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PPGIS « Po Ve Sham – Muki Haklay’s personal blog. Google Trends ‘Citizen Science’ (July 2013) The term ‘Citizen Science’ is clearly gaining more recognition and use. It is now get mentioned in radio and television broadcasts, social media channels as well as conferences and workshops. Some of the clearer signs for the growing attention include discussion of citizen science in policy oriented conferences such as UNESCO’s World Summit on Information Society (WSIS+10) review meeting discussion papers (see page ), or the Eye on Earth users conference (see the talks here) or the launch of the European Citizen Science Association in the recent EU Green Week conference.

There are more academic conferences and publications that cover citizen science, a Google Plus community dedicated to citizen science with 1400 members, a clear trend in Google searches and so on. Another aspect of the expanding world of citizen science is the emerging questions from those who are involved in such projects or study them about the efficacy of the term. Second Republic — An Dara Poblacht. A shadow constitutional convention « politicalreform.ie.

From Eoin Daly (posted by Jane Suiter) 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of our Constitution. The present Government has committed to establishing a “constitutional convention” this year, as part of its political reform agenda and on foot of the Programme for Government. However, the convention will serve essentially as an advisory group, constituted of citizens and elected representatives. Moreover, its remit looks set to be surprisingly limited, focusing on a handful of issues including blasphemy law and the duration of the presidential term. Disappointingly, it appears that it will not address crucial issues such as executive dominance, or the codification and strengthening of constitutional rights in key areas. To mark the Constitution’s anniversary, and to coincide with the constitutional convention which is set to be held later this year, Human Rights in Ireland will host a “shadow constitutional convention” – a series of short essays on ideas for constitutional reform.

Like this: Change we can believe in? The government’s proposed Constitutional Convention « politicalreform.ie. Matthew Wall The government’s recently unveiled proposals on the forthcoming constitutional convention make for disappointing reading for those who, like this author, had hoped that such a body could facilitate profound political reform in Ireland. The proposed convention, to be comprised of a chair, 66 members of the public and 33 elected politicians, is hobbled by a narrow and disjointed pre-set agenda, and limited to a strictly advisory role. Reading through the text of the government’s proposal, it is difficult to disagree with Noel Whelan’s commentary that the convention will be ‘something that is one part Oireachtas Committee and two parts focus group’. Civil society group Second Republic, who have been campaigning for the introduction of an empowered Citizens’ Assembly for over a year, described the proposed agenda as ‘clearly too narrow’, and the Independent technical group report on the proposal states the projected remit is ‘hugely disappointing’.

Like this: Like Loading... MacGill papers « politicalreform.ie. Constitutional Convention looks to include a citizen assembly « politicalreform.ie. Constitutional Convention – Government Proposals. The Taoiseach met this evening with representatives of the opposition parties in order to consult with them on the Government’s proposals on the forthcoming Constitutional Convention. The opposition parties undertook to revert with their views within a week, following which a further meeting is envisaged. Background The Programme for Government (PfG) contains a commitment to establish a Constitutional Convention. The Government has approved the establishment of the Convention and has agreed in principle arrangements for its structure and operation as outlined below. The purpose of this paper is, as promised by the Taoiseach in the Dáil, to consult formally with Opposition Party Leaders on the Government’s proposals.

The Government’s proposals deal with: the basis on which the Convention will be established; the topics it is to consider; its working methods; its structure and supports; and follow-up on its recommendations. Basis of Establishment Topics to be considered by the Convention. Cork290911.pdf (application/pdf Object) Feasta: the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability. Claiming our Future meet in Cork to rate political parties on re : Impact Trade Union -

A taste of conference - #ictuwomen14 from Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Vimeo. A taste of conference - #ictuwomen14 Capturing some of the voices of the amazing women who were at the ICTU Women's Conference 2014, this short video looks at the issues, the people and the hot topics discussed in Wexford on March 6th & 7th. For more check out #ictuwomen14 on Twitter for comments, photos and discussion. 7 April 2014 The science has got pretty stark on climate change by Oisin Coghlan, Director of Friends of the Earth Last Autumn, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) told us we are now as certain that humans...continue reading.