#chris vein

[thinkvr]

The Open Government Revolution

In Uganda we used something as simple as SMS text messaging to reach out to over 200,000 people living in that country. We helped them to understand how to solve the problem of what was destroying their banana crop; their number one export. A conversation was started using something as simple as text messaging and it enabled farmers to change how they are solving this problem; change how they work together and the relationship between the government and the farmer.

--Chris Vein 

(via Open government: a chance to revolutionise the relationship between citizens and their leaders | Public Leaders Network | Guardian Professional)

[nycdigital-blog]

The Future of Cities: Technology in the Public Service

Yesterday, New York City’s Chief Digital Officer, Rachel Sterne, participated in a panel at South by Southwest, “The Future of Cities: Technology in the Public Service". Abhi Nemani, the Director of Strategy and Communication moderated the panel which also featured John Tolva, Chicago’s Chief Technology Officer Rachel Sterne, Nigel Jacob, the Co-Chair of Boston’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, and Chris Vein, the White House’s Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Government Innovation and the former Chief Information Officer and Executive Director of San Francisco’s Office of Technology.

Sterne outlined the pillars of New York City’s Digital Roadmap: access, open government, engagement and industry and showcased examples of how NYC agencies are innovating with social media to better serve the public. Emphasizing the importance of input from New Yorkers, Sterne showcased some of the winning entries from last summer’s “Reinvent NYC.gov” Hackathon, which are serving as design references for the NYC.gov redesign. Sterne encouraged interested New Yorkers to engage with the City’s digital efforts, saying, “No matter who you are, there's a way for you to be involved. We need your help and we need your ideas."

[nycdigital-blog]

If you are attending SXSW this weekend, check out the "Future of Cities: technology in Public Service" panel featuring:

Abhi Nemani, Director of Strategy at Code for America

Chris Vein, Deputy United States Chief Technology Officer for Government Innovation, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

John Tolva, Chief Technology Officer, City of Chicago

Nigel Jacob, Co-Chair of Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics Boston City Hall, Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics Boston City Hall

Rachel Sterne, New York City Chief Digital Officer, City of New York 

The event will take place on Monday, March 12 from 12:30-1:30 PM at the AT&T Conference Hotel, Salon C for the panel.

If you have any questions for the panelists, please submit them via the comments section of this post.