each others' projects, seeing how they tick, when they work and where they break. It's a about learning how to do open better, together.

What?

Each Open Everything event is different. Topics might include: open business models; running participatory events; the art, science and meaning of open; speedgeek case studies; community engagement; taking open source thinking beyond the tech world; open train wrecks (what went wrong?). What actually gets discussed on the day depends on who shows up, and what they're passionate about.

Mark Surman, Jason Mogus, David Eaves and Michael Lewkowitz have been kicking this event idea around for a while. We've gotten encouraging advice and offers of help from Ahrash Bissell, Alex Samuel, Allen Gunn, Boris Mann, Christian Ahlert, Helen King, Mark Kuznicki, Melissa Hagemann and Tonya Surman. Organizations helping us to make it all happen include Centre for Social Innovation, the Shuttleworth Foundation, the Social Innovation Exchange and Web of Change.

If you want to get involved or find out more, send mail to gang [at] openeverything.net.

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