Projects
The Slugger Awards
In its own informal way, Slugger as acted more as a critical friend than fawning acolyte or jaded oppositionalist. Unlike most major political blogs, Slugger is conciously pro-political. We want to improve the quality of the politics that we cover. And that means catching politicians being good occasionally.
This project was launched in 2008 and culminating in in a lively awards evening. Sponsored by Channel 4, MWH Worldwide and Stratagem NI, the event attracted over 250 attendees including MLAs, councillors, journalists and bloggers at The Atrium space in Belfast’s Odyssey Centre W5 venue. You can visit the official Awards website, or download a full-colour impact report (PDF).
These awards are destined to be an annual event, and will form the main awards event in Northern Ireland’s political calendar. If you would like further details of sponsorship opportunities, please contact Paul Evans on +44 (0)7973 714206, or email us.
PICamp
In May 2009, Slugger launched ‘PICamp’ – the Political Innovation Camp with kind assistance from Queens University Belfast and Weber Shandwick Consulting. Convened in two weeks, this event was the first political ‘Unconference‘ that has been held in Northern Ireland.
It received over 50 attendees and attracted a good deal of media attention including coverage from BBC’s Hearts & Minds programme (see below). The PICamp idea has grown legs and has formed a cornerstone to NESTA’s ‘Reboot Britain’ initiative with a London launch during July 2009.
PICamp events will be rolled out at events throughout the UK and Ireland during 2009-10. PICamp aims to build up a community of people interested in promoting political innovation. You can visit the PICamp site and register to keep informed here.
